Can you still remember your first day at work? You step out the door in the morning full of healthy excitement: did you put on the right outfit, did you have to bring your own lunch or not and where should you actually report?
And will you remember all those new names and information quickly enough? Pretty exciting! Therefore, as an employer, make sure you have good Preboarding. This way, new colleagues start their first day prepared and a lot more relaxed.
What is Preboarding?
Preboarding is the process in which you involve a new employee in the organization, even before they actually start. This is the period between the acceptance of the job and the first day of work. Because as soon as the employment contract is signed, the new employee is in principle immediately part of your organization.
That is why it is important that someone feels welcome from that moment on. With a good Preboarding process, you ensure that new colleagues start their first working day even more enthusiastically. In this way, they are also well prepared for their Onboarding.
What is the difference between Preboarding and Onboarding?
Although the two terms are sometimes confused, there is a clear difference between Onboarding and Preboarding. The Preboarding starts as soon as the signature has been made.
The Onboarding process starts from the first day of work. This is really about properly training and training the new employee and making mutual expectations clear. The newcomer learns everything about the position itself. In addition, it is important that the employee immediately gets the feeling of adding value by being able to share his or her knowledge with the organization.
Why is good preboarding important?
If you want to have new employees up and running quickly, good Onboarding is essential. But did you know that Preboarding is just as important? When you start somewhere, there is quite a lot to deal with. With Preboarding, you prevent new hires from being overwhelmed by an information overload from the Onboarding Program. You cut up the information and also inform newcomers of certain things in advance. As a result, they know better where they stand and they are a lot more confident and enthusiastic about their first day.
And that enthusiasm is important, because even as an employer you only get one chance to make a first impression. A good introduction contributes to a good name in the market, making it easier to attract the best talent. Moreover, it prevents employees from leaving early or not showing up – especially if you work a lot with young people or flex workers. Because that would be a shame, of course!
How do you ensure a successful Preboarding?
For a successful Preboarding, it is important that you make the process as easy as possible for yourself and the employee. Because of course the idea is that you make your new colleague enthusiastic.
So avoid an information overload, which will scare him or her off. With Preboarding you immediately show how learning and knowledge sharing is organized. And so you can seamlessly continue the Preboarding in your Onboarding.
Keep the following points in mind:
- Collect information in one clear place and make it as easy as possible for your new colleague to access it (without logging in, for example).
- Also think about the environment. Insecurity is often shared with a partner, family or friends. Maybe something will change for them too (different working hours?). It is then super nice if your new colleague can show something tangible.
- Make it fun and excite the new employee (and his or her environment) with more than a bag with a pen, mug and notepad. Also consider:
- A video card with a welcome video.
- A link to an interactive video about appropriate clothing, working hours, travel options, etcetera.
- Some questions that lead to surprising facts about your organization and colleagues.
Bezorg je nieuwe collega een onvergetelijke ervaring
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Want to know more?
Is your Pre- and onboarding program in need of a thorough update or do you want to make a fresh start with a new design? Please feel free to contact us – we are happy to think along with you!
