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Moving overseas to start a new role can be an extremely exciting opportunity, but also extremely nerve-racking. You’ve done all the hard work in acquiring the top talent you need, but where your efforts will be most beneficial to your company is onboarding the employee to ensure that they can settle in and transition smoothly. If there are interruptions along the way it could lead the employee feeling unsettled and potentially moving away from the business. As a business owner, you should take responsibility to support your new employee through the early stages of onboarding. But how would you achieve this exactly?
Educate The Employee Beforehand
The best way that you can give your new employee a heads up of what to expect, inform them on business processes and the area you’re based beforehand. Considering you’ve hired an international employee, it’s unlikely that they’ll be unfamiliar with the city they’re moving to. So, when the employee first comes into the office, perhaps sit them down for a couple of hours in your office and teach them about what they can do, where they can go etc. in the surrounding area. Also, take them for a tour around the office so they know where certain things are in the office which they may need to use regularly.
Set Achievable Goals
It’s easy for new staff to get nervous and stressed in the first few weeks of their new role. They’ll feel pressured to do well and be worried about what the existing staff may think about them. To ensure they don’t feel like this, ease them into the work at the beginning and set the goals that are achievable and in-line with their skill set. This will make it easier for the international employee to understand what’s expected of them.
What Is Their Personal Preference?
The new employees will be introduced to new surroundings when they arrive at the business, so they’ll be finding ways to get comfortable. As an employer, you can help contribute to this. Ask them if they have any personal preferences when it comes to methods that will help them settle in. Perhaps they need certain ergonomic equipment or need a change in the desk chair so they can work to the best of their ability.
These are just the minor adjustments that you can influence. The major ones can also be a great help too. A big worry for international employees is the type of visa they require. A common question they tend to ask is “ which visa do I need ?” when moving to a new country. This is where you can step in and make the arrangements. Other arrangements you can also consider can include accommodation and familiar contacts. These can all help the employee to settle in better and feel more comfortable.
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Getting an international employee on-board can sometimes come with a little language barrier. Ineffective communication can lead to errors and inefficiency. When onboarding a new employee from overseas, it’s good to not bombard them with jargon or slang that they’re unlikely to understand. Throughout training and the early stages of their career, use language that’s understandable and clear. Also, make them aware that you’re always free for them to talk to you if they have any questions or issues that are worrying them.
One point that you should take in for this point is that although you’re trying to make communication as easy as possible for the employee, you shouldn’t appear condescending to them either. Involve them in decision making and encourage them to speak up if they feel the need to.