What happens at your property management company when you hire a new employee? It probably looks something like this: the offer is accepted, then a couple of weeks pass. On day one, the new employee receives a crash course in everything he or she needs to know about the company and his or her role. The experience can be best described as chaotic – both for the newbie as well as for you.
If this is how your onboarding process works, you’re not alone. In fact, chances are some, if not all of your competitors are probably making the same mistakes. The good news is, it’s never too late to turn things around. In fact, if you take measures to correct the following common hiring mistakes, you can give your property management a distinct leg up in the process.
Hiring Mistake #1: Failing to educate.
There may be some information about your property management company that is publicly available, but why burden your new hires with the additional task of having to track that information down? Instead, give your new employees a head start by sending them material that will help educate them about who you are, what your vision is, etc. before they arrive on day one. You may even consider producing a video for new hires to help get them up to speed on your company and what to expect.
Hiring Mistake #2: Leaving burning questions unanswered.
When a person is in the process of changing jobs, they’re usually busy trying to tie up loose ends, getting ready for their new role and tending to other personal matters. To make the transition easier and improve the new-hire experience, create and share a list of frequently asked questions that may be weighing on your new employee’s mind. For instance, you might provide details on how to transfer their 401(k) or what documentation they’ll need to streamline the paperwork process.
Hiring Mistake #3: Making things more complicated than they need to be.
The goal of onboarding (or preferably “pre-boarding” – before day one) is to get your new employee excited about starting their new role with your property management company. The opposite will occur if you overload them with too much information and too many tasks during an already stressful transition period. To avoid this, keep educational materials at a high level and try to customize these materials based on each role. This can make reviewing them less of a chore and more of a positive experience.
Hiring Mistake #4: Treating each new hire the same.
Everyone who works at your property management company is an individual. So, why would you treat all of your incoming employees the same? To make the hiring process a more positive and productive one, try adding a personal touch. Send a physical welcome letter, preferably handwritten. If you really want to make an impact, send out a survey in advance of each employee’s first day asking about their likes and dislikes. Then, create a personalized welcome package that includes some of those things.
Consider for a moment that 50% of all employees who resign from their jobs will receive a counter-offer from their existing employers. Furthermore, one-fifth of new employees will quit a job within the first 45 days. By avoiding the mistakes listed above, you’ll keep your new hires from second-guessing their decision and have a much better chance of retaining them for the long haul.
