Each new member you add to your team can impact the corporate culture in substantial ways as well as alter workflow, productivity and more. The person you hire will play a major role in how beneficial the individual is to the company. How you bring them onboard is also a critical component to the benefits that they can provide. But what is onboarding?

So, yes, you may be asking the above question as well. You may also not know how to complete it properly. Therefore, take time to learn more about the onboarding process as a first step.

10 Ways to Properly Answer the Question: What Is Onboarding?

1. Begin With the Interview

When some people ask what is onboarding, they think that the process begins on the employee’s first day. This is actually not correct. Onboarding begins when the applicant first meets with you for the interview.

• An interview provides you and the applicant with an opportunity to discuss the position openly.
• You can also determine how the individual’s skills and experience can benefit the company.
• The conversation should also include how the individual will benefit from working in the position.

Essentially, the interview can be a type of early introduction to the company and to the position.

2. Acquire Top Talent

The next step in the onboarding process is to select your preferred applicant with care and to offer him or her a handsome compensation package. Some people may try to skimp on salary and compensation. So it is important to keep overhead as low as possible for the benefit of the company as a whole.

However, keep in mind that the offer will impact how the individual views the company and the position. In addition, it can affect if the individual accepts the position at all.

3. Gather Their Employment Documentation

As soon as the applicant accepts the position, you can begin working with him or her to gather all appropriate employment documentation. When most people ask what is onboarding, they may think about this step in the process.

This is when you make a copy of the applicant’s citizenship and identification documents. Also, you may ask him or her to sign tax forms documenting federal tax withholding preferences.

4. Set Up Employee Benefits

If you have a larger company, you likely will offer your new team member access to a wide range of benefits. You should plan to spend ample time explaining the benefits when you ask what is onboarding. This is preferred rather than simply handing the employee a stack of booklets and paperwork to review. The individual may appreciate a verbal explanation of benefits or a quick summation rather than having to spend his or her free time sifting through brochures.

In addition, it can be helpful to provide the individual with time to complete some of the paperwork with the human resources professional on hand to assist him or her and to answer questions. Providing this hands-on support can facilitate the process for your new hire.

5. Equip Your New Team Members

Onboarding will continue when you outfit your new team member with all of the tools and resources he or she will need to do the job.

• You will show him or her to a desk or office.
• Then, you will give the individual all of the technology necessary. This may include a company-provided cell phone, a computer or laptop and other technology.
• Offer training assistance with items that he or she is not familiar with.
• Moreover, give him or her time to set up passwords and to become familiar with the devices.
• If you use special programs or software, you may need to set up a formal training session to bring the individual up to speed.

6. Complete In-House Training

Another step to explore when you ask what is onboarding is the in-house training session. Many mid-sized and larger companies have special videos or in-house workshops that employees are required to view or attend on their first day on the job. These may explain company culture, the history of the company, the corporate mission or objective. Most of the time, they include other important details that the individual may not be fully aware of.

This step in the process can ensure that all employees are on the same page. If you have a smaller company and do not have this type of presentation to provide to employees, consider having an office meeting to discuss these details with the employee one-on-one.

7. Set Up In-House Mentoring

You will also need to train the employee about the proper ways to complete different tasks in his or her position. In-house mentoring with one or several different team members is a great way to complete this step in the onboarding process.

Talk to each of your team members about the specific objectives you want them to complete with their aspect of the mentoring process.

8. Add New Responsibilities Slowly

It can be overwhelming for even a highly intelligent and fully capable individual to learn the ropes at a new company. With this in mind, it may be helpful to give the individual a few responsibilities or tasks at a time.

Once he or she has mastered those tasks, you can add new responsibilities. Do this until the team member is fully up to speed.

9. Incorporate New Team Members Into Company Culture

The employee should be included in as much of the corporate environment or culture as possible.

• Encourage the new team member to join the group for volunteer activities on the weekend.
• You can also plan a team building activity during office hours.
• Schedule a group lunch or a happy hour after work.

These can help him or her to feel like part of the team.

10. Provide Oversight and Constructive Criticism

As the new hire begins taking on new responsibilities, it is important to oversee the work as much as possible. Indeed, nobody likes a micromanaging supervisor. But in the early days of the employee’s time in the company, it is important to ensure that he or she is doing things right.

Provide constructive criticism. Once you see that the employee has mastered tasks, feel free to back off. Give the employee space to work confidently and independently.

Steering the Wheel

By asking what is onboarding, you can see that this is not a one-step process. There are multiple steps that are each equally important in the overall process.

You ideally want the new hire to feel like part of the company and to be fully productive within a short period of time. Through the proper onboarding steps, you can most easily accomplish this goal.

Images: depositphotos.com.