33% of new employees quit within the first 90 days, and there are as many reasons for that as there are employees. Regardless of the reason, however, it’s important for companies to do everything in their power to retain as many new hires as possible, as the process of finding new recruits is both time-consuming and expensive.
Improving your onboarding process and retaining new employees seems difficult, but it can actually be achieved in a few simple steps. So, let’s take a look at five of the best methods that’ll help companies improve their onboarding process, saving time and money along the way.
1. Streamline the Onboarding Process
It’s crucial for companies to have a formal onboarding process that they follow consistently. Without a formal outline in place, you’d be overlooking so many things. New employees might not have received the IT resources needed for the job, they might not have been properly informed about the expectations and goals, etc.
And there are many tools and software that can help streamline this process, making it even more efficient and easier to follow. Automating the onboarding checklist saves everyone time and energy. It’s easier to gather data about the employees, keep track of their progress, and keep them informed about the workflow.
2. Deploy eLearning Software
Online training software is the perfect solution for streamlining the onboarding process. It brings countless benefits both to the company and to new employees.
When it comes to companies, first of all, eLearning software helps them increase revenue. It gives them better insight into the development of the new employees, showing their strengths and weaknesses so that the managers can offer better support.
As far as new recruits are concerned, most eLearning software has dashboards that provide them with immediate feedback. Employees can quickly find out what they’re doing right and wrong, and feedback can be customized to point them in the right direction and suggest the best course of action.
Online training software offers room for self-paced learning, ensuring that all new employees are mastering all the necessary skills. Slower learners can go over the topics as many times as needed, while more advanced learners can skip ahead if needed.
3. Engage New Recruits ASAP
The number one mistake that most companies make with new employees is disregarding them and their input in the first few weeks. This can leave them feeling isolated and unwanted, and it’ll prevent them from building relationships with the rest of the team.
While it’s important not to overwhelm the new recruits on the first day, giving them the opportunity to express their opinions in meetings, or asking them to do some research and give you feedback can work wonders, leaving a great first impression on them. This will show them that they’re an important part of the company and that you respect and value the things they can bring to the table. An added bonus is that they’ll feel more motivated and become more productive. When new employees feel appreciated, they’re more likely to stay loyal to the company.
4. Build Relationships
Millennials account for over a third of the U.S. workforce, and the best way to keep them loyal and motivated is to build strong relationships with them right from the start. Just like new employees try their best to leave a good impression on the first day, so too should the managers.
After day one is over, make sure to regularly check up on the employees and find out if everything is going well. Get to know them, and give them a chance to get to know you too.
5. Help New Recruits Achieve their Goals
Unless the new hires are given the opportunity to grow and develop, you cannot expect to retain them. Offering career training and development would keep 86% of millennials from leaving their current position, and much job satisfaction is in the hands of managers.
During the onboarding process, it’s crucial to let the new hires know exactly what the company’s goals and objectives are, what the key performance indicators are, and what the promotion system is like. Constantly communicating with new employees, helping them figure out whether their goals match the company’s, and guiding them on the path to success is invaluable both to the company and to the employees.
Closing Remarks
Improving the onboarding process is essential to increase the retention rate of new employees, especially when it comes to a younger workforce. Having a streamlined onboarding process will ensure that nothing is overlooked and that new employees and managers are always up to date.
Investing in eLearning software will make it easier for both parties to keep track of the progress made while engaging the new employees immediately and building strong relationships with them right from the start will ensure they stay motivated and productive.
Lastly, helping them set and achieve their goals will keep them loyal, and can offer many wonderful benefits. A company can only be successful when its employees thrive, so giving them opportunities to move up the ladder is essential.