Pre-onboarding. Collaboration doesn’t start on Day 1

Do you remember how you felt during the transition period between submitting your notice and the first day of work in a new place?

❗️ 80% of employed specialists feel uncertainty and stress on the eve of starting a new job.

❗️ 28% of professionals resign from a job offer right after accepting it. The reason for one’s resignation is the doubt whether I made the right decision and chose the place and role well for myself.

❗️ 1 out of 4 employees receives a counteroffer from the employer. Over 50% accept it.

What should the employer do to minimize stress, and not experience abandonment or even ghosting by the employee he is waiting for?

Take care of pre-onboarding.

Onboarding a new employee is a multi-stage process that is not limited to the first day of work. During pre-onboarding, the employer can take care of many administrative issues, but can also show a creative way of contacting and building relationships.

The common denominator of each of these ideas is CONTACT and COMMUNICATION.

  1. Conversation with the superior, during which we get to know each other, discuss goals and projects, and outline expectations.
  2. Onboarding-manual that will guide the new employee through the intricacies of internal systems, company identification, and method of communication (electronic version or Q&A recorded in film form).
  3. Recording a short video showing the office, workplace, and the team welcoming their co-worker.
  4. A nice gift – a package containing company gadgets useful at work, chocolates, and a card with wishes for a nice start to work.
  5. Invitation to a meeting or integration trip.
  6. Introducing Buddy, who can be a support for a new employee even before starting work.

Did you feel properly taken care of on the eve of starting work and during the onboarding process? What activities of employers were important to you and were memorable for you?

Monika Ciesielska
President at IMSA Search Global Partners. An experienced consultant in the recruitment of the management staff, including board members, and a leader of the recruiting team in the IT/Tech area. Enthusiast of digital transformation of HR processes. Podcaster at "Skrzydlaty HR" and "Top Leaders Club".
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