11 Most Thoughtful Ways to Welcome New Employees

Make sure every new employee’s experience starts on a high note.

Question: What's one different and appreciated way to welcome a new employee to your team?

Question: What's one different and appreciated way to welcome a new employee to your team?

Question: What's one different and appreciated way to welcome a new employee to your team?

Send Them a Handwritten Note

"We love to send handwritten notes at ONA -- to customers, vendors, friends of the brand, etc. I think a handwritten welcome note from the team is a nice, unexpected gesture. To make it more fun, you could include a stamped portrait of the team members or coordinate to get your team member their own personalized stamp as well."


Be Prepared for Them

"It’s probably sad that this qualifies as different, but preparing workspaces and credentials ahead of time can make a new employee’s first days noticeably more welcoming than one filled with awkward downtime and disorganization."


Schedule One-On-One Time

"As a small business, the most important asset you have is your people. Individual contributors are great, but true camaraderie can mean the difference between success and failure. From day one we invest in having new hires know the work that everyone does; equally important is that they know who our teammates are outside of Modify. Scheduling long one-on-ones with all teammates is a great start!"


Pick Up the Phone

"No one makes phone calls anymore, so it will blow their minds when you (or the CEO of your company) welcomes them this way on the first day. Don't leave a voicemail, though. If no one picks up, text the new hire your number and say why you're calling. The most important thing is making the overture, not whether you actually connect. "


Do Happy Hour Before Their Start Date

"At ZinePak, we schedule happy hour drinks one night the week BEFORE every new hire begins. This gives the new addition a chance to meet the team in a social setting and talk about things other than work. This way, when he/she starts on the first day, there's already a familiarity with everyone. We've found that it's a great way to introduce our culture and reduce the stress of starting a new job."


Plan a Team Outing

"Making new employees feel at home, especially on day one, is an important part of our growing company. We make our new employees feel welcome by greeting them with a welcome kit filled with company swag, arranging meetings with the various departments so they can see what each person does, as well as planning a team outing shortly after their arrival."


Make Intros to Key Stakeholders

"At Yodle, we introduce new employees –- regardless of level and position –- to the company’s leaders. This helps employees feel like they a part of the overall mission of the company, and increases their loyalty and engagement for the long haul."


Grab Lunch

"I always make a point of having lunch with a new employee on their first day. I've found it helps put them at ease, gives them an informal atmosphere for questions and excitement and helps develop a more personal relationship. Honestly I wish I did this more with employees generally, but on the first day it's crucial."


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11 Most Thoughtful Ways to Welcome New Employees

Make sure every new employee’s experience starts on a high note.

Question: What's one different and appreciated way to welcome a new employee to your team?

Question: What's one different and appreciated way to welcome a new employee to your team?

Question: What's one different and appreciated way to welcome a new employee to your team?

Send Them a Handwritten Note

"We love to send handwritten notes at ONA -- to customers, vendors, friends of the brand, etc. I think a handwritten welcome note from the team is a nice, unexpected gesture. To make it more fun, you could include a stamped portrait of the team members or coordinate to get your team member their own personalized stamp as well."


Be Prepared for Them

"It’s probably sad that this qualifies as different, but preparing workspaces and credentials ahead of time can make a new employee’s first days noticeably more welcoming than one filled with awkward downtime and disorganization."


Schedule One-On-One Time

"As a small business, the most important asset you have is your people. Individual contributors are great, but true camaraderie can mean the difference between success and failure. From day one we invest in having new hires know the work that everyone does; equally important is that they know who our teammates are outside of Modify. Scheduling long one-on-ones with all teammates is a great start!"


Pick Up the Phone

"No one makes phone calls anymore, so it will blow their minds when you (or the CEO of your company) welcomes them this way on the first day. Don't leave a voicemail, though. If no one picks up, text the new hire your number and say why you're calling. The most important thing is making the overture, not whether you actually connect. "


Do Happy Hour Before Their Start Date

"At ZinePak, we schedule happy hour drinks one night the week BEFORE every new hire begins. This gives the new addition a chance to meet the team in a social setting and talk about things other than work. This way, when he/she starts on the first day, there's already a familiarity with everyone. We've found that it's a great way to introduce our culture and reduce the stress of starting a new job."


Plan a Team Outing

"Making new employees feel at home, especially on day one, is an important part of our growing company. We make our new employees feel welcome by greeting them with a welcome kit filled with company swag, arranging meetings with the various departments so they can see what each person does, as well as planning a team outing shortly after their arrival."


Make Intros to Key Stakeholders

"At Yodle, we introduce new employees –- regardless of level and position –- to the company’s leaders. This helps employees feel like they a part of the overall mission of the company, and increases their loyalty and engagement for the long haul."


Grab Lunch

"I always make a point of having lunch with a new employee on their first day. I've found it helps put them at ease, gives them an informal atmosphere for questions and excitement and helps develop a more personal relationship. Honestly I wish I did this more with employees generally, but on the first day it's crucial."


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