We all know that feeling of walking onto work on the first day. The excitement of starting something new and the anxiety of not knowing what to do, who to talk to, and what is expected of you can create quite the mix of feelings. 

Some of that initial nervousness can be alleviated by instituting a robust mentoring program in your business. Mentoring can not only ease the tensions of the first day, but foster the professional development of a new hire for months into their employment. Let’s take a closer look at how mentoring can help your new hires adjust to your company. 

Simply put, mentoring can increase employee satisfaction by up to 50%, according to Harvard Business Review research. Having employees significantly more engaged can lead to higher retention rates, overall better performance levels, and generally happier employees. 

two men shaking hands

Onboarding Help 

The first few days of any job are stressful. The paperwork alone can be overwhelming not to mention figuring out where things are, names of coworkers, and what specific job guidelines exist. 

Having a mentor who has been on the job for an extended period of time can be of great assistance with guiding your new hire through those awkward first few days. They can personally introduce coworkers, help set up a workstation, and guide them through the requirements of the job for the first few days. 

job interview

Establish a Relationship 

Starting a new job can be a lonely endeavor. Having a mentor that is assigned to each new hire can give that new employee a person to see as a buddy. This person can answer questions, be a familiar face to sit with at lunch, and introduce them to other team members. 

Retaining good team members is partially contingent on how they fit in even during the first few days. Mentors can help build relationships with new hires and build a bond that can allow them to acclimate to your company quickly. 

Supervising and Transferring Knowledge 

Outside of welcoming and befriending a new hire, a mentor’s main job is to observe the new employee in a real situation and ensure that the employee uses the correct work methods and processes. The mentor should provide constant feedback in a positive and encouraging manner.

In addition, the mentor should be available to observe and give feedback on new skills that have been added to the employee’s job requirements. Being available for seemingly small questions and guidance on building skills can mean your employees are all on the same page when it comes to company policies and protocols. It can also be a huge boost for the confidence of a new employee who wants to learn and grow in his/her position. 

For more resources on mentoring for your business, check out our resources pages at North Shore Career Center and MassHire North Shore