Interviewing? Ask for Onboarding

Are you one of the many job-seekers out there interviewing for those precious-few positions? Do you want to stand out from the crowd of candidates vying for the same position?

Try this. Next time you are blessed with an interview, (yes, blessed, even interviews are hard to come by these days) ask about the organization's onboarding program. Is there one and what's it like?

This will not only suggest that you are well-informed on the latest talent management practices, but it will also tell you a lot about your prospective employer.

From this one question you will learn--

-how well do they value their new hires?
-how much do the invest in the development of their people?
-is there culture supportive and open?
-do they plan to contribute resources to your success?

This information can be extremely helpful in making your decision whether or not this organization is a match for your values and objectives. It may also provide you some leverage when discussing an offer on the table. You will have a chance to ask for support and resources that may have been missing.

Onboarding may not be an intergrated part of every organization's talent management but every new hire deserves support from the organization to make a smooth transition and to be set up for success.

It's better to know what's in store for you sooner rather than later.