Welcoming new employees seems simple enough, but there is much more to it than meets the eye.

New employees form a first impression of your company the moment they walk in the door. Their opinion starts building as early as the interview process and then will continue to build in the first few days of their new job.

Now, a new employee's first impression can only go two ways: negative or positive. So, how can you, as an employer, make sure that your new employees start their job on a positive note?

Well, we're here to answer that question for you. In today's article, we will talk about how to welcome new employees--both on-site and virtual--and why learning how to do so is important for the company as a whole.

Let's get started!

Why Learning How To Welcome New Hires Is So Important

Giving a new employee a proper welcome is extremely important. Keep in mind that first impressions are everything, and the impression of a new hire will largely determine how well they adjust to the company during their first few weeks. Of course, no one wants to feel uncomfortable or out of place--especially at a new job--which is why it's so important for companies to put more effort into welcoming every new hire.

When a new employee feels welcome and at ease right from the very start, they are more likely to transition faster into their new role, which, in turn, boosts their productivity and motivation. More than that, a new employee is almost always an excited employee, and you don't want to kill that fervor with a bad impression.

All that said, let's talk about how to properly welcome a new employee.

How To Welcome New Hires: 5 Ideas

When welcoming a new employee, a little effort goes a long way. Here are some simple yet meaningful ways to welcome a new employee to the team:

Send a Welcome Message

Sending the new hire a welcome message is perhaps the easiest way to make them feel welcome on their first day. Make them feel recognized the moment they join the team with a simple message giving them a warm welcome to the company, as well as a reminder to reach out when they need help.

In the welcome message to the new hire, you can also provide details of the job offer unless you think it will make the message feel too formal. Other than that, you can also ask other members of the team to send welcome messages to the new employee to make them feel extra special.

Pro tip: Instead of a welcome email, give the new employee a handwritten welcome letter. It feels more personal that way and shows that you took the time to make them feel valued.

New Hire Swag Pack

A new hire does not expect gifts on their first day at work, so a new hire welcome kit will surely be a pleasant surprise. More importantly, it is a nice gesture to show them that they are an important member of the team, even if they are only the "new person".

In your new employee welcome kit, consider including things that they may find useful at work, such as desk calendars, planners, noise-canceling headphones, and neck pillows, among many others.

Prepare For Training

A new employee should not be expected to know what to do on the first day, even if they already have experience in the industry. That said, it is imperative that you have training ready for the first day so that your new employee can dive right in and build their confidence quickly.

You can start by familiarizing them with the employee handbook, as most first days go. Then, you can start training them on the actual work to help prepare them for when they finally take on their new role completely.

Give Them Everything They Need

Swipe cards, parking passes, IDs, credentials--make sure every new employee has everything they need before their first day of work. Otherwise, they are likely going to feel unimportant when they walk in and find out that nothing has been prepared for them. More than that, they may be unable to transition as smoothly as possible without the things they need.

Encourage Ice-Breakers

A new employee is always being told to approach existing employees and get to know them, but this can feel awkward more often than not. So instead, encourage your existing employees to approach the new employee and break the ice over a cup of coffee or an outdoor lunch. When it's your older employees that are actively reaching out, your new employee will feel even more welcomed to the team.

How To Welcome New Hires Virtually

Welcoming a new employee that works remotely can be challenging. For one, there is no physical environment to help them get a feel for the company culture. More than that, talking over Zoom just doesn't feel the same as giving a new employee a warm welcome face-to-face.

Nevertheless, there are still a lot of ways you can welcome a new employee virtually. Here are some of the best ones:

Write a Welcome Email

Just like for a new employee in the office, a welcome email is the easiest way to welcome a new employee virtually. Write them a personalized welcome email (details on the job offer are optional), encourage them to reach out, and let them know your times of availability.

Send a Welcome Pack

Giving your new employee a welcome gift shows the effort you are willing to make in order to make remote employees feel welcome. And that is exactly what you need to make a good impression, especially for virtual employees.

Some good items to include in your virtual employee welcome pack are company swag (hoodies, T-shirts, socks), snacks, drinks, office supplies, tech accessories, seat cushions, and maybe even gift cards! We've got all sorts of other virtual employee appreciation ideas, too.

Hold a Virtual Meeting

Getting to know your co-workers is a lot more difficult when working remotely, so make it a point that your new employee has a chance to meet everyone on the team. Host a virtual meeting just for welcoming the new employee (this in itself will make them feel valued), and just spend time getting to know each other. It's also a pleasant break for everyone, so win-win!

Additional Ways To Make New Hires Feel Welcome

As you can see, even the simplest gestures can make a new employee feel comfortable right on their very first day. Writing a welcome message, sending welcome kits, encouraging ice-breakers--all of these show your new hire that they are valued right from the very start. And as a result, they feel more motivated and more prepared to take on their new role.

More than that, it helps new employees transition easily into their team, which benefits everyone. Team members can fall into sync with each other much easier; supervisors can get to know their new employees quickly, and the new member will find it easier to make friends in the workplace.

But wait, what are other ways that can help you make new hires feel welcome?

Take Them Out To Lunch On Their First Day

The first day is full of nerves - you can help eliminate some of these nerves by treating your new hire to lunch. If you can't get it done on their first day because they're busy with onboarding, at least treat them during their first week at the job. This will make them feel right at home as they get to know you - whether you're the hiring manager, their superior, or the CEO. If you're wondering how to make new hires feel welcome, getting some one-on-one time over lunch is a great idea.

Consider Holding a Gathering

Office gatherings are a great way to engage both old and new employees, as well as an opportunity for everyone to get to know one another.

Consider holding a gathering every month for the sole purpose of welcoming your new employees. Aside from making your new hires feel special, an office party may be just what they need to assimilate into their new environment. Plus, it's a fun way to blow off some steam at the end of the week, so everyone benefits from it!

Perform Check-Ins

Don't forget to check in with your new employee from time to time. Ask them if they are adjusting well and if there is anything you can do to make their transition easier. Most people will hesitate to reach out for fear of seeming incompetent, so it is important that you be proactive in ensuring that they are getting on well.

Checking in with your new employee also shows them that it's okay to reach out, and that help is always available when they need it. This will help them get the hang of things much quicker, which will also reduce the risk of mistakes.

If you need more tips on how to welcome new employees to your team, check out our previous article where we talk all about onboarding new employees.

Final Thoughts On How To Make New Hires Feel Welcome

First impressions are crucial, especially when it comes to the people that are going to help bring your company to success. With that being said, it's time to ramp up your welcoming strategy and find more ways how to make new hires feel welcome right from the very start.

Want the best and easiest way to give your employees a warm welcome? Why not give them awesome swag packs from Swag Bar? With our curated swag packs full of premium products, your new hires are bound to feel special with such a thoughtful gift!