With the rise of remote work, companies have had to adjust all aspects of their work environment and that includes their onboarding process. In the tech industry, where employees are a key asset, seamless onboarding boosts retention and sets the stage for a productive, engaged team. This is the first exposure your new hire has to what it looks like to be a part of your company and it is something that your team should take seriously. In this blog, we will look at some of the best practices tech companies can implement to create a smooth and effective remote onboarding experience.
Before your new hire starts their first day, set the stage for what the onboarding process will look like. Share with them the timeline of this process and the communication channels moving forward. This will allow them to get comfortable with these channels and ask any questions before they start. It is important to make virtual onboarding as similar to an in-person environment as possible. Provide them with resources that they can use to familiarize themselves with different software or platforms. Give your new hire some smaller tasks that they can complete before their official start date whether that is setting up their computer or finalizing paperwork. Your company can also share any orientation videos that lay out your company’s structure, mission, values, or expectations.
Starting a new job in a virtual environment can make it hard to create connections as you aren’t interacting with your new coworkers in a “normal” setting. Use technology to your advantage and create personal welcome packages or swag. Thoughtful and practical gifts like company-branded merchandise or accessories can help fill that proximity gap and make them feel like they are integrating into your team.
It is important that new hires quickly get introduced to team members, no matter the department, to allow for personal connections to grow. These introductions will help employees put names to faces and get a grasp on who to contact for different questions or inquiries. It could also be helpful to assign a mentor to help guide them through their first weeks and be their go-to person. It can be intimidating having to communicate through a screen without knowing the person so having these introductions will cultivate a comfortable environment to reach out not only during the initial onboarding process but in their first couple months in this role.
Onboarding for tech positions needs detailed preparation. It’s crucial to clearly and effectively communicate the tools, platforms, and languages that the new hire will use in their work. Develop customized training plans that correlate with their skill level and role requirements. This could be different modules, live demos, or hands-on practices with specific tools and programs. Avoiding busy work and getting to real-time projects is a powerful way to integrate the new hire into their role and the team’s dynamic. Start with smaller, manageable tasks that will allow them to contribute from the beginning rather than just throwing them into the deep end.
The onboarding process mustn’t stop after a week or two. Ensuring that opportunities for growth and development are clear and accessible is key to a successful onboarding process. Initiate regular check-ins with new hires to assess their progress, address any concerns they may have, and ensure they are adjusting comfortably to their remote work. These check-ins also give them the chance to share any feedback on their onboarding or role responsibilities as a whole.
It’s never too early to start recognizing and rewarding your employees. When considering how to show recognition for your new hires, learn more about their interests, hobbies, and passions and tailor their rewards to those interests. Providing options regarding rewards sets a positive tone for your company’s employee appreciation. Even when doing remote work, offering a social lunchtime opportunity is a great way to build community. Look into sending a gift card through your rewards program, allowing them to enjoy lunch or a coffee break during their onboarding process.
The shift to virtual onboarding presents tech companies with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Utilizing technology, encouraging open communication, and offering ongoing support, ensures companies are welcoming their new employees into their teams but also setting them up for success as leaders in the future. As the work landscape continues to evolve and change, the strategies to bring tech employees together also evolve. Through adaptability and creativity, virtual onboarding can become just as impactful as it was when it was in-person.