When does the onboarding process begin? Is it when you finally get a job interview scheduled? If you answered yes, it might be time to reconsider how you are readying yourself for the next step in your career, especially if you’re working with a recruitment firm who will be by your side from well before your first job interview, right through to the end of your probationary period in your new role. 

Here are three ways you can engage in the ‘pre-onboarding’ process: 

1. Understand your own motivations 

What is most important to you when it comes to a new role? What stage of life are you at and how will your job need to complement that? What are your values?

Really dig into these questions to help you understand what you need from your next role – knowing the answers will help you to communicate with an organisation or a recruitment firm clearly so you can be sure that you will find a good match, with a role that will fulfil you. 

The answers may also surprise you, when you start to explore them. Recently, while placing a candidate through my recruitment firm, Soulidify, I discovered that while remuneration was important to them, what they really wanted was to ensure that they could have a vacation period before starting their new role  – namely between ending their current role and moving into the next one, so that they could take time out, process, and prepare themselves for what was to come next. 

Money matters, but meaningful employment that allows you to get what you need from a role beyond money can be just as important. 

2. Build relationships 

Where possible, look to seek relationships beyond the key decision makers. In the interview, it’s likely that you’ll meet Directors and/or Managers. If it’s possible for you to network and meet others who you’ll be working with, take that opportunity.

Recruitment firms and the hiring manager can be helpful in building these relationships, facilitating opportunities to get coffee with other team members and introducing you to others who work at the organisation. 

Building and nurturing relationships with others in the organisation can be key to a seamless transition into the organisation once you accept an offer. 

3. Look towards a smooth transition 

The time between resignation and entering into your new role can be fraught with danger and it’s critical that you leave a good last impression. It can be difficult to say goodbye to a role, particularly if you have been there for a long time or you’re well-regarded. The offboarding process can bring up emotions that make you second-guess yourself.

While it’s important to listen to these feelings – you also need to be sure that your recruitment firm or your new employer is supporting you throughout this tricky time to keep you positive about the transition, getting you excited about your next step and ensuring you’re not left in the dark at any point about what happens next. 

Onboarding starts before the job interview 

It’s in everyone’s best interest for you to fit in as a productive member of a new organisation. You can read more about this in my book, CareerSuccess, which will help you as you look to succeed through your probationary period and beyond. 

Preparing, even before ‘official’ onboarding begins, can mean that you’re ready to integrate smoothly into an organisation, successfully making it through the probationary period and improving an organisation’s productivity and efficiency.