What Is An Onboarding Survey?
Starting a new job can be overwhelming. New employees are usually excited to get started, learn the ins and outs of their roles, and adapt to the new environment. That’s where an onboarding survey comes in handy. Companies can leverage it to see how new employees are feeling in their first days, weeks, or even months on the job. Basically, an employee onboarding survey is a questionnaire designed to get feedback from new hires about their initial experiences. The goal is to see how well the onboarding process works and pinpoint any areas that could use some improvement. It covers questions like how clear job expectations are, training effectiveness, and whether employees feel like they’re getting enough support from their managers and peers. Below, we’ll dive more into the survey’s importance and see some examples of effective questions to ask your newcomers.
Why Are Employee Onboarding Surveys Important?
Feedback
These surveys give you feedback on how the onboarding process is going on the spot. They help you see what’s going well in the process and what’s not. For instance, if new hires mention that the training was confusing or resources were hard to find, you can fix those issues right away. This makes onboarding easier for future employees and lets current ones know their feedback is valued, ensuring them that they work for a company that always strives to improve.
New Perspectives
Onboarding surveys are also great for getting a new perspective from your recruits. When someone first starts at a company, they see things in a new light and can point out issues that others might miss. Their comments shouldn’t be overlooked just because they’ve just started. On the contrary, this feedback can really help make important changes to policies, procedures, or even the workplace itself.
Employee Engagement
How does a simple survey foster engagement? When new hires are asked for their opinions, they feel like they matter and are part of the team right from the start. This makes them feel more committed to the company and also boosts their spirits. It’s like giving them a warm welcome and showing that you value their input. This creates a positive environment and makes them glad to be part of the company.
Best Practices For Employee Onboarding Surveys
Correct Timing
When it comes to onboarding surveys, getting the timing right is important. You don’t want to overwhelm your new hires with a survey on their first day, but you also don’t want to wait too long and miss out on their fresh impressions. A great idea is to send out surveys at different points during the onboarding process. For example, you can start with a friendly welcome survey during the first week, focusing on their initial impressions. Then, send them a check-in survey within the first month to dive deeper into their experiences with training and job responsibilities. Lastly, create a follow-up survey to give them within their first three to six months on the job to see how the onboarding process is working overall.
Crafting Effective Questions
Survey questions should be easy to understand, short, and aimed at getting useful feedback. To create effective questions, try using different types, like multiple choice, Likert scale, and open-ended questions. Also, make sure to focus on important parts of the onboarding process, like the orientation experience, their opinion about training and resources, how supported they feel, whether they’re happy with the communication channels, or what they think about the company culture. But remember, your questions need to be unbiased to avoid steering your new hires towards a particular answer.
Confidentiality
When asking for feedback from newcomers, it’s important to make sure they feel at ease sharing honest opinions. Let your new employees know that their feedback will be kept private to build a trusting environment. Don’t forget to highlight that the survey aims to improve the onboarding experience for everyone, so it’s completely anonymous and safe for them to answer. You can put this disclaimer at the beginning and end of the survey to encourage more open and valuable feedback, which will ultimately enhance the onboarding process.
Technology
You can’t make good employee onboarding surveys without using technology. Onboarding software is a big help here, as it does the whole process automatically. It lets you design, send, and analyze surveys easily, making sure new hires have a smooth start. First, onboarding software often has editable survey templates, making it easy to ask the right questions. Also, you can use mobile-friendly survey tools so new employees can do them on their phones or tablets. Lastly, use automation and analytics features to see trends, areas for improvement, and how well the process works.
30 Best Employee Onboarding Survey Questions
1. How did you find the overall onboarding experience?
2. Did you get enough support from your manager during the onboarding process?
3. Was the information provided during onboarding clear?
4. Were the training sessions helpful in preparing you for the role?
5. Were your job responsibilities and expectations clearly explained?
6. Did you have access to all the necessary tools to start your job?
7. Did onboarding help you understand the company culture?
8. Are you satisfied with the way your team welcomed you?
9. Did onboarding prepare you well for your daily tasks?
10. Were your initial questions and concerns addressed promptly?
11. Were you introduced to people and departments relevant to your role?
12. Do you have a clear understanding of the company’s vision and mission?
13. Were you given a tour of the office?
14. Are you comfortable using the company’s technology and software?
15. Did you receive enough information about company policies and procedures?
16. How was your experience with HR during onboarding?
17. Were there any parts of the onboarding process you found confusing?
18. How satisfied are you with the onboarding process’s pace?
19. Did you have an opportunity to provide feedback during the onboarding?
20. How well do you feel integrated into your new role?
21. Are you fully informed of the benefits and perks?
22. How effective was communication during onboarding?
23. Did the onboarding experience meet your expectations?
24. Were your workspace and equipment ready for you on your first day?
25. Are you satisfied with the feedback and check-ins from your supervisor?
26. Were you informed about growth opportunities within the company?
27. How would you rate the overall organization of the onboarding process?
28. Did you get informed about safety protocols and emergency procedures?
29. Did you experience any challenges?
30. What improvements would you suggest for the onboarding process?
Conclusion
Getting helpful feedback is key to optimizing the onboarding process. By asking targeted survey questions, you can understand your new employees’ experiences, find areas where you can make things even better, and ensure smoother transitions. Your survey questions should cover things like job role clarity, the effectiveness of the training programs, and overall satisfaction with the process. Gathering your newcomers’ comments helps you make sure they feel welcome, create a supportive work environment, and ultimately keep more team members happy and engaged.