Onboarding vs orientation: key distinctions and reasons to use both

We all know how important first impressions are in meeting strangers But what is an employee's first impression of their new job? Onboarding and orientation are two essential processes that assist new employees to get started with a positive start. If you are debated about onboarding or orientation, this is the right article for you.

What exactly is new hire orientation?

New hire orientation is a process that helps ease employees into their new roles. It provides an opportunity for the new hires to ask questions, learn about company policies and expectations, and review their roles.

The orientations are usually held in with a conference format, which allows the new employees to get acquainted with the business in a group. Participants will be shown presentations that outline what the company's purpose is, go through the paperwork for employees, and discover how they can utilize their new benefits.

It's the perfect time to get all the things that are needed for housekeeping removed from the office, such as giving out ID badges, security code, and keys. The employees are shown throughout the workplace so that they know where to go for coffee, office supplies, as well as a bathroom break (all necessary items).

The reason new employee orientation is vital?

New employee orientation eases new recruits into their new position by allowing them to learn the ropes. So, they won't be able to work out how to navigate the office as they take on their new job responsibilities.

Making sure that your new employees are up to speed on your company's policies right from the start can help them avoid bumps in the road. Making the effort to assist your new recruits transition also shows them you care about how they will fit in with the company culture.

In the end, orientation for new employees is an exercise that is designed to help employees prepare for the training process. After orientation it's clear that they're in the picture and understand how their role fits into the larger company.

How to design a comprehensive brand new experience for employees to get started?

One of the most important aspects to have a positive employee orientation experience is emphasizing the importance of continuing learning. Make sure your new hires understand that you do not expect that they will be experts immediately. If employees don't hesitate to seek out answers and have the courage to ask questions, they will encounter less confusion and fewer mistakes.

Make your employee's experience similar to a classroom experience. Make a presentation or video that focuses on the business's objectives, goals, and principles.

Set aside a specific time to take care of paperwork and other items for housekeeping. Your HR representative can create videos or a video that teaches new hires how to make the most of their advantages.

It is also necessary to go over the necessary security and health protocols and give an in-depth tour around the premises as well as review the administrative processes.

In addition, you could have an IT expert on hand to help you understand the best ways to make use of any technological innovation your business can offer.

  pro tip: new hire orientation videos

Video is an integral part of any successful new employee orientation, whether it's taking place online or in person.

When you create your presentations for orientation in video format, they can be re-used and revisited as required. Your employees won't have to be concerned about digesting all the material in one sitting when they've got the video link to look back on.

Use the template provided below to make simple employee welcome videos:

In addition, the new recruits are able to introduce themselves to their new colleagues via video.

The following template will assist new employees in introducing themselves to their new team. It's unlikely that all employees have the time to meet the new employees during their orientation period This is an excellent way to get everyone acquainted in a synchronous manner. It's also a great method to allow employees to know each other in a remote workplace.

What is onboarding?

The process of onboarding allows new employees to be introduced to their department by engaging them in meetings and starter projects. The duration of orientation is usually up to a week however, onboarding could last for more than three months and includes orientation as one of the initial steps.

The process helps new employees get used to daily responsibilities at their new jobs. It boosts productivity and improve retention rates by as much as 82 percent. This is partially because easing the employees into their new jobs by easing them into their new roles significantly reduces anxiety. When orientation introduces a set of newly hired employees to the business Onboarding is more individualized and is focused on the integration of an person into the new company.

The reason why onboarding of new employees is crucial?

The process of onboarding enhances the performance of employees by giving them time to fully understand their work responsibilities. Making sure employees are aware of what they are expected to do and setting goals clearly improves their overall performanceand also the overall bottom line.

Since it's a 3-month time period for observation and starting initiatives, onboarding allows employees to gain a sense of intuition and inform their decision making once they've been fully onboarded.

The new hiring process doesn't just benefit the company, though. Managers are also able to understand and meet the needs of their new employees. The employees are allowed time to get used to the corporate culture. They become more comfortable communicating with colleagues, and to clarify their expectations when they check in with their managers.

How to create a comprehensive onboarding experience

Next, you'll need introduce them to the entire team they'll be working alongside (and within). The first day of their employment it's essential that they at least meet their HR point of contact, their hiring manager as well as the CEO. After that, schedule one-on one meeting with all the individuals they'll be working closely with.

Once your new hire is acquainted, take them through all the classes that are required for their role and then introduce a starter task to help them get started on the work.

Utilizing video to enhance your onboarding experience:

Video is an excellent addition to the onboarding experience. You can create videos on everything from training to simple introductions. These videos are a helpful resource for new hires to refer to and can also be reused and save time for those who are doing the actual training.

Here's another useful employee welcome video:

Wrapping up on onboarding vs orientation

So, onboarding vs orientationWhat's the final word? The truth is, you'll need both. The first is the onboarding issues, helping your new hires familiar with the company's procedures. Onboarding integrates new recruits into the appropriate departments, equipping them with the knowledge, resources, and training necessary for their success in the new position they are taking on.

If you really want to set the employees you hire for success, both processes must be followed. You can make videos that can automatize the majority of your training sessions so they can be used time and time repeatedly (even in remote hiring situations).