Transitioning to a new job is stressful for nearly every new hire. The process of leaving their previous employer can be draining, and anxiety about what the future hold is common.

Most managers want the new employee to be able to hit the ground running. However, this is challenging to accomplish if you don’t take specific steps before they walk through the door on their first day.

Luckily, you do typically have some control over how the onboarding process is handled, and certain steps can be completed in advance. Not only does this make it easier for the new hire to reach a productive point, but it can also calm their nerves.

If you are wondering what you can do before the employee’s first day, here are some tips to get you started and improve your onboarding process.

Even after being selected for a job, that doesn’t mean the candidate doesn’t have doubts. After all, they don’t know if they were the first choice or if people are excited about their pending arrival.

You can reduce the new hire’s level of anxiety with something as simple as an email. Craft a message that lets them know they were your top pick and that everyone is looking forward to them joining the team.

Additionally, let them know they can contact you with any questions. This provides them with a resource which, even if they don’t use it, can up their comfort level. If they are less stressed, it will be easier for them to acclimate to the new environment, allowing them to reach a point of productivity faster. Plus, by encouraging them to ask questions, certain topics can be covered in advance.

If you want to go the extra mile, consider adding a few tidbits about the dress code, great places for lunch in the area, parking information, and other clues that make the first day easier to manage.

The email doesn’t have to be long to be effective. As long as it expresses the right sentiment, you’ve hit the target.

Some companies don’t begin creating user accounts or other forms of access until the new hire walks through the door. However, if you can arrange this in advance, it ensures your employee isn’t stuck twiddling their thumbs simply because they can’t log in to a computer.

In cases where signatures or paperwork is required, see if the new hire can complete these before their first day. Let them know what they are for, request they complete the forms, and see if they can scan them to you after completion or bring them along on their first day. This can speed up the process, allowing you to get their credentials as soon as the documents are in hand.

However, don’t include this information in the welcome email, and don’t make early completion mandatory. The welcome email should stand on its own, ensuring it doesn’t seem like a way to sneak work into the conversation. Additionally, if the person is still at another job, they may not have time to complete a mountain of paperwork before they arrive.

Ideally, you want to have your new hire’s first day completely planned out in advance. Schedule when you will handle team introductions, orientation, training activities, benefits paperwork, and anything else that needs to be covered quickly.

Often, you’ll find you have enough to plan for more than just a single day. If that occurs, keep going until every step is handled.

Not only will this plan provide your new employee with some structure, it also helps guide other team members (and yourself) through their portions of the process. That way, everyone is ready to do their part, and the new hire isn’t stuck waiting around without anything to do.

If you want to learn more about onboarding new employees or are seeking candidates for your vacant positions, the professionals at TempStaff can help. Contact us to discuss your needs today and see how our expertise can benefit you and your onboarding process.