PIHRA Scope - Spring 2008 - (Page 16) A Red Carpet Welcome By Donna Cutting your first few days at your present job? Were you excited? Nervous? Did you worry about your ability to complete the tasks given to you or the impression you would make on your new co-workers? Perhaps you were concerned about the impression your new co-workers would make on YOU. You would not be alone if you were feeling a little lost during your probationary period. Many people do. Since you know how it feels to be the “new kid on the block,” you are the perfect person to put new employees for your company at ease. An employee’s first impression of your company is one key to whether they stay or go, and whether they engage or become disengaged. Here are just a few tips to help you give them a great first impression. Remember IT STARTS BEFORE THE FIRST DAY Send a Welcome Letter—When you hang up the phone after having said “You’re hired” take five minutes to write a welcome letter to your new team member. Better yet, send a letter to their loved ones!! Welcome their spouse and/or children to your “family” and outline, specifically, the qualities their loved one has that got them the job! You’ll blow your new recruit away with your thoughtfulness and be letting him/her know that family is important to you too. Call in the Troops—Early turnover also occurs when new recruits don’t feel part of the team. Enlist the aide of your current employees by having them send welcoming emails, make phone calls and write notes to welcome their new co-worker. © Crni_arapin | Dreamstime.com FEATURE ON THE FIRST DAY! Be There and Be Prepared! Have their work area stocked with all the tools they need to do their job effectively! Be sure you and their direct supervisor are available for them on the first day. 16 PIHRAScope Spring 2008 Make Orientation Fun! Just say NO to boring training videos. C’mon, you know you’ve walked into the training room and found new recruits asleep in front of the television. What does that say about the effectiveness of your training? One company sends its newcomers on a scavenger hunt to find key people, the copy machine, and other important information! It’s a great way to break the ice, have fun with training and encourage others to mingle with their new co-workers. http://www.Dreamstime.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.