Gaining a New Perspective through New Hire Onboarding

“New employees see the organisation clearest during the Onboarding”

 

 

Andreas Olesen

 

Pre & Onboarding Experiences

Onboarding is the period in which the employee sees the organisation clearest with all its pros and cons.


—Andreas Olesen, HR Business Partner for Trafikstyrelsen.

Andreas Olesen works within HR Business Partner for Trafikstyrelsen. His passion for HR is wide and he likes the idea of working with it from many different angles, from talent management to employment law.

One of the aspects that especially interests him ever since he started working within HR is to design the Onboarding process for new hires. He thinks that “this is a crucial time in the specific employee’s life cycle within the company. This is the period in which the employee sees the organisation clearest with all its pros and cons”.

Onboarding Insights

Onboarding is a crucial time in the specific employee’s life cycle within the company.


—Andreas Olesen, HR Business Partner for Trafikstyrelsen.

Onboarding Insights

Onboarding is a crucial time in the specific employee’s life cycle within the company.


—Andreas Olesen, HR Business Partner for Trafikstyrelsen.

In Andreas’s Own Words

“I have several different Pre & Onboarding experiences ranging from the great to the maybe not-so-great. For me, the not-so-great ones are those where there really is not anything in place. You are maybe given time to meet on your first day and that is it. You have no idea of what to expect or what kind of organisation you are entering. Furthermore, the organisation might not be ready for you when you start, meaning you are left by yourself with no guidance on how to find your way.

On the other side, the good Onboarding experiences are when the organisation is ready for the new hire. The hiring manager has a big responsibility of keeping the new hires in the loop even before their first day. It is crucial that the manager consistently sets expectations with the new hires and ensures they are guided into the organisation. Various presentations on the organisation in general are always great as info, but the most important thing is to keep your new employee close. How are they feeling with it all? Are their expectations aligned with the organisations?”

Onboarding Insights

The organisation might not be ready for you when you start, meaning you are left by yourself with no guidance on how to find your way.


—Andreas Olesen, HR Business Partner for Trafikstyrelsen.

Onboarding Insights

The organisation might not be ready for you when you start, meaning you are left by yourself with no guidance on how to find your way.


—Andreas Olesen, HR Business Partner for Trafikstyrelsen.

Lessons Learned

Be truthful with the new hires. Show them from the get-go how the organisation is. What are you good at and what do you need support with? This is an opportunity to bring them into the picture as well!

 

Applying Lessons Learned to Business Operations

“For me, the new hires have the potential to bring in a unique perspective on the organisation before they become a part of the culture. They might not have in-depth knowledge about the organisation, but they can challenge you on the processes you have in place within the organisation.

Also, remember to put yourself in their place. You have been new as well, so try to focus on some key points when engaging with them. They need to take so much in when they start, so try to give them the best advice for a great start with the company.”

Onboarding Insights

The new hires have the potential to bring in a unique perspective on the organisation.


—Andreas Olesen, HR Business Partner for Trafikstyrelsen.

Onboarding Insights

The new hires have the potential to bring in a unique perspective on the organisation.


—Andreas Olesen, HR Business Partner for Trafikstyrelsen.

Best Pre & Onboarding Practices

According to Andreas, these are the most important points for an excellent Pre & Onboarding process.

Training & Learning Guide

Encouragement Early On

Hiring & HR Working Together

Essential Info During Preboarding

The most important thing in the Preboarding process for me to know is: What are the managers’ expectations and details about the first period when I start. It is important that the manager reaches out after the contract has been signed to let the new hire know they are looking forward to them starting.

Here I would also find it beneficial to know the details from my manager on the first period of work. How will my first period be? What do they expect of me? Provide me with the needed practical details as well so I don’t feel ‘lost’. I would love to be aligned early on with my manager so I feel prepared and look even more forward to start.

Employee Insights

I would love to be aligned early on with my manager, so I feel prepared and look even more forward to start.


—Andreas Olesen, HR Business Partner for Trafikstyrelsen.

Employee Insights

I would love to be aligned early on with my manager, so I feel prepared and look even more forward to start.


—Andreas Olesen, HR Business Partner for Trafikstyrelsen.

Examples of Good Onboarding Practices

“I feel like the most important thing on the first day is to be ready for the new hire. There is not anything worse you can offer your new employee than simple things like not being there to pick them up in the reception area or having their computer ready.

Therefore, set time aside for your new employee and maybe even create a ‘school schedule’ for the first couple of weeks so the employees feel they are guided throughout their start.

Secondly, try and involve your new employees as early as possible. Encourage them to write down questions and perspectives in the first 1-3 months of their employment. Follow up on this and show the new employee that you take it seriously. As said, your new employee can often see things that you do not in your daily work. Let them know that you are interested in their input and follow up on it when action is needed.

Lastly, less is more. The new employee gets so much information in the beginning. Try and think about each and every one of them as their own individual. Not everything is relevant to all so the hiring manager and HR must work together on designing the best Onboarding for the specific employee.”

Develop an organised approach to the first day and beyond.

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Develop an organised approach to the first day and beyond.

 

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