Job Orientation

What does job orientation mean?

Job orientation is defined as the process that enables the employer to welcome the new employees to the company, while also giving them the needed information to start the job and an insight into the company’s culture.

This would be a definition of the concept, but be aware that this mechanism has a rather complex meaning, and we intend to offer you all the information you need in order to design the perfect job orientation for your organization.

What should you accomplish during job orientation?

Here is a new employee checklist for you to use:

1. Introduce the company
   Give an introductory presentation into the company's mission, culture, and values.
   This can be done by one or two managers or a long-tenured employee, who may add a touch of fun with a story, from their own experience, for the newly hired. You might like to discuss about the organization chart also.
2. Do the necessary new hire paperwork
   The boring, but mandatory paperwork should be done prior to job orientation. No one wants to spend the first day of work filling up papers.
   So just scan them and send them by email before the first day.
3. Offer information about their benefits package
   This should ideally be done by an HR representative.
4. Go over the employee handbook
   Again, an HR specialist should be in charge of this.
5. Tell them what to wear
   Inform them about the dress code accepted within the company, it is an important aspect of this process.
6. Go over the safety and health policies
   The workplace should always be a safe environment for workers. So bring in the specialized personnel to give them this type of information. A guided tour of the building will also help here.
7. Discuss the admin work
   Go over the administrative procedures, including computer logins, phone settings, assigning badges.

Job Orientation Checklist Template

Below is a sample orientation checklist in word that you can download instantly. Do not forget to customize it for your workplace.

Tips for a great job orientation process

1. Offer them brain foods for concentration
   There is a range of popular foods that are known for reducing stress, improve memory and bonus for you - are not at all expensive. So provide something like dark chocolate, popcorn, still water, coffee or avocado for the new hires. It builds a good image for your company and the new employee will be impressed.
2. Put together a FAQ document 
   If you onboard new employees frequently, you will notice they tend to ask very similar questions. So prepare a FAQ and you will save time by doing so. Keep it updated.
3. Assemble an HR resources directory
   The HR resources directory for employees should contain essential documents and materials such as:
   • New employee handbook
   • Company introduction deck
   • Organizational chart
   • Useful software list
   • Company policies manual
   • Technology setup (printer data, wifi code, connecting to the beamer, accessing the intranet, etc)
   • Company FAQ (where to order business cards, HR guidelines, PTO policies, what to do when sick, paid holidays, communications, events etc)
   • Office map
4. Design a new hire welcome packet
   It is recommended you send them this packet before the first day of work, so they have the time to read it and then to ask you about any issues. You choose the form you want to give the packet - a zip file, a shared drive document or a paper folder.
5. Send a welcome email
   It is always thoughtful to send them a short message to reassure them that your company is looking forward to having them onboard.
6. Ask the newly hired to offer feedback
   It’s the only way you can improve your orientation process. Allow them some time to adapt and integrate into your organization before you ask for feedback.

How can you conduct work orientation?
This should be a one-time event, like a small conference, where information is delivered via presentations or quick Q & A session. If you want to go the extra mile, you can send the new employee, before the first day of work, an online short training material, so they gain some general knowledge about the organization.

How to prepare for a the job orientation as new hire?

As a newcomer, the job orientation shouldn't be too much of a struggle to you. The job orientation is like the newcomers training about the company mission, culture, and processes. You should not raise the expectation very high, just be yourself, act professionally and if you don’t understand something just ask.

Arrive in time
If you don’t want to miss the introduction or the way you access the intranet, then our recommendation is to arrive on time. Check in advance where is the orientation taking place, how you will arrive there and how much time will it take, and make a plan to arrive at the venue smoothly. And don’t forget to ask where you will be parking your car.

Dress appropriately
The dress code is very important in some companies, however, if you didn’t receive any instructions regarding this within your invitation to the onboarding, then just come professional and well polished. Remember the formality you had during the job interview? That is a clear indication that you can wear the same kind of clothes. If you’re still not sure about this, just ask your advisor about this.

Bring a pen and a notebook
Since during the day you will be receiving a lot of new information, it is important that you have something to write down the details about the job.

Take the paperwork
If within the invitation for the orientation you have been asked to bring some paperwork, get them with you. Information such as SSN or bank details is necessary for the employer.

Ask for the next steps

Each company has its own onboarding plan. Some are very well described, other more simplistic. In case if as a new employee within the company it's not clear to you what steps you need to do next? When do you start the job? If you need to do some additional training or bring other forms, just ask your employer.