We’ve all gone through the horrible experience of being the new kid or new employee. It’s one of the most anxiety filled experiences of anyone’s life. We all know how it felt to be coming into a whole new working environment and not knowing anybody. Here are three simple ways to make a new employee feel welcome without scaring them away.
1. Introduce Yourself to Them
This is the most important step in making the new employee feel welcome. Walk up to them with a warm smile and just introduce yourself. It may seem like something frivolous but a new face with a warm smile can make anyone feel comfortable and safe. It’s a great way to make them feel welcome without creeping them out. A lot of people are really shy and would rather walk around in obscurity than introduce themselves to someone new. Take the initiative and say, “Hello, my name is…” Maybe all it takes is a hello from you to break them out of their shell.
2. Offer Advice on their New Position
This is a key component of the new job jitters. A new employee is stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to advice. We all want to show that we know what we’re doing but a little advice can’t hurt. Pull them to the side and offer key tidbits about their position to help them progress. Of course every new employee makes a few mistakes but help them learn from the mistake, figure out how to solve it and avoid making the mistake again. Being that helpful hand goes a long way and can give them the little bit of confidence they need to succeed.
3. Invite Them to Lunch
Everyone knows how it feel being the new kid walking into the cafeteria and not knowing where to sit. So just walk over and invite the new guy to sit and have lunch with you. What harm can it be to have conversation over some sandwiches and soup? No one wants to sit alone in a corner eating their lunch alone, so don’t let that happen. Encourage the new employee to talk to some new people and take the weight of anxiety off their shoulders.
You’re offering 3 powerful suggestions on how to welcome a new employee. We all should get the tour around the office, but the personal touch is really appreciated.
The dreaded lunch room – takes me back to high school when I was the new kid. It’s intimidating to walk in and have all the eyes staring at you. Be friendly and ask the new “kid” to join you.
Very good suggestions on how to welcome somebody new. Anything you can do to smooth out the first few days would be good, like asking if they need help with something. I know, because I had trouble with the combination lock on the bathroom door my first day at a new job and I got help right away. The lady who helped me is still my friend, five years later.
When a new guy comes on board we have a tradition of a business card exchange after the initial handshake. We all have our photos on the cards so it’s easy for the new guy to remember who’s who.
In a small office it’s important to welcome the new girl. I felt very good at one new job and completely ignored at another. If there’s a clique that resents the newcomer you need to take the first step. I say bring some brownies or donuts.
At the very least, introduce yourself and say hello. I worked at a company where not a single person introduced themselves to me when I started, they were all very cliquey and the person training me sat with headphones all day and seemed annoyed whenever I had a question. There is an example of what NOT to do!!
We welcome new hires with a folder of handouts: menus for the restaurants that will deliver lunch, a list of our vending machine items, our free coffee & tea offerings, and the kitchen/lunchroom rules. That way they’re not left in the dark and feel at home right away.
Reach out to help a new hire. I’m sure we all were the new kid on the block at one time and maybe nobody bothered to welcome you? Didn’t it make you feel rotten? Offer a helping hand if you can.
We get apprentices who have to learn on the job, in a prescribed amount of time. That’s a lot of pressure. It’s technical and rigorous training. If they feel accepted it’s easier to stick with the program. Sharing lunchtime and break time conversation helps a lot.
When one of our women retired recently she gave us all some unexpected praise. She said she never would have come back to work a second day if we all hadn’t been so nice to her on the first day of the job.
For the first week we have a new employee we wear name tags. It’s hard to get to know everyone in a new setting, especially when we’re all busy at our own jobs. At least at lunch we can relax and get to know each other and the name tags help.
Greeting a new worker with a friendly attitude and offering to include them at your table in the cafeteria is a good thing. It gave me a chance to explain that there are certain cultural differences and dietary restrictions that I have to abide by, and my new friends were very understanding and welcoming.
I had a new job where they took me out to lunch my first day. It was so warm and inviting!
I always take new employees around and introduce them to everyone. It is tough to be the new guy!
It’s always nice when your supervisor will take you around to meet everyone.
It is so weird walking into a new office with no welcome at all. I’ve had some jobs that go all out for new people, having a welcome breakfast, etc. and others where no one even says hello and you awkwardly sit there on your first day.
It was hard for me coming into my new job, especially being so young. I didn’t know anyone and felt really out of place. Luckily someone from another department reached out and had lunch with me. Made me feel much more comfortable knowing I had someone to talk to and find out about the new place from.
I wish every company would give these 3 things some thought!
I have everyone in the office introduce themselves to the new hires. It’s important we work as a team.
I hate being the new person!! It’s so nerve-wracking not knowing who everyone is and how the company is!
Depending on your role, giving tips might seem rude. If you’re on the same level as me and I didn’t ask for your input, I really don’t want it.
Sometimes being invited to lunch is more nerve-wracking than eating alone. Especially if they go out for lunch, which could lead to some awkward money-divvying situations.
Eating lunch with new people is a great way to meet everyone–less pressure than during the work day.
I never have my employees introduce themselves to the new guy. Let him sink or swim.
Such good tips! It’s a good idea to keep your employees happy!
Always make a welcoming environment, if not things get….awkward.
I like when the employees give me some pointers. It helps me feel included and like I have a fighting chance.
All wonderful ways to make someone feel welcome!
A simple hello goes far. Newbies are likely afraid to make a peep so the longtime employees should break the ice and ease them into the new environment.
We have a mentor program so for the first few days the new person has someone to help guide them, show them around, introduce them to new departments. This gives them a go-to person each day to get acclimated.
A lot of good ideas. They seem like they would be obvious, but a lot of people don’t actually make the effort to make the new person feel welcome.
It is tough to be the new person, but we were all there once. Be friendly to the new person.
Logical suggestions, but not always applied. Go out of your way to welcome the new employee.
New employees just need to be treated like their part of the family…talk to them instead of ignoring them. Go up to them first!
You don’t have to become the new person’s BFF, but no harm in saying hello and introducing yourself. No need to ice them out when they are already likely nervous.
Definitely invite them to lunch. Doesnt have to be every single day after, but so nice to do on day one when they are very alone.
Advice is a great idea, but try and remain positive. I wouldn’t suggest going around the the first day saying oh this guy is a jerk, oh this job sucks, etc. Don’t further scare them! Focus on the good things.
I was grateful to have a longtime employee take me under her wing when I started out. She became a real mentor to me and gave me guidance and great advice that I use to this day.
I so appreciated a tour of the building when I started my job. It was a nice way to ease in before sitting down to train for my new job and it gave me a good intro to where to find everything and everyone.
We leave a small gift for the new employee. Usually ends up being well received and appreciated.
Wow I like all the suggestions I am hearing here! We have a few new people starting at my company in the next few weeks and this will be a huge help.
I follow up with new employees a few times their first few months. I like to check in and see how they are adjusting and what questions or feedback they have.
I wish someone told this to my company when I started. I was sent to my desk the first day and just left there! They seemed really busy and no one even spoke to me all day.
Sharing lunch with a new employee is such a great idea. I’ll never forget one job I had – the first week I was there I ate my bagged lunch alone out by the back until I made friends.
We have all had that new person in the office feeling. These are great suggestions to ease someone into the routine.
It’s always difficult to be the new guy, and I can say that from experience. It’s always great when there is someone who genuinely wants to make you feel welcome. My new coworkers make me feel welcome every day, so I love it, and I encourage others to lend a helping hand.