From applicant to employee: developing and evaluating an inclusive hiring and onboarding process

Abstract

As part of an effort to improve employee hiring and onboarding, the authors’ library instituted more robust people-centered hiring, onboarding and evaluation processes which align with the library’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic priority. The goal of this process and evaluation is to ensure new hires feel connected to and ownership of their onboarding through formal and consistent solicitation and incorporation of stakeholder feedback.

The process consists of multiple stages. One, a sixteen-item survey is sent to all applicants afforded interviews, including first round interviews, and second round interviews either virtual via Zoom, or on site. Two, applicants invited for a second-round interview are provided an extensive online guide which lays out details of the library and the wider community. Three, a robust, mindful onboarding schedule is created which spans the first month of the new hire’s employment. Four, user experience activities are conducted with new employees at several points during their first year at the library. These activities gather qualitative feedback to help library human resources determine the effectiveness and receptivity of the onboarding process.

This chapter details the implementation and analysis of these hiring and onboarding processes. It includes results from the surveys, steps that the library has taken to act on that feedback, and a model for how other libraries can do this.