As a business owner, you need to make sure your employees can start doing the job they were hired for. So, you need a solid onboarding checklist. Getting a new hire acquainted with company procedures can be time-consuming and distracting to your work, but it doesn’t have to be. 

Here, we cover why it’s important to have an efficient onboarding process with tips to make your checklist efficient for your new hire. 

Why You NEED an Onboarding Checklist

When introducing someone to a company, you can’t just throw them in the deep end. Then, expect them to figure it out. 

A GOOD ONBOARDING WILL SET UP YOUR GROUND-ZERO HIRE TO BE THE SUPERHERO YOU KNOW THEY COULD BE. 

You need to take responsibility for onboarding team members the RIGHT way. Everyone knows you have a lot on your plate, but good onboarding will save you more than just money…

IT WILL SAVE YOUR COMPANY TIME AND IT WILL SAVE YOU YOUR SANITY.

To create a solid onboarding, it needs to be understandable and practical. This just means you need to create a system that new hires can actually follow and repeat. 

You can’t anticipate your employee who has never worked with your company to…

Know every procedure…

Understand the internal systems…

Or, follow the company’s routines.  

It’s up to you to design something easy to assimilate, from the outside in. 

Here are five ESSENTIAL tips that will help you create an onboarding checklist that is comprehensive for you and your future employees.

1. Outline the Job Functions and Duties

To start, you need to have a clear understanding of the roles that you are hiring for. A marketing manager is not going to have the same daily tasks and priorities as a salesperson. 

First, you need to actually figure out what the job duties are. Once you know what the tasks for this employee are going to be, ask yourself… 

“HOW DO I WANT THEM TO DO IT?”

For example, imagine you need to hire a receptionist. 

Some of their duties might include:

• Greeting guests when they arrive
• Answering phone calls
• Directing letters and packages where they need to be

Now that you know what the receptionist is going to be working on, how do you want them to fulfill their tasks?

MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE THESE EXPECTATIONS TO THE NEW HIRE. 

Once you decide the routines for the position, you need to introduce your employee to their responsibilities. One of the best ways to do so is with an orientation session.

2. Schedule an Orientation Session

Next on your onboarding checklist should be a 1-on-1 orientation session with your employee. 

A focused orientation allows you to cover the procedures that your new hire might encounter in their day-to-day schedule. 

When you’re introducing these processes, you need to make sure that they are predictable and easy to repeat.

Not to mention, an orientation session helps build familiarity between you and your worker. 

IT GIVES THEM SOMEONE TO TURN TO WHEN THEY NEED HELP. 

Alternatively, a lack of direction when onboarding will leave them confused and doubtful of your competence as a leader.

In short, it is paramount that you give your new team members the resources they need for success. 

3. Give them Instantaneous Feedback

Once they’ve gotten started, ensure when you see them make mistakes you correct them in the moment. 

Every new employee is going to be on a learning curve. Therefore, to expedite success, you have to call attention to operations. 

When you correct your hire, keep a professional attitude. Just because you are giving feedback, it doesn’t mean berating them or being passive-aggressive. 

AFTER ALL, COMMUNICATING EFFICIENTLY HOW SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

Giving feedback to an employee is a great opportunity to compliment them on what they’re doing right! When you offer encouraging advice, you reinforce the correct way to perform. 

POSITIVE COMMENTARY BUILDS TRUST AND MAKES CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM EASIER TO INCORPORATE.

By reinforcing positive performance and giving feedback in the moment, your employees will know that they are on the right track.

4. Establish Methods of Communication

In the onboarding checklist, at some point, you will step away from your new hires. But, you’re still going to need a line of communication between each of you. 

You need to ask yourself how you want to establish and continue the conversation between you and your employee. 

You have to decide:

• What methods of communication are you using (text, email, phone calls)?
• What times are best when communicating (all day or only certain hours)?
• Will you be having meetings to touch base, if so how frequently?
• Should they contact you directly or their immediate supervisor first?

Workers should be able to find answers to their questions through another employee or resource if you’re inaccessible. 

5. Update Your Onboarding Checklist Regularly

After you finish acclimating a new worker, check in with them to find out if the experience was positive…

 Or, if they needed more support. 

With that information, you should update your onboarding checklist to accommodate any glaring issues. 

Fine-tuning your checklist will help you onboard faster since you’ll be able to identify any issues new employees may encounter.

As an aware business owner, you can’t stop working when you’ve addressed all the present issues…

YOU HAVE TO BE A FORWARD-THINKER AND CONCENTRATE ON ISSUES YOU MIGHT ENCOUNTER IN THE FUTURE.

Why This Process is Worth the Effort

Onboarding a new employee can be draining and distract you from the stuff you need to get done. 

HOWEVER, IT IS ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE INVESTMENTS YOU CAN MAKE FOR YOUR BUSINESS.

You know what you need to make your business the best it can be — no one else will at first. Your onboarding process is a cornerstone for reaching your business goals…

Onboard them the right way to gift yourself more freedom in the future. 

Be Great,

GCTV Staff\

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