Onboarding is how recruiting and HR teams settle new hires once they have officially joined. It matters because it is when new employees learn about the organization and the job they were hired to do. This article explains how virtual onboarding differs and gives a practical virtual onboarding checklist.
How is virtual onboarding different?
Virtual onboarding has the same goals as in-office onboarding, but managing it remotely takes a slightly different approach. The steps below will help you run effective virtual onboarding for new employees.
Spread onboarding over a week
It may seem important to onboard employees as quickly as possible, but learning everything in one day is overwhelming. That is especially true when new hires are also new to working from home for your organization.
The departments involved should plan a one-week schedule instead of a single day, and walk new employees through the plan so they feel comfortable with it.
Set up equipment and systems before day one
The time between an employee accepting the offer and starting work is when the hiring team should make sure every resource is ready. This can include:
- a desktop or laptop;
- hardware peripherals;
- internet access;
- the tools and software the organization uses.
Hold regular video check-ins
Once onboarding formalities are complete, introduce new employees to their work and the main tasks they will handle in their first week. Daily or weekly video calls give them an overall picture of their role.
These calls also show how comfortable they are with working remotely and how they are getting along with their teammates.
Help new hires get to know the team
To ease the awkwardness between existing remote employees and new hires, the onboarding team can plan engaging activities that help everyone get to know each other informally. Ideas include regular team conversations, online discussions on general topics, and check-ins on how new hires are settling into their work. These help reduce their nerves and make them comfortable in their new environment.
Key takeaways
Remote work can make onboarding feel harder for employers and employees alike, but a clear plan makes a real difference. When put into practice, these steps help employers run virtual onboarding successfully:
- Spread onboarding across a week.
- Have equipment and access ready before the start date.
- Check in by video regularly.
- Create chances for new hires to connect with the team.
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