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Onboarding Remotely: The Top 5 Tips

Remote work continues to hold the attention of companies across the world. Rather than seeing it as a temporary solution in a global crisis, it’s become the preferred method of recruiting and hiring employees for the long term. Now that more companies are starting to embrace a remote-first mindset, it’s time to get your processes up to speed, starting with onboarding.

Here are our top tips for successful remote onboarding so your new hires can feel like part of the team from Day 1.

1. Prepare Equipment, Passwords, and Tools Ahead of Time

When employees step into the office on their first day, they usually have a desk, computer, and other devices ready for them to make their own. This isn’t the case with remote workers, though. They may not have a home office set up, nor will they know all the different tools and software to download.

Help them make a smooth transition by having equipment and access prepared ahead of time. If they need to access various company systems, compile them in a single place so they can log in and start working right away. If you are providing equipment, such as a computer, send it ahead of their first day so they can engage from the very start.

2. Assign a New Hire Mentor

Use a buddy or mentor program to guide your new hire through their first few weeks with your company. The mentor serves as a single source of information for the employee and can answer their questions, set them up with passwords and access, and help them feel oriented with your company and their new role.

3. Host a Virtual Networking Session

When employees work in person, they start to familiarize themselves with names, faces, and roles. This is often lost with remote work unless you make networking a priority. Hold a virtual networking session where team members and higher-ups in your company drop in and introduce themselves. This helps your new hire learn more about who they’re connecting with remotely and start building trust with them.

4. Send a Welcome Package

Want to wow your new remote employee and make them feel welcome? Send them a welcome package and schedule it to arrive on their first day of work. This might be a gift of company-branded swag, like a mug, mousepad, or T-shirt. It’s a nice, unexpected surprise that will make them feel excited and hopeful about their new position.

5. Ask for Employee Feedback

New hire feedback is helpful in shaping your future remote onboarding experience. Don’t forget to ask your employees for their thoughts on their first-day experiences. Then use their feedback to make your remote onboarding even more effective.

For more insights, head back to the Virtual Coworker blog.

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