D'oh the Simpson guide to your first day

So you spend a fortune on advertising, management time on recruiting, and then you lose the plot on their first day....

Today a friend of mine started at a new company, he was delighted the interview process had ignited his passion. He turned up and guess what.....his new manager had forgotten he was starting today. He was asked to wait in reception, and to occupy himself for the next 2 hours 10 minutes (!) he watched and suddenly felt like Bart Simpson, here's why

• D'oh if I am valued why did you forget about me?
• D'oh I have just read the beautiful values in the gorgeous frame...respect, valuing people, inspiring...mmmm not how I feel.
• D'oh I remember him saying that every person in this organisation is valued, so why do people not even acknowledge the receptionist as they pass her, despite her direct smile at them.
• D'oh if this is a great place to work why have I witnessed 2 separate gossiping sessions about everything that is wrong with the company in the reception area.
• D'oh if I was a customer would you leave me without even the offer of a coffee for over 2 hours.
• The list went on....

Then the manager arrived

• D'oh if you are the person who interviewed me, why not apologize?
• D'oh if you value talent and want to attract the best, why are you saying "Go home and come back tomorrow, you may be able to find some time tomorrow"

This is a true story would you believe and a company that has a strong reputation as an employer! My mate is now disengaged, wondering whether he has made the biggest mistake of his career and already mentally leaving the company.

This may be an extreme case, but first impressions count SO MUCH. I would always treat new talent as I would a customer. I wanted the first impression to be impressive...igniting their soul, and ensuring that they believed that they had almost fallen in love again, only this time with a company.

Building loyalty starts from the day that the person is interested in joining the company and will last as long as you deliver on your promises.

Will he stay with this new employer even if tomorrow is better- I doubt it, because now the company has to prove to him that they do live the values....and I don't believe they even realise it! Sad.

Comments

[Richard Millington]

Absolutely awful that they would treat a new member of staff like this on their first day.

If i'm to start a new job mind, I usually drop an e-mail to the representative along the lines of: "looking forward to starting on Monday, just have a few quick questions i'm hoping you can help with.."

And then ask some basic information, such as dress code or any financial details I need to supply.

[Robyn McMaster]

You're story shows why a talented young person might look elsewhere for a company that does just the opposite. I like the way you presented this picture. Fine blog!

[Robyn McMaster]

I enjoyed the picture you painted here. Not sure the other comment will post since I did not note the error in my account info.

[Anna Farmery]

I am waiting to hear what has happened today...the best part is that he was HEADHUNTED!

What I wondered is that ok this is extreme...but how many of these things happen to a latter extent?
A slight lateness?
A slight rudeness?
A slight mix up on the 1st day schedule?

A slight in this case = a slight against the new recruit.

Thanks for your comments. We will make a difference!

[Kent Blumberg]

A subject after my own heart. For some of my ideas on how to help a new employee come on board smoothly, see:

http://kentblumberg.typepad.com/kent_blumberg/2007/01/helping_new_lea.html

Kent