When done well, the onboarding process can set a positive tone for your entire employee experience at a new organization. Just like every individual, each organization is different and will have a unique plan in place to welcome you into their community.
Regardless, there are a few things you can do to prepare and set yourself up for a successful onboarding process.
Ask all the questions
From the day you accept the offer, it’s likely you’ll begin to receive a lot of information about next steps. This will include paperwork and information on relocation assistance and other basic information if it applies to you. It should also involve more in-depth details about what the onboarding process will look like from start to finish.
Before you step foot in the facility as a new employee, prepare a few questions about the process, such as:
- Can you go into more detail about relocation assistance?
- Who can I ask questions about licensing and credentialing?
- What are your expectations of me as a new hire starting on Day One? What about Day 30? Day 365?
- What will training be like during the early steps of onboarding?
- How can I expect community leaders and superiors to interact with me during this time?
- What is the timeline of this onboarding process?
If there are steps or details that are unclear to you, make a point to ask questions that can better prepare you to fulfill the role’s expectations and ensure yours are met as well.
Be ready to meet with team members
It’s likely your first few days or weeks in your new position will consist of meeting with various individuals in your facility. Think about the questions you want to ask your new teammates about the community, amenities, department or its leaders. Remember to be personable and consider what you’d like to share about yourself to help them get to know you as a co-worker.
Fellow physicians and advanced practice providers are a great resource for guidance because they can often share insights you might not get from a recruiter – from tips as simple as which snacks are most popular in the cafeteria to subtle ways to stand out to superiors.
Know what you want from your recruiter
You might have an idea of what your expectations are as a new hire, but what do you expect from your recruiter throughout the process? Ideally, whoever is onboarding you will ask what you need to be successful in your new position.
Are you expecting to receive advice for exploring the local community? How often do you want to hear from your recruiter as you get acclimated? Do you expect to be assigned a mentor or community leader? What would make you feel most welcome?
A successful onboarding process requires both the employer and new employee to be intentional. It’s a good thing to have standards and expectations so you can best communicate them to the individuals guiding you through each step.
Don’t be afraid to ask for resources
If you’re relocating, you’re bound to have questions; a change of location has an impact on your lifestyle. Hopefully, early in the onboarding process you will be provided with information about the local community, attractions, school districts (if you have children), housing options and more.
Don’t hesitate to ask for more resources if you need them. These might include:
- Contact information for a Realtor or someone who can share options for temporary living arrangements.
- Guidance for getting your license and credentials in a new state – or for the first time.
- Information about ways to get plugged into the community, such as clubs, sports teams or local groups.
- Tips for go-to grocery stores, the best gym to secure a membership, child care services, etc.
No matter how early or late in the process, it never hurts to ask if there’s something you need to feel confident during your transition.
May 11, 2021
