Create High Impact Onboarding Experiences

Jan 7, 2025 | Podcast

World at Work podcast episode 101 Create high impact onboarding experiences

“Companies that provided a good onboarding experience had 82% improved retention.”

One of the most crucial parts of a company’s hiring process is the onboarding. Katie and I talk onboarding wins and how to create high impact onboarding experiences. Even if it’s not a strong point in your organization, there are small yet impactful changes that can make it a stellar one.

A seamless onboarding process isn’t just about throwing information at new hires. It’s about making sure they understand the purpose and values behind the organization they’re joining. One way to do this is to break up onboarding into small session with more focused conversation. Rotating time between different departments helps new employees get to meet various colleagues, while having the opportunity to understand the company’s culture and operations.

Companies with good onboarding experiences see an astounding 82% improvement in retention. Set the table for your new hires. Make sure that new employees know essential information, even the less traditional items like where the restroom is or where to park.

Include a schedule for ongoing check-ins after the initial orientation. Host have regular sessions with the cohort of new hire where they can come back together to share their experiences and continue to grow alongside their peers. It turns the overwhelming experience of starting a new job into a structured, supported journey.

Another critical takeaway is to be prepared. That could mean having the new employee’s workstation ready or by knowing how to correctly spell the new hire’s name. These small actions show you value your new team member right from the get-go.

Great onboarding isn’t about one-off actions. It’s a series of well thought out steps that make new employees feel welcome, engaged, and ready to contribute.