You got the job! Now what?
Congratulations, you got a job!! Now what happens? Well, a little something called on-boarding.
The on-boarding process is a series of events that equip and assist a new employee to be successful in their job and inform them of how their position impacts the overall business. On-boarding processes at places of employment will typically follow a similar outline:
- Orientation with a supervisor/manager to the workplace structure and culture
- Signing forms related to employment, human resources and taxes
- Submitting copies of your credentials, tickets and training certificates
- Tour of workplace and introductions to staff and what jobs they do
- Getting set up with the necessary tools, equipment and technology for your job; including passwords, alarm codes, uniforms, etc.
- Review and commencement of the training plan – this may include reading about your job duties and expectations, shadowing co-workers to see the process of the job first hand, as well as hands on training. The review of policies and procedures, watching instructional videos, and perhaps taking online training courses/modules are also an important parts of onboarding.
Currently, with COVID -19 having major impacts on our health, economic and social climates, the onboarding process of many workplaces will undoubtedly look different. Maybe you are working in the essential service sector that has been overwhelmed by increased business. This could mean you have been hurried though the process just to get you on the floor completing much needed tasks and serving customers/clients as quickly as possible. Or maybe the sector you find yourself in has slowed down, and your colleagues are working from home or reduced hours. This might mean that you have not met everyone in your workplace, your client-facing work has gone virtual and you are not able to receive the hands-on training you would have had prior to the impacts of COVID-19.
In both cases, you have started a job at time when the work days are no longer “typical”. So here are some tips to help you along the way as we all navigate these changing times together:
- Ask questions – when I started my first job as a teenager, my manager told me that “There are no stupid questions”. I still believe this, as it is important to ensure you obtain the understanding you need about processes and instructions. You are in the driver’s seat of your learning.
- Speak up – when you need something. There can be so much going on for employers and workers right now that no one may realize that you are missing a piece of information about process, policy or instruction on how to do a part of your job. We’re all a team and by speaking up, you just might be helping someone else too.
- Be flexible – go with the flow to meet the changing needs and trends of our current times. This might mean you are doing more aspects of your job virtually (including the onboarding process). Or maybe you will be focused on doing just one aspect of your job that is crucial to service delivery during this time, and you’ll learn the other parts of your job in a few months. Who knows? Just expect and be open to change!
- Be patient – with yourself and others (co-workers, employers and your customers/clients). This is an overwhelming time for many and everyone is learning and figuring out what comes next – even those that have been in their positions for many years. Everyone needs, and deserves, a bit of kindness and grace right now.
Good luck to you as you embark on this next step of your career path!
Talea
Employment Consultant
