Digital onboarding has become a necessity as more employees start their new roles remotely. But how do you create an effective and memorable online onboarding experience? Here, we share our best tips to ensure your digital onboarding process is a success.
What Does Digital Onboarding Mean?
Digital onboarding is about introducing new employees to the company quickly and efficiently, with a focus on engagement and productivity. The goal is to allow new hires to complete their onboarding regardless of location or time. Poor onboarding can result in employees leaving within three months, which can be costly and require restarting the recruitment process.
Steps to a Successful Digital Onboarding Process
- Use Digital Tools
Leverage digital tools to streamline the onboarding process. Create a platform or learning hub where all onboarding-related content is gathered. Automated email messages can help maintain contact and send personalized updates during preboarding and onboarding.
- Divide the Content
New hires are often faced with a lot of new information, so make it easier by dividing the introduction into smaller segments. Create a clear and logical structure to help them understand how everything connects. A well-defined plan provides a sense of security and makes learning more effective.
- Vary the Learning Material
Since people learn in different ways, offer a mix of materials such as videos, presentations, and documents. A lecture, for example, can be turned into a video series, and more complex documents can be made into visually engaging presentations. Make it easy for employees to find and revisit the materials.
- Try Gamification
Gamification, inspired by the gaming world, means presenting content in an engaging way — for instance, through quizzes or interactive exercises. Consider how you can add playful elements to your onboarding and collaborate with experts to generate creative ideas.
- Engage Current Employees
Involving existing team members in the onboarding process adds great value. Encourage them to connect on LinkedIn, send welcome messages, and schedule informal virtual coffee chats.
Stay in Touch from Signing to the First Day
It’s crucial to maintain regular contact with the new employee. If there’s a long gap before their start date, silence can make them feel disconnected. Provide access to tutorials or learning modules as part of the onboarding process to keep engagement high.
Maintain Engagement
Instead of sending all information at once, deliver content gradually. This approach builds anticipation and keeps new hires engaged. Digital tools can automate this process and ensure a steady flow of communication.
Personalize Onboarding with Test Results
By using assessments during the recruitment process, you can streamline selection and gain valuable insights into the new hire. Cognitive and personality tests help you understand their strengths and development areas, allowing you to tailor the onboarding process to their unique potential.
