How to Ensure Your New Hire Has a Great First Day

Have you ever had a first day at a job that made you feel like you could work there forever? A new employee's great first day significantly impacts their work ethic, impression, and longevity with your organization. Read on to learn how to give a new employee a solid first day and why starting strong is crucial. 

Why First Days Are Important to New Hires

First impressions are everything, and that's especially true within the workplace. At a base level, the first day at a new job will help employees determine if they want to dedicate 40 hours a week to your organization. A disorganized, toxic, or otherwise off-putting workplace could convince new hires to immediately start looking for a new job, especially if they've had similar previous experiences or know better options are out there.

Beyond this, the first day can shape a new hire's work ethic and overall understanding of your organization. For example, if you don't have enough for your new hire to do on their first day and leave them aimlessly waiting for the next task, they may get the impression that this is everyday life working for you. On the other hand, if you give them a full yet informative first day, they may come back prepared to be just as busy the next day. 

By the end of their first day, new employees should thoroughly understand the ins and outs of your organization, including best practices and job expectations. 

How to Give a New Employee a Good First Day

The first day at an organization can be overwhelming for new hires. They often have to learn new information, names, and working styles while also doing their best to fit in with the rest of the team. As an employer, there are a few things you can do to ease this transition.

1. Have a Plan

Many employers take their new hires on tours of the workplace but then "let them loose" by leaving them to complete supposedly easy projects independently. Unfortunately, this could leave the new hire in an awkward situation if they aren't yet sure what to do. As a result, the new hire may feel overwhelmed, confused, or aimless – in other words, a less-than-ideal start.

If you leave your new hire with a task, give them set expectations with clear, written instructions to follow. This can help establish a strong work ethic for their time with your organization and help them understand your workplace's practices. 

Further, you shouldn't only plan one or two small projects and expect the new hire to wander around the office for the rest of the day. Make sure their day is full, informative, and impactful. Working with the new hire yourself or giving them an employee to shadow will go a long way. 

2. Find a Dependable, Communicative Employee to Shadow

Many employers ask new hires to shadow other employees or trainers when they first start. This is a great way to get the new employee used to your workplace style while integrating them with their colleagues, as long as the shadowing is done properly.

Work with the trainer or employee being shadowed beforehand to establish what information you'd like them to share. This can include office practices, technical errors to be aware of, formatting guidelines, instructions on operating equipment, and more. If you don't communicate this beforehand, the employee being shadowed may only teach the new hire the basics they believe are important while leaving out crucial details. 

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3. Leave Space for Questions

A new hire's first day is full of important information that's often thrown in their direction all at once. Because of this, you should always ensure you leave time for the new hire to ask questions. Questions may arise after explaining how something works, during projects, at the end of the day, and throughout their first few weeks.

Always remember that there are no wrong questions. It's reasonably easy for new hires to forget some information, so don't get stressed or upset if you have to repeat specific details. Regularly asking your new hire if they have any questions will keep conversations fluid and informative. If you don't give them opportunities to talk or ask questions, they may forget what they were confused about and neglect to bring it up until it becomes a problem. Open lines of communication will help you avoid this pitfall.

Onboarding Ideas and Resources

A new employee's great first day is determined by what the employee and employer put into it. If you show new hires you care about them, odds are they'll bring that same level of care into the job. Visit our Resource Center for onboarding ideas, expectations, and new employee onboarding best practices.