First days can be a little nerve-wracking for everyone involved. You obviously want your new employee to love the job & fit right in, and they most likely want the same things. With a little-advanced preparation, you can set your new hire up for a great first day!

Here are 4 things to get them on their way to loving their new position.

Spend time preparing in advance for their arrival. 

This one seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes the little things slip through the cracks. Spend a little time making sure that their desk & office is clean & ready for their arrival. This means all the tools they need for the job should already waiting at their desk. Also, take the time to let your team know about the new addition. This could be a simple email letting everyone know his or her name, role, and when they’ll be starting. A little bit of time spent preparing before a new hire’s first day will make them feel welcome upon arrival.

Make the first morning all about them. 

It can be tough to step away from your own duties for a few hours, but it’s imperative to be sure that your new hire gets settled in and doesn’t feel like they’ve been fed to the sharks. Take the time to give them a full office tour and be sure they are aware of where to find anything they may need, from the restrooms to the copy maker. Also use this time to make personal introductions to team members they’ll be working closely with. It really helps new hires settle in when they exchange more than just names with co-workers, so make it a little personal with some background info that they may have in common with their new teammate.

Set them up for long-term success on day one. 

While it’s obvious that new hires will need to be trained, don’t wait to start this process. Begin the first day with small tasks that are easily manageable so that they won’t feel overwhelmed. Set systems in motion for on the job training that will continue past their first few days. Maybe this even comes in the form of a mentor in the office. Don’t wait until your new employee feels overwhelmed, go ahead & make this introduction on day one so that they know where to turn with questions as they inevitably arise in the coming weeks and months.

Ask your new hire for honest feedback. 

Many people don’t think of this one, but it can be one of the most important. When you’re in a new place and have a concern, how likely are you to be open and honest with sharing it? Most of us would keep it to ourselves rather than risk rocking the boat in a new company, but this can just lead to problems and unhappiness as the months go on. Be sure your new hire knows that you want to hear honest feedback on how their first days and weeks are going. And don’t wait for them to come to you. Pop in their office periodically to see how things are going. If they do have any concerns, be quick to help come up with a solution that works for everyone. This shows that you truly care about your new employee and their long-term success at your company.