Navigating onboarding as a new but experienced employee is a very awkward feeling. It’s exciting but at the same time it can be daunting, firstly because you’ve been through onboarding before (you’re a seasoned employee after all) but also because you now have to adapt to a new organizational culture and expectations. Over the last few weeks, I’ve had to navigate the onboarding process. I became acutely aware of how important this process will be in setting me up for long term success.
This process of integrating a new employee into an organization and preparing them to become a productive member of the team is a systematic approach, usually conducted by employers, which helps new hires acquire the knowledge, skills and behaviors necessary for their success in their new roles. In the education system this might not be a formalized process. In my recent experience, there seems to have been attempts at an onboarding process that quickly tapered off and fizzled out. I was sympathetic and understanding. Everyone genuinely seemed busy (I did join at an unusual time in the academic year) and there were attempts here and there to help me adjust. But I quickly realized that I would have to help myself a bit.
So how do you onboard yourself?
1. Research the company
For one, it starts way before you think. Your personal onboarding starts with you thoroughly researching the company, its mission, vision and values. It is also a good idea to review your job description. This is something I did before deciding where exactly I wanted to work.
2. Learn the organization’s culture
Once you start at your new job, talk to employees to understand what the organization stands for but also observe the company culture by participating in meetings, interacting with colleagues, and understanding how decisions are made. Pay attention to communication styles, collaboration norms, and company values. This can take a while.
3. Connect with your manager/head/supervisor
Reach out to your manager or supervisor to introduce yourself. You can take this opportunity to express your enthusiasm for joining the team, and inquire about any immediate priorities or tasks you should focus on.
4. Build your network
Take the initiative to introduce yourself to your colleagues, both within your department and across other departments. Building relationships will help you integrate into the organization more smoothly and establish a network of support.
5. Actively seeking feedback
Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions to accelerate your learning curve. I have been asking a lot of questions. It helps in getting through steps 2-3. This means you have to be open to feedback from your manager and colleagues. Actively seeking feedback on your performance and areas for improvement can help in your continuous growth and development. Taking notes, mental or otherwise, will help.
6. Familiarize Yourself with Tools and Systems
Learn about the tools, software, and systems used within the organization. This may include communication platforms, project management tools, document sharing platforms, and any other software relevant to your role. For me, I had to learn about the LMS, especially for input of grades.
7. Set goals and objectives
Stay organized by setting short and long term goals and objectives which you can discuss with your supervisor to receive feedback. You can also establish a system to keep track of important information, deadlines, and tasks. This could include using a digital calendar, or a physical planner.
8. Find a mentor.
Find someone who can offer valuable insights, knowledge, and perspective based on their own experiences. They should be able to help you navigate challenges, set goals, and develop professionally or personally.
These tips will certainly help you settle in but there are still going to be challenges. One of the biggest challenges is definitely going to be the overwhelming influx of new information, faces, and processes to learn. So don’t be daunted, when at the end of the day, some things fall through the cracks. Hopefully, you’d have identified a mentor by now and hopefully have administrators who emphasize asking questions. Onboarding can be overwhelming, even for an experienced person. You may be tempted to ignore your own needs as you navigate the process. To avoid burnout, prioritize self-care while staying curious, adaptable, and solutions-oriented. These traits will become essentials in ensuring that you settle in comfortably and complete a successful onboarding process.
Copyright © Lana. S. 2024
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