An important part of the recruitment process is the integration of new employees in the company. It is the responsibility of the employer to implement newcomers, and ensure that they feel comfortable from the very first days at work. Well-conducted onboarding, proves the professionalism of the company. This is an important aspect that will influence the opinions about you as an employer.

What is onboarding new employees?
Onboarding means the process of integrating new employees – implementation in the organizational structure of the company. These are all activities aimed at bringing closer such issues as:
- company strategy
- company values
- characteristics of services and products
- corporate procedures
- scope of duties
- business goals, etc.
For the new employee well-conducted onboarding, he is conditioned to quick adaptation to an unfamiliar work environment. And this translates into his effectiveness in the team.
After reading the relevant information about the company, the new employee may engage in promoting the company (with his own attitude, actions, etc.).
Integration of new employees – how long should it take?
It is impossible to define exactly how long the process of integrating new employees in the team should take. However, we often encounter onboarding, which coincides with the trial period (usually 3 months, but it may extend up to 12 months).
In each company, the integration process will be shortened or extended, and this is due to the factors such as:
- experience of new employees in a similar position
- company policies and procedures
- professional potential of new employees
- specific features of the position
Integration of new employees – how to organize?
It is worth getting ready to take in the new employee well in advance – even before his first day of work. It is about basic matters such as, e.g. setting up an e-mail box, organizing the workplace and the necessary equipment.
How to do it? Here are some advices:
- Immediately after the candidate has accepted the job offer, and even signed an employment contract, ask the IT department to organize a workplace, equipment and other means needed for work – e-mail address, telephone, computer, access codes, etc.
- Talk to the HR department to prepare the necessary documents, which should be signed on the first day of work (e.g. employment contract), as well as informing the new employee about what documents should he bring with him.
- Create a plan and schedule of activities, which you have to accomplish within a specific time frame – e.g. in the first week, the first month, three months, the year, etc.
- Most importantly – do not forget to inform the team about taking in the new employee to the company. For this purpose, we recommend sending a message to permanent employees, in which you will introduce the name and surname of the new colleague, position, starting date and what he will be responsible for in the company. Ask the team to prepare the information, which will help the new employee to get to know the company better.
Onboarding – schedule of activities during the first day and week of work
First day | The key moment of the new employee’s first day at work is to welcome him and introduce the team. Completion of formalities (signing an employment contract, handing over of equipment and workplace). Conversation, in which you will present the company’s organizational structure, calendar and scope of duties. Remember not to overwhelm your new employee with a lot of information on the first day. It should be properly provided, also taking some moments for short breaks during the day. Conversation with people, with whom the new employee will cooperate. |
First week | Providing training in software and systems, which the new employee has not dealt with before. Including the new employee in the mentoring program (assigning a person, who will support him and answer any questions and clear his doubts about the new job). Including the new employee in a meeting or project, which the company is currently working on. |
Do you already need new employees?