How do you follow up and stay connected after orientation?

1 Send thank-you notes

A simple but effective way to show your appreciation and professionalism is to send thank-you notes to the people who facilitated your orientation. Whether it's your manager, HR representative, trainer, or mentor, a brief and sincere email or handwritten note can go a long way in building rapport and trust. Express your gratitude for their time, guidance, and support, and highlight something specific that you learned or enjoyed from the orientation.

2 Review your orientation materials

Orientation can be overwhelming and you may not remember everything that was covered. That's why it's important to review your orientation materials regularly and refresh your knowledge. Go over your employee handbook, policies, procedures, benefits, and goals, and make sure you understand them. If you have any questions, clarifications, or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to the appropriate person or department for assistance.

5 Join employee networks and groups

A great way to expand your network and stay connected after orientation is to join employee networks and groups that interest you. These can be formal or informal, online or offline, and based on different criteria such as function, location, project, or affinity. Employee networks and groups can offer you support, mentorship, learning, and socializing opportunities, and help you feel more engaged and connected to your organization's culture and values. You can also contribute to these networks and groups by sharing your ideas, insights, and experiences.

6 Seek learning and development opportunities

Finally, one of the best ways to follow up and stay connected after orientation is to seek learning and development opportunities that can help you grow and advance in your career. These can include online courses, webinars, workshops, podcasts, books, articles, or other resources that are relevant to your role, industry, or interests. You can also look for internal opportunities such as shadowing, mentoring, cross-training, or volunteering for projects or committees that can expose you to new skills, knowledge, and perspectives.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?