Onboarding
/ˈɒnˌbɔːrdɪŋ/
nounB2
Definition
Onboarding means the steps a company or group takes to welcome and train new people. It includes teaching them about their tasks, rules, and the workplace culture. The goal is to help new members understand their role and fit in smoothly.
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See It in Action
The process of introducing and training new employees or members
- •The company’s onboarding process includes a tour, paperwork, and training sessions.
- •Good onboarding helps new employees learn their tasks faster.
- •She felt confident after the onboarding because she understood the job well.
The set of activities to help someone join and become part of a team or organization
- •Onboarding new volunteers takes time but improves their experience.
- •The onboarding program includes meeting the team and learning the company culture.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "onboarding" like "starting" a new school year, but for a job or group—it helps you get ready and know what to do.
- ✓Picture a new worker being shown around the office, meeting coworkers, and learning how to use the computer.
- ✓It's the feeling when you first join a team and someone explains everything so you don’t feel lost or confused.
- ✓Sounds like "on-boarding" → imagine stepping onto a ship (boarding) to start a journey in a new place (on).
- ✓Think of a teacher welcoming a new student, helping them find their classroom and books.
- ✓NOT like "hiring" (just choosing someone) — onboarding happens after hiring, to help the person start well.
- ✓NOT like "training" alone — onboarding is bigger; it includes training plus introduction and support.
- ✓NOT like "orientation" only — onboarding is ongoing, not just one day of introduction.
Try Other Words
- •Orientation: a short introduction to a new job or place (Use when talking about the first day or brief introduction)
- •Training: teaching skills and knowledge for a job (Use when focusing on learning specific tasks)
- •Integration: becoming part of a group or system (Use when emphasizing fitting in socially and culturally)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "on" (meaning onto or starting) + "boarding" (getting on board, like a ship or plane)
- •Etymology: Comes from the idea of "boarding" a ship or plane, meaning joining or starting a journey; now used for starting a new job or role
- •Historical development: Originally used in transport, the term moved to business to describe helping new people join organizations smoothly
- •Modern usage: Refers to the process companies use to welcome and prepare new employees or members, including training and social introduction
Reflect & Connect
•How does a good onboarding experience affect how new employees feel about their job and company?
•Can onboarding be important in places other than work, like schools or clubs? How?
Fill in the blanks
1.Onboarding is important because it helps new employees ___ the company rules and culture quickly.
2.A good onboarding process usually includes ___ with coworkers and learning job tasks.
3.Unlike just hiring someone, onboarding means helping them ___ well in their new role.
4.Onboarding often involves ___ training sessions and meetings during the first days or weeks.
5.When onboarding is done poorly, new workers may feel ___ or unsure about their job.
6.The word “onboarding” sounds like getting ___ a ship or plane to start a journey.
7.Onboarding is more than just orientation; it is a ___ process that helps someone become part of a team.