90 Day Success: Key Focus Areas for New Hires

The first 90 days of employment are essential for a new employee; there is much to learn about the organization and their new role. Offering an effective orientation and training process will help new hires acclimate more easily and set them up for success. According to the 2022 Job Seeker Nation Report "one in every three new hires today will leave a job in the first 90 days". During this critical time, organizations should focus on the key areas listed below to help the new employee succeed in their new role and make a smooth transition into the company culture.

Orientation: A well-structured new hire orientation program is designed to welcome and onboard newly hired employees to an organization. This program should familiarize new hires with the company’s culture, values, policies, procedures, and work environment.

Training: After orientation, the employee should receive job-specific training, such as shadowing a more experienced employee, training in tools, software, and systems used by the organization, and relevant skills or knowledge required for the job.

Setting Goals: Within the first 30 days, the employer should work with the new employee to set goals and expectations for the next 60-90 days. Setting goals is critical as it establishes clear expectations and provides the new hire with a roadmap while ensuring alignment with the organization's and team’s overall objectives.

Schedule Check-Ins: A supervisor should schedule ongoing check-ins to provide feedback, answer questions, and support the new hire. This regular communication will help the supervisor ensure the new hire is on track and help address issues or concerns early on. It is essential that HR also establishes check-ins with the new hire to provide guidance and address any questions or concerns the employee may have. Check-ins will also help the HR professional assess the new hires' performance and progress, including the kind of support provided to them.

Building Relationships: New employees should be encouraged to build relationships with their colleagues and immediate team by attending team meetings, networking events, and social activities.

In conclusion, the first 90 days should be focused on providing support and guidance to the new employee while setting clear expectations and goals.

An organization that thoughtfully invests in the onboarding process will provide a broad experience for new hires and set up employees up for success. If your organization needs assistance setting up your onboarding process or any part of your employee life cycle, please do not hesitate to contact Kiwi Partners' HR Services.