Remote Onboarding: Best Practices for Welcoming New Hires 🌟
Onboarding new team members remotely can be challenging, but with the right practices, it’s absolutely achievable! A great onboarding experience not only gets people excited about joining your team but also sets them up for success from day one. Here are some tried-and-true tips from iDelsoft, a remote-first company, to help you navigate remote onboarding effectively.
1. Prep Tech & Resources in Advance
Why it’s important:
Having all the necessary equipment, software access, and logins ready before your new hire’s first day ensures a smooth start. According to Harvard Business Review, prepping tech in advance is crucial for a seamless onboarding process, especially with remote IT teams.
Actionable Tip:
Avoid delays by thinking ahead. Make sure all devices, accounts, and tools are set up so that your new hire can dive into their role right away.
2. Start Early – Build the Connection Before Day One
Why it’s important:
Don’t wait until their first day to engage with your new hire. Building connections before they officially start will make them feel valued and excited.
Actionable Tip:
Send a personalized welcome package! This could include company swag like a t-shirt, notebook, or coffee mug, along with important HR documents and an employee handbook. Consider adding a surprise for their home office to build anticipation.
3. Create a Personalized Onboarding Plan
Why it’s important:
Each role is unique, so tailor your onboarding process accordingly. Setting clear goals and expectations for the first 90 days is essential for a new hire to understand their role and how they fit into the company’s vision and culture.
Actionable Tip:
Use platforms like People Managing People to set up personalized onboarding plans that outline specific tasks, team introductions, and KPIs.
4. Plan Out the First Two Weeks
Why it’s important:
The first two weeks can be overwhelming, especially for remote hires. A detailed schedule helps new hires ease into the company’s workflow.
Actionable Tip:
Create an easy-to-follow schedule using tools like Asana or Trello. Break down the first two weeks into small tasks, intro meetings, and training sessions, allowing the new hire to explore processes at their own pace.
5. Regular Check-ins Are Key
Why it’s important:
Don’t stop at an intro call! Frequent touchpoints help keep the new hire engaged and feeling part of the team. HBS Working Knowledge suggests regular check-ins to build relationships and boost comfort and productivity.
Actionable Tip:
Schedule daily or weekly virtual meetings to provide guidance, answer questions, and ensure they’re adjusting well.
6. Virtual Meet-and-Greets
Why it’s important:
Helping new hires get to know the team through casual meet-and-greets fosters a sense of belonging from the start.
Actionable Tip:
Organize virtual coffee chats or 15-minute Zoom calls with different team members. Icebreaker questions like “What’s your favorite weekend activity?” can help create a relaxed atmosphere.
7. Foster a Sense of Belonging
Why it’s important:
Remote workers can easily feel isolated. Virtual team-building activities, according to The Enterprisers Project, go a long way in helping new hires connect with colleagues beyond work tasks.
Actionable Tip:
Organize informal virtual activities like online team games or coffee chats to foster personal connections.
8. Assign a Welcome Buddy
Why it’s important:
A welcome buddy can guide new hires through the onboarding process and provide a support system for any questions they might have.
Actionable Tip:
Pair new hires with an experienced team member who can check in regularly and share useful tips, ensuring a smoother transition into the company.
9. Start with Simple, Confidence-Building Tasks
Why it’s important:
Starting with small tasks helps new hires build confidence before they take on larger projects.
Actionable Tip:
Give them manageable tasks like setting up email and project management tools or completing a quick report. These easy wins boost their confidence early on.
10. Offer Engaging Training Sessions
Why it’s important:
Mixing live and pre-recorded training sessions helps keep the onboarding process engaging and interactive.
Actionable Tip:
Host live Zoom sessions for job-specific training and offer pre-recorded videos for things like compliance. Add quizzes or tasks after each session to reinforce learning.
Final Thought: Make It Personal
At the end of the day, your onboarding process should feel human and personalized to each new hire. A thoughtful, tailored approach will make your new employees feel welcome, excited, and ready to contribute.
Tip: Even though it’s virtual, avoid making onboarding feel impersonal. Keep it fun and engaging—this will make a huge difference in how connected your new hires feel.
If you want to grow your business at your own pace and build a team, iDelsoft can help. We have a strong expertise that specializes in finding great tech talent and making your company stand out. Get in touch today to see how we can support your tech scaleup.
