en
Candidates

Together, we’ll map out career-defining, life-changing pathways to achieve your career ambitions. Browse our range of services, advice, and resources.

Learn more
Services

We understand that no two organisations are the same. Find out more about how we've customised our recruitment offerings to help clients across South East Asia meet their needs.

Read more
About Robert Walters Malaysia

Since our establishment in 2006, our belief remains the same: Building strong relationships with people is vital in a successful partnership.

Learn more

Work for us

Our people are the difference. Hear stories from our people to learn more about a career at Robert Walters Malaysia.

Learn more

How to onboard new hires

Congratulations on your all important new hire! In reality though, your job is far from over when the ink dries on the offer letter. The worst thing you can do after investing so much time and energy into the hiring process of a new employee is ignore the importance of a solid onboarding process.

Here are a few ideas for ensuring your new employee feels that they are fully part of the team when they walk through the door on their first day.

 

1. You can’t onboard anyone if they don’t actually join in the first place, so make it a point to stay fully engaged with your future hire as they transition out from their previous company and into yours.

2. Try and get as much of it done as you can before a new team member starts so you don’t lose valuable time those first few days.

3. Does the rest of the office know that someone new will be joining? If not, make sure they do! You would be amazed at the number of times new hires are met with “Who on earth is that?!?” stares upon arrival.

4. Never underestimate the value of an unexpected gift, and so have a swag bag prepared to welcome your new team member. If logo t-shirts or hoodies are part of the office uniform, make sure your newest member is able to dress the part from day one.

5. Are they a PC or a Mac user? Do they want a standing desk? Find all this out in advance and do your best to make sure that they have all the tools they need to kick off their first day.

6. If you are the hiring manager, make sure you book time in your own calendar to show a new starter around and help them settle in on their first day.

7. Make sure everyone else on the team makes it a priority to introduce themselves to the new employee. Don’t leave the introductions 100% on the shoulders of the newest member of the team - they have enough on their plate. And trust me, nobody wants to hear ‘Remember everyone yet? There will be a quiz at the end of the day!’ when they are making the rounds of intros.

8. Have a schedule of meetings and projects booked in for a new starter’s first few days on the job. Make sure the employee feels productive while quickly learning about the company. Also, use this crucial time to mold the mind of your new colleague. Take advantage of the time your new employee has free of deadlines to really hone in on the mission and core values of the company.

9. Order lunch in for the whole team on a new employee’s first day. Nothing facilitates social interaction like a buffet line. Culture fit is key to happiness in a new role, and creating opportunities for a new employee to meet and share a little about themselves alleviates the anxiety of manufacturing those scenarios on their own. Having ‘first Friday happy hour’ is another good way to grease the wheels.

10. Your new hire will be excited to join the team, so look to make the most of their high energy levels by getting them down to work as quickly as possible. Employees will settle in much more quickly if they feel that they are contributing and usually learn much more on the job than they will through lengthy classroom style training sessions.

Good luck growing out your teams and successfully onboarding your new employees. It may require a bit of trial and error to nail down the best process for your team, but it is time and effort well spent to make sure you set the right tone with new employees.

Share this article

Related content

Submit a Vacancy
Salary Survey
Hiring Advice
Get in touch

Find out more by contacting one of our specialist recruitment consultants

Related content

View All

Hiring in South East Asia: Guide and Trends in 2024

South East Asia hiring market to be driven by digitalisation, sustainability and ESG in 2024 After an extended period of widespread spending, the South East Asia job market in 2023 was marked by inflation and a slowdown in consumer demand. Even though some consumers have resumed in-store retail expe

Read More

Hiring in Malaysia: Guide and Trends in 2024

In 2023, Malaysia experienced a slightly looser job market that was fraught with uncertainties and cost-cutting measures. Ai Rene Tan, Country Manager at Robert Walters Malaysia, points to concerns arising from escalating costs, local political conditions and geopolitical events as some of the key r

Read More

Hiring in Northern Region: Guide and Trends in 2024

Malaysia’s Northern Region contended with several economic headwinds, which led to a decline in hiring in 2023. “The larger Asian region has entered a more difficult phase in its post-pandemic recovery. The global semiconductor cycle has softened and is projected to stay in this cyclical downturn fo

Read More

I'm Robert Walters Are you?

Come join our global team of creative thinkers, problem solvers and game changers. We offer accelerated career progression, a dynamic culture and expert training.