Creating Onboarding Milestones for New Employees To Succeed From Day One

Starting a new job is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming for many new hires. Not only are there new people to meet, new workflows to get accustomed to and new expectations to navigate, but the employee onboarding process itself can be exhaustive. 

In fact, the average new hire has to complete 54 activities during the onboarding experience, according to research from Sapling. This includes at least three documents to review and sign, as well as 41 administrative tasks and 10 outcome-based tasks like training. Without a structured and engaging onboarding program, it’s easy for employees to feel lost before their first day is even over. 

A well-structured employee onboarding program goes beyond just the first few days or weeks. It sets the tone for long-term success. Research from Gallup, for instance, shows that a strong onboarding process improves new hire retention by 82% and increases productivity by 70%. Well worth the initial work of setting it up! 

Here are the key onboarding milestones to focus on, along with ideas and tips to improve the overall process and measure its effectiveness. Think of this as your onboarding checklist and guide to fueling employee engagement.

Milestone Zero: The Pre-Day-One Connection 

The employee journey doesn’t start on Day One – onboarding begins before the new hire even walks through the door (or, as the case may be, logs on). A lack of early engagement can quickly leave new employees feeling anxious and unprepared, instead of ready to dive in. 

How To Create a Strong Pre-Boarding Experience

• Send a welcome message: A quick email, video message or even a handwritten note from their manager or team can make new hires feel valued before they start. Plus, these kinds of gestures establish a warm, inclusive company culture right off the bat. 
• Provide access to company resources: Give new hires the employee handbook, benefits information and an overview of company policies so they can review them at their own pace.
• Deliver an onboarding kit: Send company swag, office supplies or tech tools to make them feel like part of the team right away. Include a personal message and a QR code to redeem a welcome reward. This thoughtful touch helps build excitement and connection before their first day.
• Set up technology in advance: There’s nothing worse than spending the first day waiting for IT to set up email or logins. Make sure everything is ready to go.

Milestone One: Day One Done Right 

The first day at a new job is about so much more than just filling out forms – it’s an experience that sets the tone for the rest of the employee’s relationship with the company. The goal? Make sure new hires feel engaged with the company culture and aligned with the greater mission from the start. 

How To Create a Memorable First Day:

• Warm team introductions: A virtual meet-and-greet, welcome lunch or even just a few personal introductions can go a long way.
• Give a clear roadmap: Lay out expectations, key contacts and a schedule for the first few weeks so new hires know what to expect.
• Jumpstart training: Start with the basics, but don’t overwhelm them. Give new hires access to learning resources and let them ease in.
• Set up a 30/60/90-day plan: Help employees see their path forward by outlining key milestones and expectations for the first few months.
• Introduce Inspirus Connects for engagement: Show new employees how to send feedback. Encourage their colleagues to send a welcoming message using the peer recognition features. 

Milestone Two: The First Week Foundations 

The first week is all about settling in, getting to know the team and understanding how things work. The more comfortable the new hires feel, the faster they’ll be able to contribute. 

How To Build a Strong First Week:

• Pair them with an onboarding buddy: Having a go-to person makes it easier to ask questions and get up to speed, instead of always needing to reach out to the HR team or the new hire’s manager. 
• Ease into processes and tools: Introduce key workflows, but don’t throw everything at them at once.
• Gather early feedback: Check in regularly to see how they’re feeling and address any concerns.
• Encourage peer recognition: Use Inspirus Connects to celebrate small wins and create an engaging experience so the new hire really feels like they’re part of the team and not just another name on an email list.

Milestone Three: Crossing the One-Month Mark 

At the one-month mark, the new hire should have a strong grasp of their role and how to contribute to the company. This is a great time to reinforce their progress, instill a sense of the company’s culture of appreciation and set them up for continued success. 

What to Focus on for the Month One Anniversary:

• Check for role clarity and mission alignment: Make sure employees fully understand their responsibilities and how their work impacts the company. Ask what further support they may need.
• Gather feedback on the onboarding process: Ask new hires what’s working and what could be improved to refine the experience for future hires.
• Celebrate their first month: Use Inspirus Connects to send a company-wide announcement, allowing teammates to congratulate the new hire and reinforcing a culture of recognition.

Milestone Four: 90 Days of Momentum

The 90-day mark is when onboarding should shift into long-term employee engagement. By now, employees should feel confident, connected and productive.

How To Maintain Momentum:

• Recognize wins: Celebrate contributions and accomplishments to keep employees motivated.
• Discuss long-term career goals: Talk about growth opportunities and future development aligned with the employees’ progress.
• Foster deeper team connections: Encourage cross-team collaboration and mentorship.
• Use Inspirus Connects’ Team Recognition Dashboard: Track engagement levels and ensure employees feel appreciated.

Milestone Five: Long-Term Success

Onboarding doesn’t stop at 90 days. The best companies continue to invest in employee growth and engagement long after the initial onboarding period. Recognizing employees early and often is key to retention.

How To Foster Success for Years to Come:

• Encourage continuous learning: Employees want to grow. Provide structured paths for promotions and leadership development whether that’s through ongoing training, mentorship programs or other professional development opportunities.
• Implement performance reviews: Conduct quarterly and annual evaluations with clear goals, but also provide informal feedback along the way.
• Recognize small and big wins: Use Inspirus Connects to celebrate work anniversaries, promotions, project milestones and everyday achievements.
• Support employee well-being: Prioritize mental, physical and financial wellness initiatives to create a healthier, happier workplace.

Proven Ways To Meet Employee Onboarding Milestones

Hitting onboarding milestones isn’t about ticking boxes – it’s about creating an experience that makes new hires feel valued and ready to contribute. Compare a poor onboarding process that leads to confusion and frustration to an effective one that helps drive employee satisfaction, productivity and retention. 

Ensure Success at Every Milestone:

• Leverage employee software: Setting new hires up doesn’t just require employee onboarding software – big-picture success means prioritizing engagement and recognition with tools like Inspirus Connects. 
• Personalize the journey: No two employees are the same. Tailoring onboarding milestones to individual roles and career goals fosters deeper engagement and connection.
• Celebrate progress along the way: Recognition isn’t just for big wins. Acknowledging milestones, like completing training or reaching the 90-day mark, keeps employees motivated.
• Encourage continuous feedback: Onboarding isn’t a one-way street. Regular check-ins and open conversations help improve the experience for future hires.

The best onboarding programs help employees adjust in the moment and set them up for lasting success. 

Foster an environment where employees thrive from day one and beyond. Learn more about how Inspirus Connects how they’re helping build thriving cultures at work.