3.
Orientation for New Employees— Sending the Right Message

What is the right “welcome” message to send to newly hired Gen-Xers?

Let’s say you have recruited the right people and are now ready to conduct an orientation program with them. What approach should you take? In general, the answer is the realistic approach. It is no longer credible to say “welcome to the family” as if new employees can expect to be part of the company for the rest of their lives. Remember that most of your new hires know that the only kind of career security they are ever going to achieve is the kind they create from within themselves.

That is why Xers think of themselves as sole proprietors, no matter where they work. Xers look at every job as an opportunity to trade their skills, creativity, and hard work for some measurable increase in their self-based career security. Xers think in terms of a new implicit workplace bargain based on daily win-win exchanges. They wish to add value for employers who are willing to reward them daily with Self Building incentives (relationships, learning opportunities, and creative challenges).

1. Welcome to the family.

2. Pay your dues and you will climb the ladder.

3. There are people with whom you are supposed to interact, and people with whom you are not supposed to interact.

4. We will define your training agenda and we will train you.

5. There is a long line of people who would love to have this job, so it would be easy to replace you.

1. We hope to have a win-win relationship, regardless of the length of your stay here.

2. We want you to pursue our corporate goals in a way that helps you pursue your own goals.

3. Many of the relationships you build with individuals here are likely to outlive your tenure with this company.

4. Pursue as much knowledge and as many skills as you possibly can while you are here … and we will do our best to make learning resources available to you.

5. We value your hard work as an individual, as well as your creativity and innovation.