After You Hire: 5 Critical Steps to Welcome New Team Members

What happens after you've found that perfect addition to your team? How do you create an onboarding experience that makes new hires feel confident, valued, and ready to contribute? In the last episode, Susan and Lany walked you through establishing a solid hiring process. The topic is Beyond the Hire: Creating a Welcoming Onboarding Experience That Builds Lasting Teams.

In this second half, they explore the critical role of mentorship in successful onboarding, including how to support first-time mentors and celebrate this growth opportunity for existing team members. From day-one preparations to long-term development strategies, they share practical insights on welcoming new team members in ways that strengthen your company culture and improve retention. Whether you're managing an in-person or virtual team, these actionable steps will help you transform the critical first months of employment into the foundation for lasting success.

Key Points Checklist:

• Prepare thoroughly before day one to set new hires up for success
• Create comprehensive welcome materials that serve as an ongoing resource
• Establish clear points of contact and communication channels
• Support and celebrate team members who are becoming mentors for the first time
• Assign small projects to build confidence and assess skills
• Conduct regular check-ins during the critical first 90 days
• Develop appropriate performance metrics for evaluation
• Encourage feedback in both directions throughout the process
• Refine roles based on demonstrated strengths and company needs
• Create opportunities for continuous growth and skill development