There's a risk that sits between a candidate's offer acceptance and their start date. With new clients, we often find their on-boarding process lacks the empathy that jumpstarts the employer/employee relationship. They simply expect the candidate to show up in two weeks without any further communication.
When you invest valuable time and resources interviewing then choosing the right candidate for your open position, the work doesn't doesn’t stop when they accepts your offer. Going a few extra steps with a warm welcome will solidify your new relationship and more importantly, ensure they aren't drawn to a competing company that makes a deeper connection and shows a greater level of interest.
For starters, the candidate needs more interaction following the offer than with just HR and/or the agency recruiter. We recommend having the hiring manager speak directly with the candidate following offer acceptance, ideally within 48 hours. A lunch or coffee meeting is preferred, even if in your building’s cafeteria. If not feasible, at least set up a phone or video call.
When the candidate hears directly from you, "Welcome aboard. We’re excited to get you started on the team. Read up on these topics in the meantime..”, you’re creating an emotional bond no 3rd party headhunter can replicate. We also encourage having other key peers on the team send a welcome message to reinforce everyone’s expectations.
Next is to stay aware of the events that occur with the candidate between offer acceptance and start date. Our organization provides constant updates to our clients including confirmation the resignation went smoothly, the candidate’s reaction to a counter-offer and their last day with the current employer. We consistently push for real time updates on your behalf, leaving nothing to chance.
If you're only notifying your new hire when and where to show up after they accept your offer, it's not enough. A warm welcoming onboarding strategy will minimize your risk of a candidate speculating their decision or backing out for a competitor that gives more attention.