Onboarding Experience Comparison

Managers play a key role in setting the new employee up for success. There is a lot to cover and the process is often overwhelming for managers. These activities will help you prepare for a new hire.

Read two onboarding scenarios and compare and contrast the experiences.

Activity
The Onboarding Experience

Scenario One:
Ali has accepted a position with a new law firm as a Legal Analyst. She is excited to join the company and looks forward to her first day on the job. She was nervous when she arrived on her first day of work. As she entered the doors of the high-rise office building, she saw her new manager, John, waiting there to greet her. John brought her to her new office and made sure he introduced her to everyone along the way. He asked if she wanted any refreshments, told her to make herself at home and that he would be by in a few minutes to take her on a tour of the building and to get her employee ID badge. After the tour, John met with Ali in his office and told her how excited he was to have her. He briefed her about the company, the department and about himself. He shared with her a schedule for the next few weeks that included people for her to meet, training, orientation courses and other miscellaneous activities. The entire team took her to lunch and she spent the rest of the afternoon with her mentor and co-worker that would guide her through the next few weeks. Before she left for the day, John, walked her to the lobby and once again told her how happy he was that she joined the team.

Scenario Two:
Michael has accepted a position with a technology company as a cyber security engineer. Michael was excited about his new job and couldn't wait to get started. When he arrived on his first day of work, Michael was greeted by an HR person. The HR person informed Michael that his manager was out of the office today and that she would get him started on his paperwork. After a couple of hours spent in HR signing papers and reading through endless forms, the HR person brought Michael to his office and informed him that someone on his team would be by in a few minutes. Michael was surprised that his office had nothing in it. Not even a pen to write with. He quickly unpacked his things hoping to make it more like home. After 30 minutes had passed, Michael tried to find his way to the restroom. He didn't know how to get around without an employee ID to allow him access through doorways. Defeated, he went back to his office. A little while later, Bob, appeared announcing that he was his co-worker and that their boss asked him to provide Michael with security reports and some online training he should take. He said he was really busy and wished he could spend more time with him but he couldn't so for now he should review the reports and ask someone in the office to use their computer so he could take the online training. He handed him a logon to access the training and was on his way. Michael found a place to eat lunch, came back to the office and read the reports for the rest of the day.
 
Activity: Compare and contrast Ali and Michael's New Employee Onboarding experiences by answering the following questions.

1. What are Ali and Michael's first impressions of the organization and their managers?

2. How engaged or motivated are Ali and Michael feeling about their new job?

3. What might Ali and Michael tell their friends or family about their first day on the job and their new organization?

4. What is the likeliness that Ali and Michael will succeed at their job role and stay with their organizations?