The number one mistake I see being made in the onboarding process is overwhelming learners with compliance education. As an L&D professional, I know how tempting it can be to pack as much training and compliance measures as possible into the onboarding process.

However, overwhelming new hires with too much information can cause far more harm than good. It can be difficult for them to absorb and retain all of the information, which leads to a negative first impression of the company culture and its priorities.

To avoid making this mistake, here are a few do's and don'ts to remember!

DON’T let the first day on the job be overshadowed by filling out forms.

Just because you want to cross those tasks off your list doesn’t mean you should rush the process. Not only can it lead to confusion and frustration, but it can also create a sense of anxiety and overwhelm that can negatively impact an employee’s ability to perform their job duties effectively. Additionally, if compliance measures are not communicated clearly, the company can be at risk for legal and financial consequences.

DO prioritize critical information and present it in bite-size pieces.

Prioritize the information that will be most relevant to their daily responsibilities and spread out the training over several sessions. This allows employees to absorb the information more easily and reduces the risk of overload.

DON’T reinvent the wheel with every new hire.

Onboarding can be chaotic and confusing if you’re trying to figure it out along with your new hire. Creating a standard operating procedure will reduce time and frustration spent on onboarding and streamline the process for your newest team member.

DO make your content delivery interactive and engaging.

Let’s be honest: rules, obligations, and paperwork aren’t the most exciting. But getting creative with instructional videos that complement informational documents, checklists, and required reading will be a welcome reprieve and make the process feel more manageable. Consider turning these topics into TikTok-style videos to provide binge-able content that will be more memorable and lead to better retention.

An overview of the new hire paperwork that needs to be completed
Expectations for virtual and in-person participation for companies utilizing a hybrid model
Highlights from the Employee Handbook
A showcase of your company's unique work perks or benefits
A video on the importance of continued learning and development in your industry or profession

BONUS TIP (*Pay special attention if you're looking to attract Millennial & Gen Z employees!*)

Want to really impress your new hires? Send them a series of bite-sized videos that cover what to expect on their first day! Small things like where to find the bathroom, the best lunch spots, and the good coffee stash will boost your new hire's confidence and instill trust before they even walk through the door.

While compliance measures are an important aspect of the onboarding process, it's important to approach them in a manageable and effective way for new employees. By prioritizing critical information, spreading out the training over multiple sessions, and making it engaging and interactive, you can ensure that new hires are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their roles without feeling overwhelmed or anxious.

Free Resources

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Article: Top Tips for Effective Video Onboarding in Uncertain Times

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