In today’s business climate, the war for talent is real. With unemployment at historic lows, employers are finding it increasingly difficult to attract and retain top talent. Shortage of skilled workforce and high demand for next-gen technological skills, employers are struggling to hire talent, and most job seekers have multiple offers in hand. Employees often accept offer letters and then back out at the last minute. This can be highly costly for companies in terms of lost time and money. While the war for talent may seem like a daunting challenge, there are some steps that employers can take to improve their chances of attracting and retaining the best employees.
While salary and employer brand continues to play an essential role in getting prospective candidates to join your organization, there are a host of other factors which often influence an individual’s decision to join an organization. Some of the other factors that people identified were.
1. SPEED TO HIRE –
From applying to your organization to getting the offer letter. Candidates today don’t have the patience, and with some high-demand skills, they are being approached by multiple companies. The candidates are looking to close the decision early and expect a faster turn-around time.
2. BETTER COMMUNICATION –
Transparency and frequent communication give candidates more confidence in the organization. They see a sense of clarity and process in the potential employer.
3. BENEFITS AND PERKS –
Apart from salary, what are the other benefits that employees get when joining an organization, for example, hybrid work policy, leave policies, medical care, etc?
4. CAREER AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES –
Candidates want to work for organizations that invest in employee learning and training and offer better growth opportunities.
How do you communicate these benefits to candidates before they join an organization? Pre-boarding is the process of preparing new hires for their first day on the job. It can include sending out information packets to scheduling meet-and-greet meetings with team members. Pre-boarding is a crucial way to help new hires feel welcome and prepared for their first day, and it can also help to set the stage for a successful transition into the organization.
Here are a few methods to connect with employees before they get on board.
1. INFORMATION KITS:
One way to pre-board employees is to send out information packets before their first day on the job. These packets can include everything from an overview of the company’s culture and values to a list of resources that new hires can use to acclimate to their new roles. Sending out information packets ahead of time can help new hires feel more prepared for their first day on the job, and it can also help them to start building a connection with the organization. This can also be done in a digital format, allowing you to track user engagement with these kits and see what pieces of information are being viewed more.
2. MEET AND GREET –
Another way to pre-board employees is to schedule meet-and-greet meetings with team members. These meetings can allow new hires to meet the people they’ll be working with. They also have the opportunity to ask any questions they have about their new roles. Meet and greet sessions can also help team members get to know one another, facilitating better communication and collaboration. This can be done virtually or before they join the office physically.
3. NEW HIRE ORIENTATIONS –
Another way to engage with candidates is to offer New Hire Orientations (NHOs) as part of their pre-boarding process. NHOs typically involve a tour of the facility, introductions to key personnel, and an overview of company policies and procedures. NHOs are a great way to help new employees hit the ground running on their first day and can also help them feel more connected to the organization.
Overall, pre-boarding is a critical part of onboarding new employees. By taking steps to pre-board employees, organizations can help ease the transition into the workplace and set new hires up for success.
Preboarding is the new normal. With an ever-growing war for talent, employers are looking for ways to set themselves apart and snag the best employees before their competition. By starting the relationship on the right foot, companies can build a strong foundation for a long and successful tenure. Regardless of how it is done, pre-boarding is essential to ensure your company is top of mind for talented candidates – and that you can hang onto them once they’ve accepted your offer letter.
