New job

17 Comments

1. Kelly Harman-SeversonOctober 3,2024 at 12:18PM UTC

   Sounds like a typical onboarding process. I personally have never experienced a smooth process for onboarding. I wouldn’t say anything unless you were asked for feedback. This process will come up in future conversations and you can provide feedback then

2. AnonymousOctober 3,2024 at 12:29PM UTC

   I would not say anything unless ask. I also started a new job a few weeks ago, and some items were not set up, but I decided it is not my place to say something until I know their processes and I am integrated into the team. This seems like first week hurdles. Good luck!

3. Alexis GladstoneOctober 3,2024 at 12:32PM UTC

   Not all companies have a smooth onboarding process. In my very first job out of college I went to my cubicle after orientation and not only was there no phone, there was no chair! I've started with other companies where I also had to wait for equipment and office supplies. These were all experiences with large organizations. I've found that smaller ones, or those who don't do a lot of onboarding don't always focus on these things as part of their process either.

   I personally wouldn't say anything unless you're asked for feedback because you don't know enough about the people and culture to risk ruffling feathers. Now, if it's completely impeding you do being proactive in meeting people, attending meetings, or reading things you need to get oriented into the role, that's a different story.

   Maybe after you've been there and established relationships you can offer some insight.

4. AnonymousOctober 3,2024 at 12:35PM UTC

   You could start a Word doc of the information and an ordered checklist of training materials to share for use for the next newbie. As a supervisor, I would be thrilled that my new hire took the initiative to make my org better.

5. AnonymousOctober 3,2024 at 1:59PM UTC

   This is great advice. As a manager, I always welcome a new set of eyes on current processes and SOPs. Once my new associate was comfortable, we actually asked her to help us revise our work instructions to help improve our documentation. Now, they are more streamlined and we perform reviews twice a year.

6. AnonymousOctober 3,2024 at 2:55PM UTC

   Absolutely agree! Teammates who do this are especially valuable!

7. AnonymousOctober 3,2024 at 1:01PM UTC

   I’m going to have to agree that most companies don’t have great onboarding. I work for a large company and they miss steps all the time. Most of the companies I’ve been take forever to get all IT access set up correctly. I’m still waiting for things I should have had when I started 1.5 years ago.

8. AnonymousOctober 3,2024 at 1:32PM UTC

   Firstly,, congratulations on your new position! Secondly, Continue to keep your eyes and ears on the situation. I recommend giving it a couple of weeks to see how the initial training and role plays out, and go from there.

9. Cynthia Armistead NewmanOctober 3,2024 at 2:12PM UTC

   The only smooth onboarding I have ever experienced was at Apple. Everywhere else, there have always been problems.

   Write a list of what you think should be done differently. After everything has been set up, ask your manager who you should share that with. Is HR in charge of onboarding? IT? Someone else? Make it clear that it's a list of suggestions, and word everything diplomatically.

   Also, I haven't heard of anyone getting a business cell phone in decades! We've always been expected to use our own.

10. AnonymousOctober 3,2024 at 3:14PM UTC

    Great answer, yes! Just wanted to mention that here in Silicon Valley, all the tech places and even some of the older institutions provide work cell phones, and laptops. This is the norm here, not to mention daily free lunches, micro kitchens with snacks, coffee...etc.

11. Cynthia Armistead NewmanOctober 4,2024 at 5:33PM UTC

    I've been in tech since the mid-'90s, but mostly with firms here in Georgia. I knew about the free lunches and all that in Silicon Valley but hadn't heard of this difference. Thanks!

12. AnonymousOctober 3,2024 at 4:40PM UTC

    They certainly need your fresh eyes on this place! Feel free to tell your manager about the things you’ve observed. And try to suggest a solution (different way/better way).

13. Felicia EnuhaOctober 3,2024 at 6:36PM UTC

    Unless your actual job is to create a better on boarding process for all employees, say nothing! You are new and you need to earn credibility and trust in the organization before you can give critical feedback. Plus they already know the onboarding is trash. Spend your time focusing on the controllables and building relationships with leaders.

14. AnonymousOctober 4,2024 at 12:37AM UTC

    OP here. Thanks for your response. I am working as a recruiter and work hand in hand with HR. Though I am not responsible for the onboarding portion, I believe down the road, I will offer some suggestions.

15. AnonymousOctober 3,2024 at 8:53PM UTC

    I don't know that I would necessarily stress it, but I would say that I think as a whole, a lot of companies fumble the whole onboarding experience. I know when I was hired into my current role, I had much the same experience as you - the difference being that I'm in HR and that is one of the things I was tasked with fixing. Hopefully this is something your new employer wants to fix because as you are finding out, it leads to a very negative new hire experience. So with that, I'm hoping they are looking from feedback from recent new hires and hiring managers alike (at my previous company, as we were building out the onboarding program, we actively sought feedback from new hires the previous year...we actually did so periodically not just a one and done).

16. AnonymousOctober 3,2024 at 10:50PM UTC

    Many companies don't have onboarding figured out. I would get everything settled in a couple of weeks and focus on your first 90 day plan. No need to make an issue of the experience ..... it will not go well for you.

    Congratulations on your new job.

17. Haylee D'ArcyOctober 4,2024 at 5:33PM UTC

    Congrats on the new role. I'm bummed to hear your onboarding hasn't been great.

    If it were me, I'd take personal notes of what went well and what didn't with why. Then in the future, if I have an opportunity to positively impact the next person's experience, I had specifics documented.

    With that all being said, I'd keep feedback to myself unless someone specially asks. But don't feel guilty about being honest if asked about your experience!