New hires at NVIDIA, a multinational technology company based in Santa Clara, California, complete their paperwork before starting on their first day so orientation can home in more on the firm’s values. Each new recruit is given a welcome note by their supervisor and are provided with a so-called new hire ambassador to answer any questions.
At International Rescue Committee, new hires are given a so-called “lateral buddy,” someone who works outside the new hire’s department and who can help them learn about their new employer.
“If we know about other coworkers who share common interests, then we're able to introduce them to other people who have common interests, and who they may form a stronger bond with more quickly because of those commonalities,” says Felicia Joy, adjunct assistant professor of strategy at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. “It also allows us to help them with resources that they might not know about that will be helpful for them.”