Red Flags to Watch Out for When Onboarding a New Company

• Lack of Clear Communication during Onboarding
• Unclear Job Responsibilities at Your New Company
• Negative Company Work Culture
• Lack of Resources for Your New Job
• Inadequate Onboarding Process

Your onboarding process should be smooth and hassle-free. One of the most critical aspects to accomplish this is clear communication. If the company fails to communicate  effectively, you will feel confused and misunderstood.

A lack of clear communication is a red flag during onboarding. If you don’t know where to be, how to connect with others and set up your equipment something might be off.

How to spot this red flag:

Pay attention to the company’s communication style during the onboarding process. 

If you notice that they are not providing clear instructions, are vague in their responses, or do not respond to your inquiries promptly, it may be a sign that the company has communication issues and you want to reconsider joining.

Another red flag is the lack of clarity regarding your job responsibilities. Ideally, you should get an indication in your first weeks of your responsibilities and deliverables in the next 30-60-90 days. 

If the company does not provide a clear job description or outline of responsibilities, it can be a sign of disorganization. It can also lead to confusion and frustration down the line as you will not be able to meet expectations if they have never been defined.

How to spot it this red flag:

Look for a clear job description and outline of responsibilities during the onboarding process. If the company cannot provide a clear picture of what the job entails or what your responsibilities are, it may be a sign of disorganization.

No one wants to join a toxic organization or  a company with a negative work culture. If the company does not foster a positive work environment, it can lead to high turnover rates and unhappy employees (and you might be one of them!).

Signs of a negative work culture can include employees who seem unhappy, a lack of collaboration among teams, people talking behind each other’s backs, or a lack of support from management. 

A negative work culture is one of the mean reasons people leave their company. 

How to spot this red flag: 

Pay attention to the company culture during the onboarding process. 

Observe how employees interact with one another, and ask questions about the company’s culture. If you notice a negative vibe or a lack of teamwork, it may be a sign that the company has a negative work culture.

If your new company does not provide adequate resources in order for you to perform your job, you will struggle. Employees who do not have the necessary tools or training to do their job will not perform at their full potential. 

This will lead to frustration and lack of productivity. Keep in mind though, that this highly depends on the size of the organization you are joining. If resources and hand holding are important for you, it might be better to join a larger organization than a startup.

Preppally’s self-test will help you decide which company size is best for you. 

How to spot this red flag: 

Look for evidence of resources during the onboarding process. Does the company provide adequate training? Are there tools available for employees to complete their work? 

If you notice a lack of resources, it may be a sign that the company does not invest in its employees.

Finally, an inadequate onboarding process can be a significant red flag. The onboarding process should be thorough and provide employees with all the information they need to succeed. 

Typical elements in an adequate onboarding process will be a roadmap, timing, learning material, contact information and milestones. If your onboarding is a glorified version of ‘just figure it out yourself’ – it might mean the company lacks processes and systems. 

How to spot it this red flag:

Look for evidence of an onboarding process during the onboarding process. Is there a clear schedule or plan in place? Are there people available to have a conversation with you? Do you know what to do when you wake up in the morning?

If not, their processes might be broken in multiple departments.

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