12 Things to Expect at Job Orientation

John Spacey, July 16, 2018

Job orientation is the process of welcoming employees and giving them the information they need to start their job. This is typically managed by the human resources department of a firm and may be the same for employees at all levels of a company. Alternatively, job orientation may be customized for a role or employee type such as a separate orientation for interns. The following are common elements of a job orientation.

Mission & Vision

Pitching the mission and vision of the firm to employees. The goal is for employees to internalize this message such that they feel they their role has epic meaning.

Organizational Culture

Introducing employees to the culture of the firm such as symbols, history, expectations and norms.

Introductions

Introductions to key people such as executive leadership.

Social Events

Many orientations have social elements such as a lunch or team building exercise.

Organizational Structure

Information about the structure of the organization such as departments and business units.

Business Overview

Overview of your business such as your business model, customers and competitors. This is typically designed to drive home a point such as an urgent need to sustain customer satisfaction in a highly competitive industry.

Administration

Explaining administrative processes or completing paperwork to get employees set up in areas such as access to facilities and systems.

Benefits

Explaining benefits including any required administrative processes to set them up.

Policy

Explaining rules, procedures and policies and setting expectations for behavior.

Training

Training in areas such as safety that is important to starting a job. Training may include collaborative exercises.

Tours

Tours of offices, work sites and facilities.

Scare Tactics

A common theme of job orientation is to prevent new employees from failing. For example, employers may explain common reasons that employees are dismissed or reprimanded. Job orientations are typically friendly and welcoming and these warnings are intended to preempt any problems.

Notes for Participants

Orientation is typically mandatory such that it is paid.

In some cases, orientation begins after you start your job. For example, orientation may be run once a quarter or twice a year.

There is typically nothing you need to do to prepare for orientation. Bring tools to take notes such as a pen and notepad. Some employers may require you to prepare by informing you of steps they want you to take such as reading a guide.

Dress is typically business casual but never dress less formally than you would in the job.

Overview: Job Orientation
Type	Onboarding
Definition	The process of welcoming employees and giving them the information they need to start their job.
Related Concepts	Onboarding » Human Resources » Mission » Vision » Internalization vs Compliance » Epic Meaning »