Top Talent Onboarding Pitfalls and How to Steer Clear of Them

Onboarding is the bridge between potential and performance. It’s the key to transforming a promising new hire into a confident, high-performing, and engaged employee. 

However, did you know that only 29% of new hires feel prepared to take on their roles after onboarding? That means over 70% are left feeling uncertain, missing out on the head start they deserve—and that’s a missed opportunity for both your employees and your business.
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In this blog, we’ll explore why having a seamless employee onboarding process flow is critical. We’ll also uncover the common pitfalls that can derail the process and share actionable solutions to set your new hires up for success from day one.

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Why Proper Onboarding Matters?
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A proper onboarding process is more than a routine step—it’s a strategic investment with measurable benefits. By implementing a structured and thoughtful onboarding plan, you can unlock outstanding results for your team and your business.

Here’s why getting onboarding right is one of the smartest moves you can make!
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Makes employees feel engaged and valued

A rushed or disorganized onboarding process can leave new hires feeling like just another cog in the machine. From its structure to the time you dedicate to it, every detail plays a vital role in shaping your employee’s onboarding experience.

With new employee turnover rates reaching as high as 20% within the first 45 days, those initial days are more critical than ever.

This is your opportunity to make new hires feel engaged and valued—an investment that pays off as they’re more likely to go the extra mile, collaborate effectively, and remain loyal to your organization.
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Helps keep your top talent around

A well-designed onboarding process does more than set new hires up for success—it encourages your hired top talent to stay. In fact, businesses with a smooth onboarding process see employee retention rates improve by 52%!

Without proper onboarding, new hires often feel uncertain about their roles, left with unanswered questions, and disconnected from the team. These concerns can lead to disengagement and, ultimately, higher turnover.
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Gets them up to speed faster

A new hire often needs time to get up to speed. Becoming fully productive in their role can take eight to 12 months. Of course, this timeline can vary depending on the specific role and industry. 

While achieving faster ramp-up times involves more than just onboarding, an effective onboarding process can significantly contribute to a smoother transition. Yet, many organizations miss the mark in this area. Recent surveys reveal that only 52% of new hires are satisfied with their onboarding experience, 32% find it confusing, and 22% describe it as disorganized.
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Sets clear expectations from day one

Ambiguity at work can lead to unmet expectations, confusion, mistakes, and frustration—not exactly the best way to start a new role! That’s why a solid onboarding process is so important. It helps new hires understand what’s expected of them and gives them the confidence to focus on their goals.

On top of that, great onboarding empowers employees to ask for the tools and resources they need to succeed. This builds trust and shows them they’re supported, which goes a long way in helping them thrive and make a real impact.
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Creates a strong, connected company culture

Onboarding is your chance to show new hires what it’s really like to be part of your company. It’s their first look at the values that matter most to you, the goals you’re working toward, and the amazing people they’ll be working with every day.

Teamwork and harmony are key in any organization, and a great introduction to your company culture sets the tone. It shows new hires how things work and what they can expect as part of the team.
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Boosts confidence right away

A solid onboarding process helps your new hires find their footing and sets them up to thrive in their roles—precisely the kind of start you want for them. It gives them a clear understanding of what they’re working with and what’s expected of them.

Without proper onboarding, new employees can feel like they’ve been left to fend for themselves, which is the last thing you’d want them to experience. Starting off on the right foot makes all the difference!
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Saves you time and money in the long run

Having a strong employee onboarding process flow can help you avoid high turnovers, low productivity, and mistakes. In fact, it can boost new hire retention by up to 82% and reduce the chances of non-starters. 

With fewer setbacks and a more stable team, you’ll save on the headaches (and expenses) of rehiring, retraining, and lost productivity.
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Keeps everything running smoothly and safely

When new hires aren’t clear on protocols or compliance requirements, it can lead to unintentional disruptions or even safety issues—and no one wants that. That’s where onboarding comes in! It helps ensure your team is prepared, informed, and ready to hit the ground running.

With proper training, your team can work smoothly, avoid costly mistakes, and keep the workplace safe and productive for everyone.

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8 Common Onboarding Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
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Lack of clarity and communication

When roles, expectations, or workflows aren’t clearly defined, new hires can feel lost and unsure about how to contribute. This kind of confusion can quickly turn into frustration, disengagement, and even early turnover.

What you can do:

• Creating a detailed onboarding checklist that outlines job responsibilities, key contacts, tools, and other resources they’ll need.
• Scheduling regular meetings and giving them easy access to company policies, FAQs, and training materials so they always know where to go for help.
• Encouraging open dialogue to create a supportive environment where new hires feel comfortable asking questions and getting the answers they need.
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Inadequate training and resources

Did you know 63% of remote employees feel their onboarding process isn’t enough, leaving them unprepared for their role? Without the right tools and knowledge, your new hires won’t be set up for success—and skipping out on proper training can make your team feel ill-prepared and ultimately cost your business time and money.

What you can do:

• Prepare all tools and systems ahead of time so new hires have everything they need from day one.
• Provide training materials that are specific and relevant to the role, giving them the key info they need to get started.
• Hold hands-on sessions where you walk through processes together, giving new hires a chance to ask questions and get clarity.
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Overwhelmed new hires

As we mentioned earlier, new hires have a learning curve, and bombarding them with all the information they need to know can leave them feeling overwhelmed—trust us, even the most enthusiastic new hire will feel this way!

What you can do:

• Breaking the onboarding process into phases allows them to get more comfortable in their role.
• Provide a clear outline of what they’ll learn and accomplish each week so they can absorb the information at a comfortable pace without feeling rushed.
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Ignored company culture integration

Focusing solely on tasks without integrating your new hires into the company culture can make them feel like outsiders. This can greatly reduce their engagement and morale.

What you can do:

• Introduce new hires to their colleagues in informal settings, whether through virtual meetups or in-person events.
• Provide insights into the company's mission, values, and culture, helping new hires understand how they fit into the larger picture.
• Include new hires in social activities, team meetings, and company events, even if they’re virtual, to encourage bonding and a sense of belonging.
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Delayed feedback and lack of support

Without timely feedback or a support system, new hires may feel unsure about their performance, leading to anxiety or disengagement.

What you can do:

• Setting up weekly or biweekly check-ins during the first 90 days to offer feedback, answer questions, and track progress.
• Pairing new hires with a mentor or buddy. Having someone to turn to for guidance can make them feel more supported and confident in their role.
• Creating an open-door policy for feedback. Encourage new hires to voice their concerns and offer constructive feedback to improve the process.
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Failed to set long-term growth expectations

When employees don’t see a clear path to growth, they’re less likely to stay motivated or committed.

What you can do:

• Discussing future growth opportunities during onboarding so employees know what they can work toward.
• Creating a tailored development plan for each new hire, helping them set professional goals, and outlining how they can achieve them within the company.
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Lack of integration with remote teams

Remote hires often feel disconnected from the rest of the team, leading to feelings of isolation and reduced collaboration.

What you can do:

• Leveraging video calls, chat platforms, and collaborative tools to keep remote employees connected and engaged on a regular basis.
• Involving remote employees in team meetings and company updates makes them feel included in meaningful conversations, even if it’s virtual.
• Encouraging virtual team-building activities helps remote employees bond with their colleagues outside of work tasks.
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No follow-up after onboarding

Onboarding doesn’t end after the first month. Without follow-up, new hires might feel abandoned, leading to unresolved issues or unmet expectations.

What you can do:

• Scheduling 30-, 60-, and 90-day follow-up check-ins to address lingering questions, provide additional feedback, and ensure they’re on track.
• Gathering input on their onboarding experience is a great chance to learn about any challenges they’ve faced and identify areas for improvement in the process.
• Providing ongoing support throughout the employee’s first year so they feel consistently guided and supported as they settle into their role.

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Create a Winning Start for Your New Remote Hires

Starting off on the right foot is crucial for the success of any new hire, especially in a remote setting.

At MultiplyMii, we’ve successfully onboarded new remote hires for more than 250 clients, helping them improve their employee onboarding process flows and more!

Our team is equipped with the knowledge, expertise, and experience to streamline the onboarding process and make it seamless for you.

Let us take the stress out of hiring and onboarding so you can sit back, relax, and focus on what matters most!

‍Book a FREE consultation with our team today to get started!