Onboarding-Pandemic Style

Question

Has anyone started a new job during the pandemic? If so, what have been some positive and negative onboarding experiences in this new environment that we're navigating? Has anyone participated in a virtual onboarding?

Anonymous · Answer

I haven't had any experience with this myself, but we just hosted a webinar on this topic that might have some good advice for you! https://fairygodboss.com/events/RhxGI1eAg/when-internships-onboarding-move-online

MJP · Answer

I was midway through the interview process when the stay-at-home orders started. So nearly all my interaction with our staff and the entirety of my on-boarding has been done virtually.  A few things that have stood out so far:

Building relationships is different...
 * Since we are all now remote, everyone is gaining comfort in connecting online (vs. a previous role in which only some members WFH, and it felt noticeably different to connect with them). So people were open to meeting for the first time remotely and used to that being a little awkward.
* People are sharing more of themselves than they probably would since we are all connecting at home. I've had into meetings that included others' kids, for example. Seeing them in that context (and not just their 'work self') has been great.
* But I miss having body language to help read people and build connections. We all tend to mute ourselves when others are speaking, and I miss having banter and other cues to see, for example, that the team is stressed / excited about something rolled out.

Everything is now scheduled and intentional...
* Before, I'd probably connect with people in passing, or spontaneously grab lunch together. Now we all have to schedule time to connect at all. Finding time just to chat is hard when people are busy. 
*Before, it would be noticeable to have a new person in the room. Now I sometimes blend in to a full Zoom room. On the one hand, it's been nice not to always feel new. But I miss having people proactively stop by desk to share info or connect, or meeting facilitators stop to clarify lingo when they see me / remember I'm new.

I could go on forever, but will pause there - I may come back to add more as I reflect on this experience!

Onboarding-Pandemic Style

You're invited.

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