Onboarding the new hire

Onboarding is the final step of the best practice hiring process, but its significance is often underestimated. While a warm first-day welcome is important, onboarding is about much more—it’s a structured, thoughtful plan for the first 100 days to ensure the new hire integrates successfully and begins contributing to organisational goals.

Why Onboarding Matters

Hiring is expensive, and replacing an employee costs at least the annual salary of the hire. Effective onboarding minimizes this risk, addressing potential issues early and setting the stage for long-term success. Poor onboarding can result in disengaged employees, misaligned expectations, and early turnover.

Think about your own onboarding experiences. Were they structured and supportive, or disorganised and unhelpful? Watch the video below to see an example of poor onboarding and reflect on how it might feel for a new hire.

Self-check quiz

How do you think the new employee felt in this scenario?

1. Probably bad
2. Probably good

What Onboarding Is—and Isn’t

Onboarding is not just a formal process of introducing office rules, safety procedures, and access codes. It’s a carefully planned integration process designed to:  

• Prepare the new hire for their role.  
• Align them with team dynamics and organizational goals.  
• Ensure stakeholders are ready to support their success.

Onboarding spans beyond the first day, encompassing the first 100-120 days. It’s about making sure:  

• Everything is ready for their start (workspace, tools, etc.).  
• Stakeholders have planned time to guide and meet the new hire.  
• Key goals and expectations are discussed and aligned.

Getting Onboarding Right: The First Day 

The first day sets the tone for the employee’s experience. Here are some essentials:  

• Practical Preparations: Ensure the workspace, laptop, and necessary tools are ready.  
• Time with the Hiring Manager: The manager should free their day to greet, guide, and inform the new hire.  
• Team Introduction: Arrange a social event or meeting to introduce the new hire to the team.  
• Stakeholder Meetings: Schedule personal meetings to discuss role expectations and immediate goals.

Watch the next video to see how a well-executed first day can make a difference. 

The Importance of Team Understanding

To foster collaboration and minimize conflicts, new hires must understand their team’s dynamics. Conducting a team workshop during onboarding allows everyone to:  

• Identify strengths and opportunities for collaboration.
• Build trust and avoid misunderstandings.

Watch the mini-lecture below to learn more about why onboarding is vital for both individual and team success.  

Onboarding Beyond the First Day  

First Week(s): Building Momentum

During the first week(s), the focus is on:  

• Attending key meetings with stakeholders, collaborators, clients, and partners.  
• Reviewing materials such as guides, plans, and team structures.  
• Planning the first 100 days—aligning on immediate goals, quick wins, and longer-term objectives.

First 100 Days: Execution and Alignment  

The first 100 days are critical for delivering on agreed goals. During this time:  

• The new hire focuses on their 100-day plan.  
• The hiring manager provides consistent coaching, guidance, and feedback.  
• Dedicated time for one-on-one and team meetings is crucial to track progress and address challenges.

Regular feedback, including 360-degree reviews, helps the new hire understand their performance and build stronger relationships within the organization.

How Can You Use Wisnio for Successful Onboarding?

Onboarding isn’t just about logistics—it’s about fostering an environment where new hires can thrive. Wisnio’s onboarding tools help you achieve this by:

• Integrating New Hires: Helping your new hire adapt to the team and establish strong working relationships with colleagues.
  
  
• Aligning Objectives: Facilitating alignment with key stakeholders on objectives and expectations for the role.
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• Focused Development: Using insights into the new hire’s core strengths and development areas to craft a tailored plan for their first months.

By leveraging data on values, personality traits, and competencies, Wisnio provides actionable insights for onboarding workshops and alignment meetings. These insights ensure the new hire and team start on the same page.

Reflection and Quiz

Self-check quiz

Is onboarding simply a formality that has to be completed with new employees (office rules, access codes, safety procedures, etc.)?

1. Yes, it is just a formality.
2. No, onboarding is more then that.

With a structured onboarding process in place, your new hire is set up for long-term success. This concludes the Hiring for Executives course. Remember, hiring is not just a process—it’s a critical investment in your organisation’s future.