5 Tips for Employees and Managers: What Makes a Great Onboarding Program?
Yes, what makes a good onboarding program? You’ll often find articles with templates or steps for successful onboarding, but who are they written for? Here, you’ll get advice tailored to employees and managers on defining a strong onboarding program.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice – whether you’re starting a new job and going through onboarding, or welcoming a new colleague and planning the onboarding process – what would it be?
Onboarding trends evolve and probably always will. One day, one method is highly recommended, and the next, it’s something entirely different. That’s just the way it goes. You can’t ignore these trends; they give you a sense of how an onboarding program can look and where you might improve your own.
But maybe you already have some insights to share? If you’re an experienced employee or manager, chances are you’ve gathered a few golden nuggets along the way. Those tips you’d offer your younger self could help someone else, too, so let’s begin there.
CONTENT:
The Great Onboarding Program: Definitions, Benefits, Challenges
Tech at Work: The Best Onboarding Program Is (Almost) Digital
Employees: 5 Tips for a Great Onboarding Program
Managers: 5 Tips for a Great Onboarding Program
The Great Onboarding Program in Numbers
FAQ: What Makes a Great Onboarding Program?
The Great Onboarding Program: Definitions, Benefits, Challenges
What comes to mind when you hear the term onboarding program? Do you picture a classic process that new hires go through? Or maybe a software solution that helps tailor the experience?
The answer probably depends on whether you’re starting a new job or leading recruitment. Your understanding of an onboarding program can differ depending on your perspective, but no matter how you look at it, there are benefits and drawbacks to consider.
The Employee Perspective: Pros and cons of a good onboarding program
A well-structured and thoughtfully executed onboarding program can be key to retaining and engaging new employees from day one. A company can take countless approaches, such as mentorship programs or hands-on follow-up sessions, to create a smooth and welcoming experience.
If you’re a new employee about to go through an onboarding program, here are some potential benefits and drawbacks you might encounter:
✅Benefits of a good onboarding program:
Structure and direction: It provides a clear framework—you know what’s expected and when.
A sense of security: Helps new employees settle in both professionally and socially.
Shared foundation: Everyone starts from the same baseline with culture and processes.
Boosts performance: A solid start increases the chance of quick engagement and efficiency.
❌Drawbacks of a good onboarding program:
Too generic: It may feel irrelevant if not adapted to the individual.
Time pressure: Programs can be tightly packed, pulling time from daily tasks.
Lack of flexibility: A rigid format allows little room for questions or unique needs.
Boredom or fatigue: Too many slides or meetings can drain energy early on.
The Manager Perspective: Pros and cons of a good onboarding program
For managers, forgetting key steps in the onboarding process can be costly. That’s why a well-tested, adaptable onboarding program is crucial for success. Once your checklists and systems are in place, the next challenge is spotting where improvements can be made.
✅Benefits of a good onboarding program:
Faster onboarding: New hires become productive quicker.
Less confusion: A clear structure means fewer misunderstandings.
Improved retention: Good onboarding increases the likelihood of staying long-term.
Stronger employer brand: A professional process leaves a lasting positive impression.
❌Drawbacks of a good onboarding program:
Time-consuming: It takes planning, coordination, and presence.
Not always a perfect fit: Standardized programs may not suit all roles.
Team-dependent: If onboarding relies on many colleagues, delays can occur.
Follow-up is often forgotten: Without a plan, support may drop off too soon.
You might also like: Choosing the Right Onboarding Software: 6 Key Features You Need
Tech at Work: The Great Onboarding Program Is (Almost) Digital
Any onboarding program has pros and cons. But going back to that one piece of advice you’d give yourself, maybe it’s this: Make part of the onboarding digital.
Today, many organizations implement digital onboarding programs, often as part of an HR system like HR-ON Staff. A digital onboarding program can save time, standardize steps, and ensure every employee gets a consistent introduction while allowing for easy adjustments.
The best onboarding programs are now almost entirely digital. The system allows you to create specific onboarding tasks, helping new hires get up to speed more quickly and effectively. At the same time, there’s still room to accommodate personal and tailored aspects of onboarding so it doesn’t feel like a one-size-fits-all experience.
What Do We Do at HR-ON?
When new employees join, we often assign a team coordinator to manage the onboarding program. The coordinator uses HR-ON Staff to launch the process and assign relevant tasks and colleagues. To make the experience personal, the whole team contributes to a warm welcome, for example, by organizing a shared breakfast, casual conversations, and a friendly introduction to the daily workflow.
Employees: 5 Tips for a Great Onboarding Program
Starting a new job soon? Here are five valuable tips for navigating your onboarding program:
1) Do your homework: You’ve probably already checked the company’s website and social channels. It helps you understand the culture, tone, and what to expect on day one.
2) Take notes and ask questions: There’s much to absorb in the early days. Don’t hesitate to write things down and ask questions to get a clearer picture of your role.
3) Use your mentor or manager: The social part can be tricky. Lean on your mentor or manager to help you connect with the team.
4) One step at a time: Onboarding doesn’t end after the first day. You’ll receive a lot of information over time. Don’t stress—just take it one day at a time.
5) Give feedback: What worked well? What didn’t? Share your thoughts with your team, mentor, or manager so they can improve the onboarding program for future hires.
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Managers: 5 Tips for a Great Onboarding Program
Welcoming a new hire soon? Here are five key tips for running a successful onboarding program:
1) Have a plan and use your onboarding tool: A structured onboarding plan is worth gold. Use onboarding software to ensure all practical details, meeting invites, and introductions are organized and role-specific.
2) Keep it human from day one: No software can replace a genuine handshake and warm welcome. Be present, show interest, and get to know your new colleague.
3) Assign a buddy or mentor: Managers aren’t always the people a new employee interacts with. Pick a go-to colleague for those first few weeks.
4) Check in regularly: Hold 1:1 meetings during the onboarding period for alignment and support. A platform can help you track these and prompt good follow-up.
5) Ask for feedback and adjust: Actively seek feedback at the end of onboarding through a survey or casual chat.
The Great Onboarding Program in Numbers
Beyond offering new colleagues a strong start, a well-designed onboarding program has a real business impact. Studies show that onboarding programs can boost employee retention by 25% and increase performance by 11%.
It’s not just about having the logistics in place. Onboarding is just as much about investing in employee well-being, engagement, and long-term connection to the company. A great onboarding experience creates motivation, strengthens belonging, and helps new hires deliver value faster.
Give your onboarding program a little extra push with HR-ON Staff. The HR platform makes it easy to set up onboarding programs, assign relevant colleagues, and ensure new hires get the best possible start. With automated checklists, task distribution, and a complete overview, HR-ON Staff ties all the threads together in one place.
You can book a demo with our sales team or calculate your price with our pricing tool.
FAQ: What Makes a Great Onboarding Program?
What is an onboarding program?
A structured process that helps new employees get started professionally and socially.
Why is an onboarding program important?
It increases well-being and strengthens employee connection to the workplace.
What should a good onboarding program include?
Clear tasks, an introduction to culture and values, relevant documentation, and ongoing follow-up.
How can HR-ON Staff support your onboarding program?
HR-ON Staff makes creating, customizing, and automating onboarding easy with checklists and task assignments.
When should the onboarding program begin?
Ideally, before the first day. A strong onboarding program starts with preboarding and continues through the first few months.
