New recruits? Are you prepared?

How to organise yourself ready for new recruits

The lead-in time needs to be balanced-

Not so short that you're not ready for your new recruits when they start.

Not so long that the good ones find something else in the meantime.

I've seen so many new recruits work for weeks on end without uniform and name badges after starting. You will know what you want then to wear and how you want your people to present themselves to your customers. In advance if the start date, have all of this ready.

Send details through to your new recruit - dress standards, punctuality expectations - all the things that you want them to be ready for. Don't get the initially important bits (the customer-facing parts) lost in the weight of an employee handbook or contract or terms and conditions. Send this separately, via email, to your recruit a little while before they start and invite any questions in advance of the start date.

The first day should include all of the compliance bits that you need to get out of the way, so you can then concentrate on getting your new starter out there and learning the ropes. A great way to do this is to have them buddied up with an experiences member of the team, or members of the team. Get them working with the experts in each area, so they can learn from the best and have a great point of contact for any questions or learning needs.

All in all, a rounded approach with some guidance from many people, and you being ready to receive the new starters and inspire them will be the best wag forward.