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The ultimate employee onboarding guide: five steps to onboard new talent
Welcoming new tech talent into your team is more than just an introduction, it’s the foundation for long-term success. Good employee onboarding helps new hires adjust quickly and leads to better employee retention and job satisfaction. Here at Code First Girls we have created a framework based on feedback from our community and employer partners, to help set up your new tech cohort for success.
Why Employee Onboarding Matters
Onboarding helps new employees fit in, understand the expectations on their performance, and start productively contributing. The first impression a company makes is crucial, and an effective onboarding can significantly reduce turnover and increase retention rates by 82%. Code First Girls have identified five key areas for successfully onboarding tech talent.
Five Key Areas for Effective Onboarding: The Code First Girls’ Framework
1. Community Building and Mentoring
Building a strong community for new tech talent begins by introducing them to their main contact on from day one. Starting a new job can be daunting and this ensures new hires know exactly who to turn to for help. Hosting welcome events and making introductions between team members and key stakeholders helps everyone feel like part of the team right away and sets the tone for a good employee experience.
Mentoring during employee onboarding offers numerous benefits, fostering both individual growth and a sense of community within the organisation. New hires paired with experienced mentors acclimatise more quickly, gaining insight into company culture, processes, and expectations through personalised guidance. This relationship not only accelerates the learning curve but also builds confidence and engagement from the outset.
Mentors provide invaluable support, answering questions and offering advice, which reduces the newcomer’s feelings of isolation and enhances job satisfaction.Mentoring helps build better relationships between departments and creates a collaborative environment. Experienced employees support and invest the in success of their mentees, making the workplace more cohesive and supportive.
Checklist
- New starters are introduced to the main POC
- Put in place welcome events & introductions
- Provide mentoring throughout CFGdegree
- Attend the CFGdegree graduation
2. Communication & Clarification
Effective communication and clarification are key to a smooth onboarding process. Start by preparing line managers for their new starters so they can offer the best support from day one.
Set clear goals and KPIs to give your new cohort and/or new starters a roadmap for success. Sharing detailed onboarding timelines and role expectations helps everyone stay on track and know what’s expected. Don’t forget to tell the whole team so they can be ready and excited to welcome the new members and help them get settled.
CHECKLIST
- Prepare line managers for their new starters
- Set goals and KPIs
- Provide onboarding timelines & role expectations
- Internal comms - let your wider teams know!
3. Coding Competencies
Peer coding reviews are a great way to improve the coding skills of new employees, encouraging them to continuously learn and develop from their peers. Provide information in short, digestible bites to avoid overwhelming new starters. Also important to give them the lowdown on old code and legacy systems so they understand the bigger picture. Start them off with manageable first tasks to build their confidence and get them comfortable with the team’s workflow.
CHECKLIST
- Implement peer coding reviews
- Provide short bites of information
- Give info about old code & legacy systems
- Provide manageable first tasks
4. Culture and context
Helping new hires understand the culture and context of your organisation is key to their integration. Start by detailing and aligning them with the company culture so they know what values and behaviours matter. Set up meet-and-greets with senior leaders and stakeholders to give the new starters a broader perspective and help them feel connected.
Schedule regular check-ins to provide ongoing feedback and keep things on track. Support them with mentoring, buddy systems, and networks to ensure they have the guidance and connections they need to thrive.
CHECKLIST
- Detail and align on the company culture
- Meet senior leaders and stakeholders
- Scheduled check-ins with regular feedback
- Provide mentoring, buddy systems & network
5. CAREER PROGRESSION
Helping new hires see their future with your company is all about career progression. Start by outlining the career pathways available so they know what they can aim for.
Highlight the upskilling opportunities available to help them grow their skills. Provide clear progression frameworks to guide their development. And don’t forget to showcase role models within the business to inspire and motivate them.
CHECKLIST
- Outline the career pathways available
- Detail upskilling opportunities
- Provide progression frameworks
- Showcase role models within the business
Happy Onboarding
Effective employee onboarding is crucial for integrating new tech talent and setting the stage for long-term success. At Code First Girls, our comprehensive framework, developed with insights from our community and employer partners, addresses key areas such as community building, communication, coding competencies, culture, and career progression.
By fostering a supportive environment through mentoring, clear communication, and opportunities for growth, new hires can quickly acclimate, feel valued, and see a clear path within the organisation. Tailoring onboarding to individual needs and aligning it with company culture ensures that new employees are not just welcomed but are positioned to thrive and contribute meaningfully from the outset.
To learn about how Code First Girls can help your organisation with your tech hires and onboarding, speak to our experts 👇