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From the time they fill out their W-4’s and I-9’s until they receive their first real assignment, there’s a tremendous amount of work that goes into setting up a new hire for success. Even if they are coming from a similar position at which they excelled, every company does things a little different, and there is always a massive amount of information to unload before they can hit the ground running. Despite this, most training programs are built for expediency, designed to get new employees acclimated as quickly as possible, and they don’t always provide the most welcoming experience.

When recruits have to tread through all of that new information without the proper guidance or tools, there’s a risk that they will get lost or ghost their employer by not showing up. Companies that invest in friendly and engaging onboarding apps, on the other hand, which go beyond the simple orientation to fully prepare new candidates for the job, are more likely to retain them.

Depending on the nature of the position or business, the orientation process can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a month. During that time, the trainee will come to know the in’s and out’s of their position, the company’s policies and procedures, as well as what will be expected of them in terms of their conduct and the content of their work. An orientation is an overall introduction to the business that typically only occurs once at the beginning of employment. It includes the filling out of legal paperwork, assigning of materials and uniforms, as well as various presentations and exercises that expose new recruits to the company’s core values and culture, while also presenting an opportunity for them to get to know their fellow co-workers.

A paper-heavy, unorganized orientation can leave new employees feeling overwhelmed, confused, sometimes even alienated. Conversely, when they have experienced a friendly, easy to navigate process, they will feel appreciated as members of the team even before their first day.