How to orient employees into new positions successfully

All firms provide some form of orientation for new employees. This article discusses how to make such programmesmore effective. Three components of orientation programmes are considered: pre‐orientation activities, orientation to the organisation, and orientation to the job. In each case, basic approaches and content are set forth, followed by the techniques used by successful and/or innovative firms. It is concluded that effective orientation programmes generally last longer than their standard counterparts, provide more substantive content, utilise more vivid presentation techniques and participative learning methods, and require more involvement from management and other staff members. Finally, recommendations for how to go about creating or revamping an orientation programme are made.