The construction industry is facing a talent shortage. When you finally find a great candidate who accepts your offer, you may feel like you can move on to your next task. But the work is far from over.
Onboarding is a tremendously important process that gets overlooked all too often. In fact, not effectively onboarding can lead to lower rates of retention, productivity, and engagement. It can also have adverse effects on your work culture and morale.
This article will discuss a few key reasons why it is so vital that you have a strategic onboarding plan in place.
Continually plan for the future of your construction company
Most companies think of onboarding as a one-time, static event for individuals who are just starting. However, it should be something that you do regularly to keep your entire team focused on the company’s long-term goals. This is an opportunity to restate your values and continually shape your company culture. This will also help with team building and keeping your employees feeling valued and engaged – both on and off the job site.
Leverage your employees’ unique skills and interests
One of the best things that you can do during the onboarding process is to make sure that you understand your employee’s career goals and how they want to develop their skills over time. This will create an environment where they can continually learn and improve, which will benefit all parties. Not only will you see an improvement in your level of talent and work quality, but this is also a great way to improve workplace satisfaction and overall retention. Essentially, if you demonstrate your investment in your employees, and they will respond with the same.
Ensure that they are set up for success
Onboarding is way more than letting your new employees know what you expect of them. It is also critical to make sure that they can begin to integrate within the company culture. Some people will have a much easier time doing this than others, so you must be involved in the process. You should invest in having open communication during this time and ensure that you make yourself available to answer any questions or concerns that they may have.
By not making an effort to onboard correctly, you will be undoing all of your hard work during the recruitment process. With strategic onboarding, you can improve your employees’ experience – improving both their work product and prolonging their time with your company.
Photo by Dylan Gillis on Unsplash
