Goal Setting During Onboarding

Setting appropriate goals during onboarding helps new employees understand expectations, track their progress, and feel a sense of accomplishment. Goals should evolve as the new hire moves through the onboarding journey. **Types of Onboarding Goals** **Learning Goals** - Complete required training - Understand key processes and systems - Build relationships with stakeholders - Grasp the company culture and values **Performance Goals** - Initial projects or deliverables - Contribution milestones - Skill demonstration - Independent task completion **Setting SMART Goals** Goals should be: - **Specific**: Clear about what should be accomplished - **Measurable**: Able to track progress and completion - **Achievable**: Realistic given the learning curve - **Relevant**: Connected to the role and organization - **Time-bound**: With clear deadlines **Phased Goal Setting** **Week 1**: Focus on learning and orientation **Weeks 2-4**: Begin contributing with support **Months 2-3**: Take on increasing responsibility **Beyond**: Transition to regular performance expectations **Avoiding Common Mistakes** - Setting goals too early before role is understood - Making goals too ambitious for new hires - Not providing resources to achieve goals - Failing to adjust goals as circumstances change - Not celebrating goal achievement Goals give new hires direction and a sense of progress-make sure they're meaningful and achievable.