Getting to “Yes”: 7 Tips for Engaging New Hires from Offer to Launch!

Finding, growing, and keeping effective employees is one of the most invigorating aspects of a school leader’s job. It’s also one of the most challenging! A competitive market for top talent presents the perfect opportunity to amplify our onboarding efforts to ensure that new staff feels like they are a part of the team even before their first day–especially if they were hired early in the staffing season and won’t be starting for weeks (in some cases, months). Following an accepted offer, it’s all about creating and building connections. Here are some ways to do just that!

Tip 1: Send a handwritten note thanking them for their participation in the process and express the team’s excitement about having them join the organization. Better yet, have multiple members of the team sign the note!

Tip 2: Begin including them in positive staff communications as soon as possible–newsletters, social media posts, updates, etc.

Tip 3: Invite them to participate in school events like end-of-year picnics, social gatherings, student performances, and other opportunities to meet families.

Tip 4: Please provide them with early access to resources to help them plan for the year ahead.

Tip 5: Send an announcement to the staff to introduce the new team member and include a photo and bio.

Tip 6: Connect each new hire to a liaison at the school–a peer who can maintain regular contact with them, answer questions for them, and help them acclimate to the environment. This is especially important for novice teachers!

Tip 7: Create a “swag box” for them brimming with your brand! Stickers, notebooks, mugs, t-shirts, and lanyards are a great place to start!

Feeling a sense of belonging and a connection to a new team is essential to keep our new hires engaged and included at every step of their journey. We would love to hear what has worked best for you! In the meantime, check out this Harvard Business Review article on the value of belonging at work. Please keep us posted!