10 Things NOT to Do With Your New Hire Before Day One
You’ve found the perfect candidate and they have accepted your offer. Think you’re off the hook until their first day?
Not so fast! Concerned hubbies, wives, partners, family and friends can lead to cold feet, second thoughts, and employees not showing up on their first day. And then there are other recruiters who will continue to pursue your candidate and counteroffers from their current company.
You need to keep your new hires engaged before their first day, make them feel valued, and make it easy for them to start with your company and become a long-term employee.
Let’s review the top 10 things you should absolutely not do:
1. Don’t send strange gifts or ones that could be misconstrued
Stick with company swag or neutral gifts to avoid awkward misunderstandings.
2. Don’t be silent
Silence between the offer acceptance and first day breeds worry in the minds of your new hires. If you’re not talking to them, someone else is!
3. Don’t leave them alone and expect them to show up on the first day
You should have a steady stream of pre-boarding steps between offer acceptance and their first day, so your new employees feel engaged and valued.
4. Don’t leave a voicemail if they prefer text or email
Communication preferences vary. Show you’ve paid attention during the interview by contacting them via their preferred method.
5. Don’t stalk them on social media
Tempting, yes. But don’t do it.
6. Don’t make them worry
Your new employees shouldn’t have to worry about whether they made the right choice. Follow up after their offer acceptance with an email and/or text stating how excited you are for them to join the team.
7. Don’t make them wonder about anything
Provide all the information they need before their first day – where to go, what to wear, who to meet with, etc.
8. Don’t make them anxious about their first day
Help calm those first day jitters by letting new employees know you have a plan for their first day – and that it includes a team lunch, so they don’t have to worry about eating alone.
9. Don’t be unprepared
Have a structured onboarding for their entry into the company and share it with them. Let them know you have put thought into making sure they have a successful start with your company.
10. Don’t forget to meet them at the door with a smile!
You know your new employee is starting. Don’t make them wait in the lobby. Wait for them there and greet them warmly when they arrive.
