New employee onboarding can be a make-or-break moment for a new hire. An employer must demonstrate the culture of the company by doing everything possible to ensure proper onboarding and a successful start to employment.
Below are key elements a new hire should look for in an organization during the onboarding process:
- How knowledgeable and helpful is the Human Resources Department? This person is one of the first employees you will meet. It is critical that he or she knows the company’s mission, vision, and values as well as a deep understanding of the benefits being offered. This person must be available to the new hire throughout the entire onboarding process and on an as needed basis throughout their employment.
- Did the Leaders of the company introduce themselves to the new hire by having a brief 15 minute in-person or virtual meeting? This is critical. It demonstrates the hierarchy of the leadership team, what their role is, and who reports to them.
- Speak to managers or other employees of the company and ask them what the company’s mission, vision, and values are. Also, ask them about the company culture and have them give you examples of positive and negative aspects of the organization.
- Is there room for advancement and growth in the organization? Get proof of this from current employees and/or managers. Most companies will say yes but later you find out there is no leadership training or guidance. This is one of the leading reasons employees leave companies. Employers cannot retain talented employees if they do not train them up and give them opportunities to grow.
- How long do employees stay with the organization? This is including executives in the C-Suite down to the lowest position in the company. Find out why they leave or why they are still with the company.
If you experience discrepancies and one or more of these key elements is not being practiced, it is most likely an indicator that the organization is not who they claim to be and not a right fit for you. Always trust your gut. In most cases, when your onboarding experience is not positive, it is a sure sign that the company is not managed or ran well. You will most likely find this out the hard way 6-12 months later.
