Entering a new workspace presents many challenges to employees, but businesses also face the challenge of creating a welcoming environment for many different characters. Here are six things a company can do to optimize the onboarding process and make new hires feel welcome.

1. Get the Paperwork Done First

As most people in the workforce would agree, one of the most stressful parts of starting a new job is the initial paperwork. New hires have enough things racing through their minds, so make their lives a little easier by taking care of the paperwork before anything else.

Once they enter the building on their first day, have them fill out their personal information and necessary tax forms before they do anything else. This simple task will help keep them grounded and give them a sense of direction right from the start. It also acts as a rite of passage that confirms they officially have the job, which can boost their confidence moving forward.

With the paperwork out of the way, new employees can direct all of their energy and attention to the rest of the day’s events: meeting new people, learning their schedule, etc. 

2. Take Them on a Tour

One of the largest hurdles in a new job is learning your way around the workspace. You can put new hires more at ease by giving them a comprehensive tour of the company’s building. A stroll through the various departments, the kitchen, bathrooms and other office areas will help familiarize them with the building and introduce them to co-workers.

Still, you don’t want to go overboard with the tour’s depth. Giving new employees too much information at once can make them feel overwhelmed. A simple walkthrough should give them all the necessary knowledge to make it through the first few days. You should let them pick up on the workspace’s subtle details in their own time as they grow accustomed to the environment.

3. Personalize their Experience

An employee can quickly determine if a new work environment is right/wrong for them, and one of the biggest red flags is when the onboarding process looks the same for every new hire. Your onboarding should have structure, but it shouldn’t neglect each employee’s individuality. Use the information you picked up from their interviews to personalize their first days with the team.

For example, most people enjoy coffee in the morning, so surprise them with a new mug that’s customized for your business. These small gestures show new hires that you care about them as people, not just as employees. They can go a long way in making new hires feel welcomed. 

4. Give Them Opportunities for Feedback

Another great way to personalize a new employee’s experience is by giving them opportunities for feedback throughout the training process. Allow them to voice their opinions on various aspects of the training program so you can make improvements over time.

What do they think about the assignments? Do they identify/agree with the lessons? How will they apply the training to their daily work habits? By giving them opportunities to evaluate both the material and themselves, the training becomes more effective. You should also consider assigning a reflection essay at the end of the program so new employees can sum up their thoughts and determine a personal plan for success. 

5. Assign a Coach or Mentor

New hires feel more comfortable with a guiding presence around them, and the best way to give them guidance is by providing them with a coach or mentor. The coach can help them through the training program and be a constant source of information and encouragement. If the new employee has a question or concern, they know who to contact. 

Additionally, a productive coach/player relationship will establish a friendship between the two parties beyond the training program. Over time, your company can develop a tight-knit employee network that stems from former relationships between mentors and new hires.

6. Establish a Firm Schedule

Anyone in an unfamiliar environment quickly tries to develop a new routine. You can help your new employees develop their routines by establishing a firm daily schedule early on. Make sure they know what they need to do and when they need to do it. The employees will appreciate your proactiveness because it shows that you’re invested in them and want them to succeed. In response, they should feel welcomed and more motivated to prove themselves.

Additionally, routine and structure are simply better for everyone involved. Few things are more relieving than going to work and knowing what lies ahead. Give your new hires this sense of security by providing them with direction right from the start.

Make a Strong First Impression

New employees face the difficult task of quickly proving their worth in a new environment, but companies also face the task of convincing them to stay. Both parties must make a strong first impression to foster a productive work relationship. By giving new hires structure, helpful resources and a little bit of personalization, businesses can make them feel more welcome and more inclined to stay.