FAQ about onboarding process

Q: How long is the onboarding process?

According to this survey , onboarding programs tend to be from one day to one month long. In fact, more than 50% of onboarding programs last one week or less. This is not ideal - in a perfect world onboarding would take at least 90 to 100 days, and could even go up to a year.

Q: What is the difference between a new hire orientation and onboarding?

A new hire orientation is a one-time event, usually on the first day, where new employees are formally introduced to the company values, ethos, leaders, policies and administrative procedures. Onboarding is a much longer process, which does include orientation, and is where the new hire is introduced to all aspects of their new role. This usually includes job training, goal-setting, introduction to company culture, meeting other employees and serves to help the new hire get adjusted quickly and become productive.

Question 1

How long is the onboarding process?

Accepted Answer

According to this survey, onboarding programs tend to be from one day to one month long. In fact, more than 50% of onboarding programs last one week or less.

This is not ideal - in a perfect world onboarding would take at least 90 to 100 days, and could even go up to a year.

Question 2

What do new hires want from onboarding?

Accepted Answer

New hires want to come in and be able to contribute quickly. They want to learn their role, their closest colleagues and know who they can turn to for help.

They also want to have a clearly defined role, a schedule created for them that they can follow the first week or two, and clear communication.

Question 3

Is onboarding part of recruitment?

Accepted Answer

It is! Onboarding starts the minute that someone becomes aware of your organization, especially in relation to a job posting. The impression that you give will stick with the person, so you should strive to make sure it is a good one.

During the recruitment stage, it is especially important to cover some of the first steps of onboarding, so potential employees know what to expect from your organization. If you have a good onboarding program, you will find that it is easier to recruit quality employees.

Question 4

Is onboarding the same as training?

Accepted Answer

Onboarding and training often go hand in hand, but they are different things.

Training is about teaching new skills to a person and has to do with the tasks the new hire is expected to perform.

Onboarding is about bringing a new person into the culture of the company, integrating them in with the staff, the management and the overall environment.

Question 5

Does orientation count as the start date?

Accepted Answer

It can, depending on when it happens, before the starting day or on the first day.

Some organizations choose to have an orientation session before the official start date, others have the two on the same day.

Question 6

What is the difference between a new hire orientation and onboarding?

Accepted Answer

A new hire orientation is a one-time event, usually on the first day, where new employees are formally introduced to the company values, ethos, leaders, policies and administrative procedures.

Onboarding is a much longer process, which does include orientation, and is where the new hire is introduced to all aspects of their new role. This usually includes job training, goal-setting, introduction to company culture, meeting other employees and serves to help the new hire get adjusted quickly and become productive.

Knowledge Hub

Employee onboarding process

Microlearning

Conflict management styles

Blended learning

Job rotation

Career development plan

Mentoring

Skills Gap

Gamification

SAM model