Your new hire's first week will shape the next year of their productivity. Most companies treat onboarding as an HR checklist when it's actually one of the highest-leverage investments in developer ex
I’ve seen both sides: one-week deep dive onboardings that set you up for success, and total chaos where no one has time. A bad start kills any motivation, and I’ve even seen hires leave within 3 months, costing even more with starting a new hire process.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Mary!
It's really valuable to hear from someone who's seen both ends of the spectrum.
Your point about the three-month departures really hits home. It's exactly the kind of hidden cost I wanted to highlight in the article. When someone leaves that early, you're not just back to square one with recruiting; you've also lost all the time and energy that went into those chaotic first weeks, plus the opportunity cost of what that person could have contributed if they'd been set up properly from the start.
The contrast you describe between the one-week deep dive and the "no one has time" approach perfectly illustrates why onboarding deserves to be treated as a strategic investment rather than an afterthought. That week of focused onboarding pays dividends for years, while the chaotic approach can cost you a great hire in just months.
I’ve seen both sides: one-week deep dive onboardings that set you up for success, and total chaos where no one has time. A bad start kills any motivation, and I’ve even seen hires leave within 3 months, costing even more with starting a new hire process.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Mary!
It's really valuable to hear from someone who's seen both ends of the spectrum.
Your point about the three-month departures really hits home. It's exactly the kind of hidden cost I wanted to highlight in the article. When someone leaves that early, you're not just back to square one with recruiting; you've also lost all the time and energy that went into those chaotic first weeks, plus the opportunity cost of what that person could have contributed if they'd been set up properly from the start.
The contrast you describe between the one-week deep dive and the "no one has time" approach perfectly illustrates why onboarding deserves to be treated as a strategic investment rather than an afterthought. That week of focused onboarding pays dividends for years, while the chaotic approach can cost you a great hire in just months.