Introduction
Facebook's onboarding process is world-renowned.
New hires at Facebook are given a week-long crash course on the company's culture, values, and mission.
They're also given an in-depth look at how the company operates and the role they'll play in furthering its success.
This process has been instrumental in helping Facebook retain top talent and ensuring that new employees are able to hit the ground running.
In this post , we'll take a look at some of the key elements of Facebook's onboarding process and explore how these tactics can be applied to your own HR checklist.
Here are some key elements of Facebook's employee onboarding process that you can use to improve your own.
1. A focus on culture
From the start, Facebook's onboarding process makes it clear that culture and values are a top priority.
New hires learn about the company's mission and what they can do to help further it.
This includes checklist items like identifying company values and familiarizing themselves with the company's history, as well as learning about the various departments and teams within Facebook.
To truly excel at their job, new hires need to understand the role they'll play in helping Facebook achieve its goals.
This is why Facebook's onboarding process also includes an in-depth look at each team member's responsibilities, along with a rundown of who they will be working with and how they can best collaborate with their colleagues.
Facebook recognizes that no one learns everything they need to know on day one of a new job – which is why it emphasizes mentorship throughout onboarding.
This helps ensure that new employees take their role at Facebook seriously and understand how their work fits into the bigger picture.
Invest in working well together
From the start, it's clear that Facebook values teamwork and collaboration.
New hires are placed into small groups and asked to complete group projects together.
This helps them get to know their colleagues better and learn how to work together effectively.
It also allows them to see first-hand how their skills and talents can contribute to the success of a team.
Treat feedback like a gift
Feedback is an essential part of learning, and it's something that Facebook takes seriously.
During onboarding, new hires are given regular feedback on their performance.
This helps them understand what they're doing well and where they need to improve.
It also gives them a chance to ask questions and get clarification on any issues that arise.
By making feedback a regular part of your onboarding process, you can give new hires the support and guidance they need to succeed in their role.
2. Use technology to nudge new hires with the right information at the right time
One of the key elements of Facebook's onboarding process is its use of technology to help employees get up to speed quickly.
During onboarding, new hires are given access to a variety of resources that give them a comprehensive picture of how the company operates and where they fit into the puzzle.
These include employee handbooks, videos, training materials, and more.
And it goes all the way to carefully-timed, automated messages.
Tailoring the right message to the right person at the right time is key to keeping new hires engaged and excited about their job.
This information is carefully designed so that it's presented in an easy-to-digest way at the right time during onboarding.
This ensures that new hires have everything they need to hit the ground running – without getting overwhelmed by too much information too soon.
Make it a two-way street
Facebook's onboarding technology isn't just about giving new hires the information they need to be successful.
It's also about making sure that they have a chance to give feedback and be heard.
This is why Facebook encourages new hires to ask questions and provide feedback throughout the onboarding process.
This feedback is then used to improve the onboarding experience for future employees.
By making your onboarding software a two-way street, you can ensure that it meets the needs of both your company and your employees.
No matter what tool you use.
3. Structured check-ins with managers and mentors
In addition to providing new hires with a wealth of information during onboarding, Facebook keeps the lines of communication open and encourages regular dialogue between managers and employees.
Through one-on-one meetings, mentors can answer questions or address any concerns that new hires may have.
These check-ins also provide an opportunity for managers to get feedback on how their team members are adapting to the company's culture and working style.
A focus on career development from day one
From mentorship programs to regular check-ins with managers, Facebook's onboarding process is designed to help employees grow and develop in their careers.
The company wants its employees to stay with Facebook for the long haul, so it provides them with the resources they need to build a successful career within the company.
This includes access to training and development opportunities, as well as clear pathways for progression within the organization.
By investing in its employees from day one, Facebook sets them up for success – both in the short and long term.
There's no need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to employee onboarding - just download our free checklist, and get started with a tried-and-true process that's guaranteed to set your new hires up for success.
4. Training in essential soft skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and empathy
The hard things are the soft things.
While technical expertise is important for any employee, it is just as crucial for leaders to be effective communicators who know how to work well with others.
This is why the onboarding process at Facebook includes training modules on everything from active listening to working with a diverse team.
Think about it.
Nearly every problem at work boils down to people in some way.
Try investing in trainings on:
- Emotional intelligence
- Team building
- Conflict resolution
These soft skills help ensure that new hires can thrive in any environment, even when faced with unexpected challenges or conflicting ideas.
5. Be bold and take risks
It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and forget that employees need room to explore, experiment, and innovate.
If there's no culture of taking risks, autonomy is actually hard to instill in people.
Facebook has a well-earned reputation for encouraging risk-taking – which is one reason it's an attractive company to work for.
If you want your onboarding process to inspire creativity and ingenuity in new hires, you have to encourage them to think outside the box.
This can be as simple as giving people time and space to pursue their own ideas or allowing them to take on new responsibilities beyond their typical job description.
Even if this mindset is new to your organization, you can still do small things.
Lead by example and show your team that it's okay to fail – as long as you're learning from your mistakes.
Encourage a growth mindset
A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence can be developed and skills can be improved with effort.
This is the cornerstone of Facebook's culture.
The company encourages employees to view challenges as opportunities for growth and to embrace feedback as a way to improve their performance.
This philosophy extends to the onboarding process, where new hires are encouraged to ask questions, seek help, and give feedback.
The goal is to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable learning and growing together.
Conclusion
Implementing these elements of Facebook's employee onboarding process can help you to better engage and retain your top talent.
By investing in your employees from the very beginning, you'll set them up for success in their roles and ensure that they're able to make lasting contributions to your company.
Say what you will about their reputation in the press.
Yet , there's no denying that Facebook is one of the most innovative companies in the world.
With a strong focus on career development, training, and risk-taking, it has become the employer of choice for many top tech talent.
So if you're looking to revamp your employee onboarding process and drive long-term success in your organization, follow in the footsteps of Facebook.
With these tips, you'll be able to create an engaging onboarding experience that inspires creativity, collaboration, and cooperation among your new hires.
Don't leave anything to chance when it comes to employee onboarding - download the free Employee Onboarding Checklist, and make sure you're covering all your bases.