Make sure to WOW new hires

Positive first impressions for new team members is really important and frequently overlooked. We recently hired another new team member, which got me thinking about adding to our existing onboarding system. We always have waiting at the person’s desk a card signed by each team member, warmly welcoming the new team member. But I wanted to do more than that, so I created a short video for all new hires to watch before they do anything at our firm. After all, it is really important to make a big deal out of someone’s first day on the job. This is an important moment in this person’s life, and the average professional only has so many first days on the job in one’s lifetime, so let’s make sure it is a good one. The video I created for new team members:?

1. Enthusiastically welcomes the new team member. This new hire took a chance by joining our firm, so I want to give them a really strong and favorable first impression of our company. Perhaps they left their current job, or declined another job offer to join my firm. I want to show them they just made a really great decision by joining our team.?

2. Explains our vision statement, mission statement, and core values. While our job ads and interview questions go over and cover these things that make up our firm culture, I go over them briefly in the welcome video because they are so important to us and want to reemphasize them and what they are all about to new hires. This is really the most important portion of the video, because it is the most important part of our entire firm because it is our ‘why.’?

3. Gives information about me and my family. I want to give the new hire personal information about me so that they know who I am and what I am all about as a person. I feel this personalization helps to set the tone early in a strong and favorable way. Sure I am the boss, but I am a person and want them to know who I actually am beyond that.?

4. Explains the firm's origin story. The team member should know exactly how the firm came to be. This is important so that the team member can share this with both potential clients as well as existing clients. Does your team know your firm’s origin story??

5. Closes with another reminder of how excited we are to have the new team member. I double-down at the end of the video with an energetic reminder of how excited and hopeful we are that this new member will have a great experience with us filled with growth.?

I want new hires to be dialed in as much as possible right from the jump, and to be reminded they have just joined a very special company that is on the rise. I am happy to share the video with anyone who wants to see it. Send me an email at [email protected] and I would be happy to share it with you.