When a college graduate enters the workplace, it may be the first time they’ve ever worked for an employer. Naturally, recent grads will be nervous and uncertain about their new life as an employee, and it may take longer for them to settle in. To help make the adjustment a little easier for college grads, give them a warm welcome by doing and saying the following.
Tell Your Staff
New employees shouldn’t be a common occurrence for your company unless you’re expanding so fast that you have to conduct a mass hiring campaign. Other than that, your other employees will likely be surprised by the arrival of someone new. If you don’t warn your staff ahead of time, it will become highly awkward for them to interact with each other, which will hurt your team.
Warn all your employees that someone new is coming and what their name is. It’s best to conduct a meet-and-greet, so everyone can get to know them sooner.
Be Prepared for Their First Day
When you green your new employee, ensure you have all the documents and starter papers they need to start their employment. You’ll look unprofessional and uncaring if you’re scrambling last minute to print their employee package. Set up their workstation and their passwords ahead of time to give a tutorial of the system and not force your employee to watch you get ready.
Ask Them to Come in Later
If you can’t find the time to set up before your employee arrives, ask them to come in an hour or two later. You should do this when you schedule their first shift, and not because you’re running late. By the time you tell them, they’ll already be in the car. Asking them to stay home last minute will frustrate your staff, so give them a late start ahead of time, even if you won’t need it.
Give Them Gifts
When your new employee arrives, hand them some congratulations flowers, a notebook, or something else useful, like a coffee mug. Explain to them how excited you are to have them at your company and why you think they’re going to fit in. That will boost your recent hires’ confidence significantly since they’re likely already scared of being in a new environment.
Nominate a “Buddy”
Speak to another employee before the new hire arrives to nominate them as a buddy. Never spring this on them while the new hire is standing in front of them, or you may make them uncomfortable. Using the buddy system ensures that your new hire has made at least one friend and has someone to talk to about business-centered rules, social rules, and company culture.
Introduce Everyone at a Lunch
Walking around the office may feel a little awkward, so don’t do that. Instead, either hold a meeting to introduce your new hire all at once or take the team or business out to lunch. Never let your employee eat lunch alone because it makes them feel unwanted. Instead, either ask a team member to introduce themselves to the new employee or ask their buddy to do it.
Give Them Enough Work
During the first week, your new hire is probably going to work at the speed of sound. New hires, especially college grads, are looking to impress you. They want you to see how fast and accurate they are at completing tasks. Fortunately, there’s probably something for them to do at all times as long as you delegate the work properly. Above all else, don’t let them get bored.
End-of-Week Review and Bar Nights
Feedback is essential for new employees because they want to know if you like them. At the end of their first week, tell them how you feel about their work ethic and skills, but don’t focus too hard on their mistakes. They won’t be perfect in their first week. After their review, shut the office down early (if possible) and invite the office for drinks to congratulate the new employee.
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