{"id":7957,"date":"2021-05-17T16:41:29","date_gmt":"2021-05-17T13:41:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/?p=7957"},"modified":"2021-05-17T16:41:29","modified_gmt":"2021-05-17T13:41:29","slug":"improve-remote-onboarding-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/2021\/05\/improve-remote-onboarding-process.html","title":{"rendered":"How to improve your remote onboarding process"},"content":{"rendered":"
The first day on a new job can be exciting and nerve-wracking \u2014 especially for remote workers. Starting a new job after an entirely virtual interview and hiring process can be an impersonal and isolating experience. But a good remote onboarding process can help address these concerns and ensure the start of a productive career<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The shift to remote work in the wake of the pandemic has transformed a lot of business functions \u2014 including onboarding. The sudden and unexpected rush to go remote hurried digital transformation, and many organizations created interim plans.<\/p>\n

But you, like many companies, may plan to keep some of these changes going forward.\u00a0Remote work is no longer “just a temporary solution.” More and more people will be looking for remote job opportunities.\u00a0<\/strong>And if you want to attract and retain top talent, now is the time to rethink your onboarding process and make it a springboard into a healthy and long-term employee relationship.<\/p>\n

How is remote onboarding different?<\/h2>\n

Onboarding is how the relationship between the company and the employee starts. And it has a big impact on how it continues. According to SHRM<\/a>, companies with a strong onboarding process improve employee retention in the first three years by 69%.<\/p>\n

The key to success with virtual onboarding is to understand the strengths and challenges of doing things remotely.<\/p>\n

The good…<\/h3>\n

Remote onboarding is more streamlined.<\/strong>\u00a0And faster. The literal process of signing on to the team is simplified by the conveniences of reduced paperwork. Contracts and manuals can be distributed, signed, and filed digitally.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0bad…<\/h3>\n

Physical distance can make routine parts of onboarding remote employees more complicated or even off-putting. For example, equipment and account setup can get challenging<\/strong>. It’s less convenient when you have to ship computers and office supplies. And not having an IT team member present can add to the challenge. Employees are left to troubleshoot on their own or get virtual coaching.<\/p>\n

… and the ugly<\/h3>\n

Perhaps the greatest challenge with remote onboarding is the lack of in-person communication<\/strong>. Never having physically met managers, HR reps, or team members can leave new hires feeling isolated. If the process is too streamlined, you run the risk of making it impersonal and disengaging.<\/p>\n

Building a better remote onboarding experience<\/h2>\n

Your remote onboarding process should achieve some very specific goals. On the one hand, you want to make sure your remote employees are up to speed and start being productive as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s a long-term factor as well. The business impact of onboarding is more than just immediate productivity. Long-term success and employee retention both depend heavily on employee satisfaction<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

If you want to be successful and competitive, you can’t just replicate what you\u2019ve already been doing in person<\/strong>. You need to create new, innovative methods of helping onboard remote employees. If you want a truly effective onboarding experience<\/a>, building a strong connection is critical.<\/p>\n

\"Remote<\/p>\n

3 steps for effective remote onboarding<\/h2>\n

When hiring employees remotely, it’s best to break down your onboarding plan into 3 steps.<\/p>\n

Step 1: Before\u00a0the first day<\/h3>\n

A lot of what sets the stage for successful employment should happen before day 1. After interviews are done and an offer has been accepted, be ready to let your new hire know exactly what to expect. Don\u2019t leave them hanging out, waiting to hear from you, and unsure what to do in the meantime.<\/p>\n