Giving interns or new hires a great first day on the job is essential to setting the tone for the rest of their time with your company. A positive and productive first day can help to ensure that they feel welcomed, valued, and excited to be a part of your team.
One of the most important things you can do to give interns and new hires a great first day is to properly prepare for their arrival.
- Make sure their workstation (virtual or in person!) is set up and ready for them
- Supply them with any necessary equipment or materials
- Have a clear plan for their first day where they have the time to understand the company, meet colleague, learn tools and technology and get an overview of tasks and expectations
Another key aspect of giving interns and new hires a great first day is to make sure they feel welcomed and included.
- Introduce them to their colleagues and give a directory of the team so they can reference back without feeling embarrassed
- Give a tour of the office or if remote, explain in detail the expectations around Zoom etiquette at the company
- If there is any company swag you can provide, it’s always nice to give them something they can wear proudly to show they are working with your company (and knowing Gen Z, they probably want to post about their new job on their social media platforms, so make sure it’s the best representation possible of your company!)
It is also important to set clear expectations for their role and responsibilities on their first day. This will help them to understand what is expected of them and how they can best contribute to the team.
- Provide a detailed job description for their new role
- Give them a schedule for their first day, week and month
- Explain expectations of where they should be at various touch points, and what to do and where to go if they do not understand how to achieve those goals
Another way to give interns and new hires a great first day is to provide them with the training and resources they need to succeed.
- Outline where the skills gaps may be and create a training plan to lessen those gaps
- Assign a mentor or coach
- Give them access to any internal relevant training materials and seek out training programs for anything that you may need
Finally, making sure they have a clear path for growth and development within the company can also help to set the tone for the rest of their time with the company.
- Set SMART goals at the beginning of the role and check in on their progress regularly
- Give real time feedback when they are both doing well, or need improvement
- Complete regular performance evaluations
- Map out opportunities for advancement and what they need to do to get to those places
In conclusion, giving interns and new hires a great first day on the job is essential to setting the tone for the rest of their time with your company. Proper preparation, clear expectations, training, and resources, and a focus on growth and development can all help to ensure that they feel welcomed, valued, and excited to be a part of your team.
