The process of bringing in a new hire to your staff can be a lot like introducing a boyfriend to your parents—awkward at best, uncomfortable at worst. And you can’t really blame the new hire; it’s not easy to walk into unfamiliar territory and meet new teammates. Being the ‘new guy’ can be lonely and nerve-wracking. Below are a few things you can do to ensure a softer landing for your new hire, while also getting the entire team in the onboarding transition.
Bring In New Hires as the Weekend Approaches
If you want to bring in a new employee when your team members are in a good mood despite being busy, do it as the weekend approaches, preferably on a Thursday or Friday. Mondays are usually the busiest times of the week, so any attempts to have team members teach the ropes to a new worker may be seen as an annoying distraction.
Plus, if you bring in a new worker on a Friday, you can even arrange for a night of drinks (first round on you, of course) to get your team to break the ice and socialize with each other.
Introduce a Buddy
There’s a reason the buddy system is so popular—it works. Sure, as the manager, you can facilitate introductions with team members and work process training, but the best way for a new hire to learn his duties is by shadowing a buddy or mentor. You can only offer so much guidance, especially when you have other things on your plate. A buddy will be in a better position to show a new hire the ropes by providing hands-on instructions, going on lunches together, and providing support when needed.
While a buddy has the main role of helping the new guy, other employees should still be encouraged to pitch in whenever they can.
Get a New Hire Acquainted with the Company Culture Right Away
Immersing a new hire into the company culture may seem counterintuitive, but it’s often the best way to make them feel a part of your team.
- By assigning them with important tasks and asking his thoughts on workplace matters, you can send the message that you value his input to the team.
- You can also encourage the new hire to create a list of goals he wants to accomplish while in his role.
- Get the new hire involved in social activities in and out o the workplace
- Make an active effort to ask for his opinions and listen to what they have to say
Looking to Staff Up?
If you’re in need of new employees in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, check out Snelling Georgia Group. We’ll work with you to determine a staffing strategy that fits, and the candidates your business needs to move forward. To learn more, contact us today!
