Ways to Make Your New Hire Feel Welcome

Think back to the last time it was your first day on the job. It was pretty overwhelming, wasn’t it? Depending on how well it went, you may have been left with a less than desirable first impression of your new job.

The good news is that as the employer, you now have the chance to make your new employee’s first impression of your company a positive one. Here are a few tips for making your new hire feel welcome.

1. Show them you’ve been expecting them

Sometimes, when a new hire first arrives on the job, they discover that none of their new co-workers were even aware that they were coming. Or they see their supervisor scrambling to find them a workstation or the tools they need to do their job, like a computer or phone. It can be disheartening to the new employee and make them wonder why they were hired in the first place. You can avoid this by taking the time to prepare their workstation prior to their arrival and letting their new co-workers know which day their new team member will be starting.

2. Provide a grand tour of the office

A new office can be disorienting, especially when you don’t know anyone and you have no idea where anything is. Imagine needing to use the restroom on your first day and not knowing where to go. Start your new hire off with a tour of the office and facilities, introducing them to people as you go along. There’s little chance that they’ll remember everything, but it will help them feel more comfortable approaching people with questions later on if they know they’ve already been introduced.

3. Provide plenty of on-the-job training

Of course you plan to train your new employee, but make sure your training includes all the little things that a seasoned employee might take for granted, like how to navigate the phone system or how to use the copy machine. Don’t be afraid to start their job training on the first day. Just start with small, simple tasks and let them get comfortable.

4. Set them up with small, manageable tasks at first

Before you begin piling on all the big, complicated assignments, give your new hire a chance to ease into their new role. Smaller, less complicated tasks will give them a chance to settle in and build their confidence. Make sure to provide them with plenty of detailed instructions so they don’t feel overwhelmed.

5. Give them a mentor

It’s natural for someone to feel unsure of the specifics during the first few weeks of a job. You can help new hires deal with the confusion by assigning them a mentor who they know they can go to with all their questions until they get their feet under them.

6. Get the paperwork done as soon as possible

While not the most enjoyable part of the process, paperwork is essential. So get it out of the way as early as possible. It can help your new employee feel productive during their first day. You might even consider emailing them the paperwork before their first day so they’re ready to hit the ground running on day one.

7. Ask for their feedback

At some point near the end of their first day, be sure to ask your new hire how everything went. Do they have any questions? Was there anything that gave them cause for concern? Is there anything they need that you might have overlooked? Knowing that you are concerned about them can help them leave with a positive first impression of their new job.