Top Tips for Successful Onboarding

Kahli Fenn • March 27, 2024

Did you know that approximately 80% of people that start in a role will make the decision of whether they will leave in the first few months?Yikes! Talk about pressure to get it right. It’s like they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.


So let us help you stand out and set your employee up for success!


  1. Onboarding starts before the start date


       Let’s not make the mistake of thinking that once the contract is signed that the hardest part is over. What comes next is your chance to

       shine!


  • 1 week before the start date - get in touch with your new recruit to say you’re looking forward to having them join the team. Include where, when, and who to ask for when they arrive. If you don’t have this detail yet, let them know that someone will get in touch a few days before to set them at ease that it’s all organised and under control.
  • Develop a structured induction program and block time in diaries for those involved to ensure that all colleagues have this time allocated and can plan ahead.
  • 1 day before the start date - send them a text message. A simple “Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!” can help new starters feel welcome and will calm any first day jitters.
  • Ensure you have all tech ready to go, including computer passwords, logins, swipe cards etc. It’s a good idea to have IT on standby too as some sort of technical issue is bound to come up.


    2. The first day


  • Ever started a new role and looked around to realise it’s a ghost town? Not a great look. Plan to have them start on a day where the majority of people are working from the office rather than from home - we know that culture is key for marketers, so make sure they experience it at its best from day 1. Energy and vibe play a big part in this.
  • Welcome pack. Include a “surprise and delight” when they first sit down at their desk. This could be a mixture of company branded items (like notebook and pens) to a handwritten card or note from them team welcoming them. You may also like to include some added details like the best places for lunch or coffee in the area. Think about your employer brand and tone of voice and what kind of welcome would best represent your style, after all, that’s what the candidate has bought into. I once started a new role and had 3 x coffee vouchers for the best café around the corner, it’s the little and thoughtful things that leave a lasting impression.
  • Assign them a buddy - usually a colleague in a similar role that they can shadow and ask any questions about process, systems or where the bathrooms are! The line manager may not always be available so having this person helps them feel welcomed, supported and part of a community from the get-go.

 

    3. Employee retention


  • How you engage in the first few months is crucial to employee retention. Just as much as it’s time for the candidate to showcase why you hired them, it’s also time for you to deliver on what you discussed in the interview process too e.g. company culture, values, management style.
  • It’s important to set your employee up for success by setting time-bound expectations and objectives, ensuring you’re both on the same page. Breaking these down by month and structuring regular catch-ups to discuss feedback are a great way to have open conversations around performance. E.g. Expectations from months 1-3 vs 3-6.
  • In the first month, we recommend a daily more casual check-in for junior candidates and at least weekly for more senior candidates. Having these diarised, even if short meetings, are essential to allowing open discussion and ensuring everything in on track.

 

We know finding the right person for the role takes time, money and effort, so ensuring you have a solid onboarding process in place is a crucial element to a successful hire. By investing in a well thought out and purposeful process that reflects your employer brand, you are not only investing in your new employees but also in the long-term success of the company.


As your recruitment partner, we’re here to support onboarding new hires into your business to help you get the best outcome. Keen to chat on how we can do that for you? Reach out to one of our Talent Partners to discuss.


By Kristina Gerdov November 26, 2025
The final months of the year can feel like a sprint for many marketing teams. Campaigns wrap up, planning cycles ramp up, and suddenly there’s more work than hands to deliver it. If you’re feeling the pinch, a short-term freelancer or contractor might be exactly what your team needs - fast, flexible support without the long-term commitment. How a short burst of talent can keep your projects moving: 1. They hit the ground running Freelancers and contractors are used to adapting quickly. They step into new environments often, so onboarding is light-touch and momentum stays high. Short term freelancers are available and can usually start within a week. They offer the flexibility and agility needed to meet rapidly changing workloads & high project timelines. 2. Perfect for “we just need this done” projects From content bursts to campaign delivery, CRM builds or social execution - project-based specialists can take something off your plate entirely. Their diverse experience working with different businesses and brands results in also bringing a new perspective & injecting fresh energy into the team. 3. Flexible, budget-friendly resourcing Short-term contracts give you the expertise you need only when you need it. No tied-up headcount, no long commitment and using our payroll services can help you get around head count issues too. 4. They help protect your team’s bandwidth Instead of stretching your people thin (or risking burnout), temporary support keeps things moving without compromising quality. Many agency suits and marketers build a career through freelancing. 5. Competitive Rates iknowho freelancers are paid a day rate which includes a loading for leave entitlements. There are no upfront fees, you only pay for the days they work. Download our salary guide for day rate equivalents, or use our day rate calculator here . Where we’re seeing the highest demand Campaign execution & go-to-market support Content, social & creative delivery Email, CRM & lifecycle marketing projects Generalist marketers to support BAU Project managers for short sprints Marketing operations support The real benefit? Momentum. Short-term freelancers keep work flowing during the busiest, most pressure-filled periods. They make sure nothing stalls and that your team stays focused on the high-value work only they can deliver. If you’re weighing up whether temporary support could help, the answer is usually yes. And we’re here to make it easy. Reach out to one of our experienced Talent Partners to discuss your needs today.
By Kristina Gerdov September 3, 2025
For many growing businesses, marketing is often something that gets added to the to-do list of already busy managers or existing teams. A social post here, an email there, and maybe a campaign when there’s time. But without dedicated expertise, marketing rarely delivers the consistency and commercial results your brand needs to grow. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time to bring in a dedicated marketing resource, here are the key things to consider and how to ensure your first hire is set up for success. 1. The Telltale signs If your demand generation has stalled, you’re struggling to convert interest into sales, or your brand presence feels disjointed, it’s time to stop relying on ad-hoc efforts. A dedicated marketer can build and execute a strategic plan that drives consistent results and positions your brand for long-term growth. 2. What to avoid It can be tempting to look for a “jack-of-all-trades” who can do a little bit of everything. The reality? Even the most talented marketer will struggle without clear goals and defined outcomes on what the business is looking to achieve. Hiring without clarity can lead to underwhelming results and frustration on both sides. Be specific about the expertise you need and the outcomes you expect. 3. Why this hire is so important to get right Your first marketing hire is more than just another role, it often lays the foundation for your brands future growth engine. The right hire can build momentum and shape how your future team evolves. The wrong hire however, can stall progress, waste budget, and leave you back at square one. 4. Fractional vs full-time Not quite ready for a permanent commitment? Fractional marketers can be a great short-term solution to get things moving while you build the case for a full-time hire. Just be clear on their remit. Fractional marketers are ideal for campaigns, projects, or interim support, but they’re not typically suited to long-term brand building or team development. 5. What kind of marketer do you actually need? Marketing as a discipline is broad, as are the tools used to reach your desired target audience. Do you need someone to drive digital acquisition, manage partnerships, develop content, or build brand strategy? Start by clarifying your business’s biggest priorities and pain points, then match the skillset accordingly. The clearer you are upfront, the better the outcome. 6. How to set them up for success Hiring the right person is only half the job. To see results and maximum impact, you need to set your new hire up for success. This means: Clear KPIs so they know what good Vs great looks like The marketing tools and access to the resources they need to deliver  Integration into cross-functional conversations with key decision-makers from day one Bec Godkin, Senior Talent Partner says “Marketing can’t succeed in a silo. The deeper your marketer is connected across the business and understands the various levers that shape success, the greater their impact will be” Hiring your first marketer is an exciting step - it signals growth, ambition, and the desire to build something bigger. By being clear on what you need, avoiding common pitfalls, and setting your hire up for success, you’ll give your business the best chance to thrive. At iknowho , we specialise in helping brands make their first marketing hire. If you’d like to talk through what kind of marketer is right for your business, we’re here to help.
By Kristina Gerdov June 25, 2025
Discover what a Fractional CMO is, the benefits they bring, and how to know if hiring one is the right move for your business.
more posts