A well-calibrated onboarding process is critical to a new hire’s success, yet the experience is often overwhelming and underwhelming — leaving a negative or mixed first impression.
According to a Paychex survey, only 52 percent of employees said they felt satisfied with the onboarding experience at their current job, while only 11 percent said they felt trained for their role.
What should be an exciting, informative and welcoming experience frequently conjures up the opposite reaction. Over half of respondents said they felt disoriented and let down by their onboarding, and 49 and 46 percent said they felt devalued and lost interest, respectively.
After rounds of interviews, cover letters, resumes, research and more, poor onboarding leads many to leave and start the process over — 80 percent of those who said they were undertrained planned to quit soon.
Conversely, great onboarding has the opposite effect. Employees satisfied with their onboarding tend to be more passionate and engaged with long company tenure.
But what does a satisfactory onboarding process entail? A team member from Favor delved into his onboarding experience and explained why it was a launchpad for a chapter in his career.
Favor is a Texas bred-and-exclusive food delivery platform that connects users to local stores and restaurants.
Describe your onboarding experience. What steps were taken to make you feel ready to make an impact in your role?
The onboarding experience with Favor was exceptional and provided a refreshing start to my journey with the company. Despite the typical challenges that come with joining a new organization, Favor’s onboarding process stood out as remarkably well-organized and collaborative.
From the moment I opened my laptop on day one, the path ahead was laid out for me with clarity and precision. The first few weeks were meticulously planned, allowing me to navigate the onboarding journey seamlessly. The collaborative nature of the onboarding process was a standout feature. Meeting wonderful people from different departments early on not only accelerated my sense of belonging but also deepened my understanding of Favor’s intricate infrastructure.
From the moment I opened my laptop on day one, the path ahead was laid out for me with clarity and precision.”
As a regional account executive, this onboarding experience was a crucial launching pad for my success. By the end of my first week, it became evident that Favor was more than just a workplace — it was a special and supportive community full of intelligent and compassionate people.
Share an early win you experienced or a goal you crushed shortly after joining your team. How did this win set the tone for working at your company?
Shortly after completing my onboarding and establishing a game plan with my manager, I confidently hit the ground running. In the initial weeks at the company, I achieved a significant win by securing a partnership with a national restaurant brand. Notably, this brand has since added all its Texas-based restaurants to the Favor app.
While the prospect of working with a national brand within a few weeks of joining was initially daunting, I felt supported with all the necessary resources and assistance from my team to capitalize on this opportunity. This experience emphasized the importance of diving into challenges headfirst and learning along the way. The collaborative efforts within my team played a crucial role in navigating and succeeding in this endeavor.
This early win not only boosted my confidence but also affirmed the strength of the Favor product. It set a positive tone for my journey at the company, highlighting the supportive environment and collective commitment to turning challenges into opportunities.
How are relationships and a sense of community built for new hires? How have these relationships impacted your confidence, productivity or general work experience?
Building relationships and fostering a sense of community for new hires are integral aspects at Favor, aligning with my belief in the importance of workplace cohesion. This emphasis on community facilitates cross-team collaboration and serves as a motivational force for the entire workforce.
During my interview process with Favor, a key factor that resonated with me was the longevity of the team members. Everyone I spoke with had been with the company for impressive periods, ranging from four to eight years. This was a compelling testament to Favor’s commitment to its culture, and the longevity of team members provided tangible evidence of the company’s genuine embrace of its stated values.
It’s not just about talking the talk; Favor genuinely walks the walk when it comes to fostering a positive workplace culture.
