🪂 7 ways to organize virtual onboardings for new employees

Virtual onboarding, or remote onboarding, is a process of welcoming new hires to your hybrid team and facilitating their adaptation. This step will help the new employees learn the basics of their job, understand the culture of their new environment, build relationships with colleagues in their team and across the company, and have the tools and the training necessary to perform their missions.

However, onboarding remote employees can create unique challenges. Here are 7 ways to successfully integrate your new employees virtually.

1. Make a virtual onboarding plan

It sounds simple, but sometimes you have to go back to basics. Sit down with your team and brainstorm some ideas to make your remote onboarding process a success. Your team will have different onboarding experiences to share, and the more ideas the better. It is always very interesting to get different perspectives.

2. Provide the right equipment

The first thing your new recruits will need to support their learning is proper equipment. The virtual onboarding process is stressful enough without having to worry about setting up equipment. So be sure to send clear instructions on how to use the work equipment. Also offer technical support to new team members so they know who to contact if they have a problem.

3. Introduce new employees and welcome them

It is not enough to invite new employees to a video meeting. Communicate with them personally before their first team meeting and let them know how things are going. Then, on the first call to get to know them, give them time to introduce themselves and say why they joined the team. Don’t forget to encourage other employees to log in to join the meeting.

If you’re looking for a meeting tool that offers an immersive experience, check out WorkAdventure. The platform will give you the possibility to your new hires to spontaneously connect with other employees after the formal meeting presentation!

4. Put communication at the heart of your virtual onboarding

With the isolation that working remotely can sometimes create, it's more important than ever to keep communication channels open and provide opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback. Schedule frequent and regular video meetings to go over everyone's goals, challenges, and concerns. Take the opportunity to explain in more detail the professional expectations of the company and talk about the priorities and objectives of your employees. And if you do not want to have to always schedule formal meetings to see how your new hires are doing, then create your own virtual office with WorkAdventure and start using it on a daily basis.

5. Set up a buddy or mentor system

It's a good idea to include your current team in your new employee onboarding process. They have already been through the onboarding process and understand how new hires feel. Sure, some of them may not have been remotely integrated, but they are currently in a remote or hybrid team so they surely know where onboarding shall be focused on. Try pairing your new hire with someone from the same department or a similar background. If you choose people who have something in common, they will be more comfortable with each other at first.

6. Train your new employee remotely

In terms of skills, experience and potential within the company, you have recruited an excellent candidate. This does not mean that he will know your processes, your tools and your technologies. Take a good look at his skill set and the training he or she might need to fill in the gaps.

7. Collect feedback from new hires

The only people who can tell you if your virtual onboarding process was successful are new hires. Collect their feedback at the end of the onboarding process using a virtual survey. Please remain anonymous to keep comments as honest as possible.  You can use this feedback to identify any knowledge gaps in your new hires and support them with additional training. New members of your team will also appreciate that you value their opinion.

How can WorkAdventure help you in your remote onboarding process?

The virtual onboarding of new employees relies heavily on technology to create a personal experience for the new team member. Instead of having a face-to-face meeting in an office or showing an employee around their new department, discussions and presentations are done via video conferencing.

WorkAdventure is a virtual workspace that will facilitate your remote onboarding process. It is the perfect place to spread your corporate culture and values! It will help you: 

• Create a guided tour to onboard employees with a welcome booklet (integrate it on your virtual workspace);

• Organize icebreaker activities with new team member (treasure hunt, escape games or other virtual games);

• Create a social link between teammates;

• Grow a feeling of togetherness and solidarity;

• Increase employee engagement and productivity.

Try Workadventure for free now!