Do you remember the last time you started a new job?
It’s easy for new hires to feel out of place on their first day. Although a new job or career usually sparks great excitement, new processes to learn, new expectations, and new people to meet can all contribute to a slight feeling of uneasiness.
As an employer, why not make your new employee feel welcome from day one?
Here’s how to welcome a new employee to the team:
Why is it Important to Welcome a New Hire?
The workplace has come a long way over the years. Jobs and careers are no longer only about showing up, collecting a paycheck, and calling it a day. The modern work environment is all about creating a welcoming company culture that motivates and inspires employees to do their best work.
This all starts with the employee onboarding process.
A warm welcome to a new hire shows professionalism and provides your new hire with a positive first impression of the company as a whole. It also helps them feel important and shows them that you value what they’re adding to your company.
Tips For Welcoming a New Employee
Ready to provide your new hire with a welcoming environment? Here’s how you can do it.
Send them a welcome email
Sending a well-written welcome email is a quick and easy way to make a good impression on your new hire.
Don’t just provide them with a generic, template-generated email, though. If you really want to knock it out of the park, a personalized email will make any new hire feel valued, appreciated, and assure them that they’ve made the right employment decision!
Summarizing or recounting the reasoning behind why you hired them in the first place is a great place to start. You’ll also want to include other pertinent employment information, such as salary, hours of operation, and dress code.
Have them well-prepared for their first day
The first day as a new hire can be daunting. Especially when they feel like the newbie.
It all starts with adequate training. Make sure you have an up-to-date training handbook or employee handbook to get them started. Getting them up to speed as quickly as possible helps boost their confidence and assures them that they’ll be able to handle any tasks thrown their way.
Other things to consider on a new hire’s first day include an office or desk, a parking pass, and even the proper credentials to enter or exit the building if necessary. Having these affairs in order on the first day shows the new employee that you’re on the ball and organized.
Respect the learning curve
With any new hire, there’s going to be a learning curve. Even if they’re coming from a similar job, your processes and the way that your team handles the job will likely be different from everyone else.
Having some patience and assuring the employee that you’re always there to help goes a long way toward creating a welcoming environment for them.
Employee Onboarding Gifts
One of the best ways to make an employee feel welcomed on their first day is with onboarding gifts.
We’re not talking about lame gifts that end up in the trash, though. Corporate gifting calls for quality promotional gifts.
Here are some of our favorite gift categories for your new hire’s first day:
Fun, customized socks are always a welcomed addition to the wardrobe! These socks are one-size-fits-all and provide a ton of comfort. In fact, your new employee will never want to take them off.
There’s nothing quite like a custom sweater that will have you wanting to throw out all of your other clothes. This sweater works as both an athletic sweater and a casual sweater with two side pockets for added convenience.
Made from 100% organic cotton, this t-shirt is sure to be a hit with your brand new hire. The Known Supply T-shirt comes in unisex sizing and has 7 different colors available. Add your custom branding and you’re good to go!
A cute plant makes a thoughtful corporate gift. A cute plant with a custom branded planter is the perfect corporate gift. This Petite Bliss Plant is packed in a gift box that doubles as a planter—a great way to welcome your new employee.
A quality notebook is an underrated gift. It allows you to jot down quick notes, grocery lists, business ideas, and so much more. This Moleskine Ruled Notebook has a bound hardcover with rounded corners, a bookmark, and an elastic closure. Choose from 5 colors, add your custom branding, and welcome your new employee with a classic gift.
Unique gifts can have your new hire smiling ear to ear on their first days at work. This Mophie 4-in-1 Charging Mat is the perfect unique gift, with dedicated wireless charging spots for smartphones, Apple Watches, and Airpods. All you need to do is add your brand logo!
Is your new hire going to be on loads of video calls? If so, the Lume Cube Lighting Kit is the ideal first-day gift. This light mounts to a computer or laptop to help illuminate the user’s face while on video calls. The kit includes a Panel Go bicolor LED light, adjustable desktop stand, USB adapter cable, softening silicone diffuser, suction cup mount, and a 6-foot USB cable. Add your custom branding and welcome your new hire in style!
We love deluxe promotional products, and so will your new hire. These Painted Apple AirPods are as deluxe as a gift can get! Select from a set of pantone colors to add a pop of color to the classic AirPods. You’ll also be able to add your custom branding to the charging case. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Whether you’re traveling or commuting, a portable charge is always a welcomed tech addition. This Nimble Portable Charger packs more power than chargers twice its size, offering up to three full phone charges on a single charge. The charger is also made from post-consumer recycled plastic, making this one of the best gifts for your brand new hire.
Travel mugs are a must-have for coffee fiends. However—the Ember Mug is so much more than a simple travel mug. This high-tech mug allows you to set an exact temperature for your drink and can keep it there for up to 3 hours. It’s also easy to clean and has smartphone controls for added convenience. Pick one up for your new hire today!
This Ocean Bottle is all about keeping cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot using double wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel and recycled content. Choose from 6 vibrant colors, add your custom branding, and welcome your new hire with a new gift that they’ll love!
12oz Fellow Everywhere Tumbler
A high-quality tumbler is always a welcomed addition to a coffee drinker’s cupboard. This Fellow Everywhere Tumbler amplifies the senses and is designed to fit the most popular manual brewing devices. Your new hire will be able to enjoy their coffee anytime, anywhere!
Use These Tips and Gift Ideas To Delight Your New Hire
An employee who feels valued and motivated is going to be a productive employee. There’s no doubting that.
With these tips and gift ideas, you’ll be ahead of the curve when it comes to welcoming your new hire in style. If you want to create a positive work environment and strong company culture, it all starts with the onboarding process.
Questions About How to Welcome a New Employee to the Team?
The Swag.com team is all about helping companies leave lasting impressions on new hires. If you have any questions, we’re always here to help. Reach out to us.
