Many companies have extensive procedures in place to hire the best talent available, but they do not necessarily have equally effective procedures to make sure new employees get off to a good start. The first few days in a new position can be critical in establishing an employee's prospects, so it's important to provide effective orientation, advises John Reed, executive director at Robert Half Technology.

Reed outlines measures to ensure a smooth transition for your new staff members and your team. Before the orientation begins, you should prepare an outline that gives new employees an idea of what will be covered, he writes in a post at CIOUpdate. Take the time to provide an overview of your organization and its objectives, and explain how the new employee fits in with the objectives. 

Personally introduce new employees to the team, and make sure they get a complete tour of the site. Even though much of the nuts and bolts of orientation may be handled by one of your managers, you should try to be as involved as possible, Reed advises. "An appearance and welcome greeting from you adds credibility and weight to the session. It can also send the message the company is excited about having the person join the group, helping make a positive first impression," he suggests.

To prevent a common frustration among new hires, help them understand their roles by providing a copy of their job description and goals. After they are settled in, follow up periodically to see if they are making the transition smoothly. Reed recommends asking specific questions, such as what is proving most challenging and what additional resources are needed. At the same time, offer ongoing feedback as opposed to waiting until a formal evaluation period is up.

For more:
- see John Reed's post at CIOUpdate

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