Marketing Director
While hiring the right talent is essential, the true potential of your new marketing hire can only be unlocked through effective onboarding.
Our recommended approach to onboarding looks at 3 stages:
- Pre-arrival
- Onboarding period
- Ongoing support
If you are looking to hire for your marketing team, reach out to us as a specialist marketing recruitment agency.
Pre-arrival of new marketing hire
1. Job offer acceptance and preparation
- Confirming acceptance: Effective communication during the hiring process is paramount. Research by Glassdoor reveals that 84% of job seekers value clear communication from employers. Provide candidates with detailed job offer letters, including specific responsibilities and expectations.
- Setting expectations: Define the role meticulously. Share the marketing plan and explain how the new marketing hire contributes to the company’s overall marketing objectives, emphasising the impact they can make from day one.
2. Marketing tools prepared
- Necessary tools and software: Ensure your new marketing hire has access to essential marketing tools, such as CRM software and analytics platforms, on day one. Equip them with the necessary hardware and software licenses to maximise productivity.
- Marketing-specific platforms: Familiarise new hires with specialised marketing software and platforms, such as marketing automation tools, content management systems, and competitive analysis software.
3. Building team connections
- Introduction to the marketing team: According to a survey by Deloitte, companies that prioritise a sense of belonging in their onboarding process see a 22% increase in new hire retention. Facilitate introductions to the marketing team to foster an inclusive environment.
- Networking opportunities: Encourage participation in marketing team events and meetings before their official start date. Help them establish early connections with colleagues, promoting a collaborative atmosphere.
4. Pre-reading marketing materials
- Company marketing history: Offer your new marketing hire insights into your company’s marketing journey, showcasing past strategies, successes, and challenges. Share marketing campaign reports and their results, providing context for their role.
- Market research and competitive analysis: Arm your marketing hires with comprehensive market research and competitor analysis reports. Help them understand the industry landscape and the competitive forces at play.
Onboarding of new marketing hire
This relates to the period where the new marketing hire has started at the organisation. A good onboarding plan should last up to 3 months.
5. Company culture and marketing alignment
- Explaining company culture: According to a study by LinkedIn, 70% of professionals say they would not work at a leading company with a poor culture. Clearly articulate how marketing aligns with your company’s mission, vision, and values.
- Upholding values: Emphasise the role of marketing in upholding and promoting your brand’s values, fostering a sense of purpose and commitment among your marketing team.
6. Role-specific marketing training
- In-depth marketing training: Marketing roles are ever-evolving. Offer your new marketing hire continuous training in areas such as digital marketing, AI and ML, content strategy, and social media marketing, tailored to their specific role and responsibilities.
- KPIs and campaign goals: Make KPIs and campaign objectives crystal clear, ensuring that your marketing professionals have a solid understanding of what success looks like in their role.
7. Introduction to marketing tools and systems
- Hands-on training: Provide hands-on training sessions with marketing tools and systems. Allow new hires to practice with marketing automation software, analytics platforms, and content management systems.
- Efficiency matters: Stress the importance of efficiency. Share statistics indicating that companies with efficient marketing processes are 1.5 times more likely to see strong revenue growth.
8. Key stakeholder meetings
- Cross-functional teams: Foster cross-functional collaboration by facilitating meetings between marketing and other departments, such as sales, design, and IT. Highlight the interconnectedness of marketing within the company.
- Communication channels: Establish clear communication channels between marketing and other departments to ensure smooth collaboration. Stress the impact of effective communication on project success.
9. Mentorship and guided growth
- Assigning mentors: According to the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), employees who receive mentorship are promoted five times more often than those who do not. Assign experienced marketing professionals as mentors to provide guidance and support.
- Regular feedback sessions: Conduct regular feedback sessions to identify areas for improvement and provide tailored guidance for career development. Encourage open communication and a growth mindset.
Ongoing support for new marketing hire: 3-6 months plus
10. Feedback and continuous improvement
- Soliciting feedback: According to Gallup, employees whose opinions are valued are more likely to be engaged and productive. Continuously gather feedback from marketing team members, making them active participants in shaping the onboarding process.
- Refining the process: Act on the feedback received, making data-driven improvements to the onboarding process. Emphasise that a dynamic onboarding process evolves to meet the changing needs of your marketing team.
11. Advanced marketing training and specialisation
- Identifying areas for specialisation: Encourage marketing team members to identify areas for improvement that will help achieve business objectives, such as SEO, content marketing, or social media advertising. Invest in advanced training and certification opportunities to nurture expertise.
- Ongoing education: Highlight the benefits of ongoing education. Share data that reveals companies with comprehensive training programs have 218% higher income per employee than those without.
12. Career path and aligning marketing goals
- Discuss long-term goals: Foster discussions with marketing professionals about their long-term career aspirations within the marketing department.
- Alignment with company goals: Ensure their career path aligns with the company’s marketing objectives and strategies, explaining how their growth contributes to the overall marketing success.
13. Team collaboration
- Foster collaboration: Encourage active participation in marketing team brainstorming sessions and project collaborations. Stress the impact of teamwork on creativity and overall job satisfaction.
- Strengthen relationships: Organise team-building activities or events to strengthen relationships among marketing colleagues, enhancing teamwork, creativity, and job satisfaction.
Onboarding new marketing hires: conclusion
A strategic and planned approach to onboarding will help unlock the potential of your marketing team quickly, whilst also creating an environment where your marketing professionals thrive, drive results, and contribute significantly to your company’s growth and market presence.
Need help with hiring for your marketing team? Tell us about your marketing vacancy today by contacting us.
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