How to be Accountings Favorite Employee - Your Career Intel

How to be Accountings Favorite Employee - Your Career IntelFor busy professionals, accounting can often be an afterthought. However, the accounting team at your company certainly doesnt landsee it that way. And senior executives also recognize that great accounting is vital to making strategic business decisions.As a treasury management professional, I often see how the differing perspectives of the accounting department and employees can lead to major internal friction. But interacting with your accounting department doesnt have to be a chore. With a few simple, proactive steps, you can make the process pleasant and easy for all parties and quickly become accountings favorite employee.Keep detailed expense recordsLets face it no one in accounting wants to play detective with your expenses or spend weeks tracking down a missing receipt. Submit supporting documents for all filed expenses, including canceled checks, cash register tapes, account statements, credit card sales slips, invo ices, and petty cash slips for small cash payments. Great expense records make it quick and easy for accounting to spot the relevant business need for each expense. Clear documentation saves everyone time and effort.Submit billable hours on timeTracking and filing expenses and billable hours can be time consuming, and I know that its hardly any employees favorite activity. The longer you put this process off, however, the more painful it gets. Worse, without this information, accounting cant bill clients on time, which delays payments and messes with your companys bottom line. Schedule 15 minutes in your calendar each week to ensure all your expenses and billable hours are up-to-date.Triple check client payment informationCorrecting errors in client payment information is a time-consuming, administrative headache. Avoid mistakes by proofreading client payment instructions? Do the invoices accurately reflect the services you provided?? Are the billable hours correct?? Is the client a ddress for the invoice up to date?? Are payment instructions clear?? Is a purchase order number required, and if so has it been entered?Taking five minutes to carefully check documentation up front can save hours later on.Stay on top of past due accountsKeep track of which clients are past due on payments. Systematically follow up with these clients, if thats your responsibility. Otherwise, make sure the accounts receivable department has all of the information they need to do their job. Keep a log recording all of your payment-related interactions, including when you brde spoke with the client, their response, and any next steps. Careful tracking of client interactions helps to make sure no one is duplicating work and collections are being made efficiently.Do you have any tips for working better with accounting or methods that have worked for you in the past? I invite you to share more about your approach below in the comments.

15 Habits Every Woman Can Copy From Women in Leadership

15 Habits Every Woman Can Copy From Women in Leadership Women in leadership are role models for other women, especially for those seeking to advance themselves as well. The role modeling effect is an important one because we seek to understand how we can be like the leaders within our society, particularly to compete in a male-dominated workspace.Gender has long proved to be a challenge for women who continue to seek leadership roles, even if they possess the leadership skills necessary for success. As we know, men have dominated leadership roles, only making it more difficult for women to advance. So, what are some habits that women can copy from other women leaders?Lets discuss some of behauptung leader-like habits and how they can benefit women, their rolesand their careers.1. Wake up EarlyIt isnt a secret that when early risers take time for themselves in the morning, they are more relaxed and grounded as they begin their day. This does require getting plenty of sleep. It is impo rtant to remember as a woman in leadership or seeking to attain a leadership role that you should be grounded in your efforts, which requires clarity and focus- both of which come from getting plenty of rest.2. Eat BreakfastThis might sound relatively simple, but this habit truly can make or break your day. Food provides the fuel we need to be clear on our decisions and maintain strong willpower throughout the day. This habit may not specifically have anything to do with gender, however, it will give us the drive we need to continue towards attaining leadership roles and becoming a strong female in business. 3. ExerciseOur bodies crave movement, yet we spend so much time sitting throughout our day. Get in the habit of exercising in the morning, during lunch, or after work. The best way to make it excuse-free is to schedule it in your planner. This is an excellent habit to copy because it will provide you with the opportunity to be at your peak performance. You can even work out whil e youre working.4. Practice Gratitude RegularlyBy doing so, you can move your vibrational energy into positivity rather than sitting in negativity. Appreciate what has gone well, what youve learned, and how you can continue your path towards greatness each day. Be sure to recognize the things that have gone well or helped you in your career or roles as a female in business.5. Focus on Your PrioritiesWhen starting your day, it is important to have a clear sense of what you must get done that day. This starts with knowing your goals and maintaining a clear sense of the daily work. What works best is using a project management system like Asana or Trello to maintain a direction of your workload and projects. Leaders value their time, so this habit is important to maintain a schedule and standards for what fits into it.6. Get Outside of Your Comfort Zone RegularlyLeadership is not about living inside of your comfort zone. One of the fruchtwein challenging aspects of seeking a leadership position in your career is learning to do this. So, how can you do it? Well, that doesnt necessarily look the same for everyone either. What makes you uncomfortable? Speaking up in meetings? Seeking feedback? Be honest with yourself and what you need to maintain an edge in your leadership role and do it. This tends to differ between genders because men typically get out of their comfort zones much more easily and readily. Here are nine hacks to help you get out of your comfort zone.7. Stop Comparing YourselfYou absolutely cannot build your brand or your career when youre paying attention to someone elses. No two careers are meant to look the same anyway, so why would you want to do this? You need to find your unique path and follow it. Own it and rock it8. Write Down Your Goals and Visualize Them Coming TrueThis is one habit that is worth copying from other women in leadership because once you put your goals on paper and begin to fully visualize them then you are more likely to wor k harder to make them happen. Also, it is worth sharing them with some friends because you will stick with making them happen.9. Make Time for Self-CareThis is especially important because as you continue to challenge yourself in your career, it can take a mental toll. Be sure to make time to rest, meditate, clear your mind, and take care of yourself. Meditation has been shown to increase your focus and overall wellbeing. This is key to leadership roles because they are challenging and require balance and a strong mental focus. Here are some affordable self-care activities.10. Track Your Progress through JournalingJournaling is one of the best ways to reflect on your day, your progress, why something may have happened- or didnt happen, and how you can learn from it. You can also begin to see a clear pattern of strengths and weaknesses, which will also help you grow your career and your leadership skills.11. Seek CoachingI dont advocate for this habit simply because I am a coach I be lieve that coaching provides the feedback and input that is necessary to grow. Coaches can also help in making sense of the fruchtwein relevant feedback, determining the most effective action steps, successfully implementing a follow-up process, improving effectiveness and communicating any positive changes that have been made throughout the duration of the coaching engagement. Coaching is beneficial and crucial throughout each of our positions, but it has been shown to impact women in leadership the most.12. Note Daily LessonsThis is important because we are oftentimes provided with lessons on a regular basis. However, it what we do with them that is imperative. When we notice them, we learn from them. It is when we do not notice them that we may get them with more potency. This can be done through your journaling so that you can assess your lessons from the previous day and what you learned from them.13. Count Your SuccessesWe are programmed to take note of whats wrong, lack, and scarcity, but never abundance. Living in abundance is directly linked to living in gratitude. Be grateful for your successes, pump up your positivity, write down in your journal what went right, begin to celebrate your small and large successes for yourself and your team, and you will see a difference in your thinking and in your career.14. Have Fun with Your TeamDont forget that your team takes its cues from you. So, if you tend to take yourself too seriously and forget to laugh then they will follow suit. Let your team know that youre human and make fun part of the culture. Have lunch catered to celebrate a team victory and have cake and ice cream for birthdays. As a leader, determine what works for your culture and commit to providing that through fun, memorable, and enjoyable moments in the workplace.15. Show AppreciationEveryone wants to know that they are appreciated and recognized for who they are and the good work that they do. Fight the temptation to focus on what isnt work ing and keep your focus on what is working. If you focus on what isnt working, then you will be in a negative headspace and vibrational energy. Show consistent appreciation to increase the value of the relationships and connect with the heart to earn greater influence to lead.Habits such as these will help women in leadership and those pursuing leadership roles in their career to be prepared for the challenge and in maintaining their drive. They will also help women continue to serve as role models for younger women seeking to overcome any gender barriers and understanding how they too, can become an exceptional female in business.

What Everybody Else Does When It Comes to Resume Writing Lee Hecht Harrison Pdf and What You Should Do Different

What Everybody Else Does When It Comes to Resume Writing windschatten Hecht Harrison Pdf and What You Should Do Different Resume Writing Lee Hecht Harrison Pdf Fundamentals Explained Most resume writers dont have this experience. It doesnt make a difference that you have leid actually had this work title in years past but its important it is a plausible next step in your professional career. If its not your dream job, it can be a short-term place holder until you discover a more suitable career move. Lee Hechts Gagan claims that the notion of the job-search work team is to assist people approach the work search as if they were managing an undertaking. Finding meaning beyond work can help you define yourself beyond your work. Then Lauren replies, please offer your contact info. Dont plan to take your vacation in this time if youre serious about your job search What Is So Fascinating About Resume Writing Lee Hecht Harrison Pdf? 1 misconception that numerous companies have i s that the reservist is going to be ready to come back to work within a couple of days of their return to the United States of america. While many that are looking for work have a tendency to become depressed at this time of the calendar year, they need to instead see the holiday season with a positive attitude for a time ripe with opportunity. Take a minumum of one hour to determine how you are going to achieve them. Going to the office allowed me an opportunity to meet and network with different professionals. The Debate Over Resume Writing Lee Hecht Harrison Pdf Its also unlikely that youll be in a position to depend on a specific timeframe for those reservists return. platzdeckchen and Hold Daily Work Hours If youre unemployed, your occupation is now to find a new job. Your job loss might even hook you up with dormant sections of yourself. During times of stress, its important to keep a precise and constant stream of communication. The Dos and Donts of Resume Writing L ee Hecht Harrison Pdf Discover what people currently in your preferred industry need to say. This infographic consists of all you need to understand about producing an impressive resume. Besides, how many people may actually say their name means something that everybody wants to seek. Apparently whenever your name is Aqueelah, individuals are surprised whenever you have class and intelligence. Your objective is to quantifiably prove that you are able to. It can be challenging, but set a minumum of one goal thats three to five years later on. The target of your resume is to secure you the interview. Let your target stretch you.

The surprising things Americans do when they get home from work

The surprising things Americans do when they get home from workThe surprising things Americans do when they get home from workAmericans are watching TV mora than ever and talking to each other less. It seems were a nation of TV-addicted hermits.The 2016 results of the American Time Use Survey, done by the U.S Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, came out this week. It shows some chilling data about how Americans spend their time at home.The short answer? Americans come home from work to watch TV and avoid human contact.Americas eyes are glued to TV screensWatching TV is Americas favorite leisure activity, according to the Census Bureau data. Sitting in front of a televisions took up 2.7 hours daily, or just over half of the total free time Americans have each day.The survey found that American men spend 5.5 hours watching television programming on an average day- compared to women who spent 4.8 hours doing so.The survey also broke down how long people watched by age, em ployment position and more. Older people took more time out of their day for TV- those 65 and older watched more than four hours daily on average. On the other hand, the 15-44 age group watched the least, about 2 hours daily on average. The unemployed also spentmore time watching daily on average than those with jobs- 3.78 hours- versus 2.10 hours for people with either full-time or part-time jobs.That means that even people with jobs are spending most of their time, on average, watching some kind of television programming.No wonder Netflix and Amazon are doing so well.https//twitter.com/moorehn/status/880156956501176322America is not excited about physical fitnessThe flipside is that 21% of Americans in 2016 exercised after work in 2016, with 22.7% of men and 19.2% of women getting into motion. While thats a big bump from 2003 - when 17% of people reportedly engaged in sports, exercise, or recreation on a regular day - it still means that the vast majority of Americans are not making time for physical fitness each day.To break it down another way if you took any four Americans, only one of them would go to the gym after work.We multitask - a lot - while watching TVThe BLS had an expansive understanding of leisure activities, saying that this category included watching television reading relaxing or thinking playing computer, board, or card games using a computer or the Internet for personal interest playing or listening to music and other activities, such as attending arts, cultural, and entertainment events.The fact that catching up on TV is a classic American pastime is no secret- but neither is the concept that we tend to do a bunch of other tasks while viewing.A separate study, the 10th edition of Deloittes digital democracy survey,found that 92% of people are multitasking while the TV is on. People between the ages of 14 years old and 32 years old do an average of four extra things while theyre watching TV. People ages 33-49 do three extra things on average at that time, while those who are 50-68 and 69+ doone extra thing on average.Translation even though were in front of the TV, were not really engaged with it.Heres how much we like to be active and be with othersEmployed adults who had no kids under 18 in their houses were far more active than working parents. The employed adults with no young kids did leisure and sports activities for 4.5 hours daily, according to the BLS. This is 1.2 hours more than adults with jobs who also had kids younger than age six at home.Caveat That 4.5 hours included watching sports as well as playing them. It also included recreational activities such as yard games like croquet or horseshoes, as well as activities like billiards and dancing.What most Americans arent doing is talking to other people. The socializing and communicating category includedtalking in person, or going to or leadingevents, and tookup an average of a paltry 39 minutes per day. On weekends, this number was 59 minutes- compared to 31 minutes on weekdays.Watching TV with no human interaction is probably not the America we want to be. When your other responsibilities outside of work are taken care of, instead switch gears and use your free time to relax, reflect and reconnect with others so you can return to work recharged.

Signs That Your Job Interview Went Well

Signs That Your Job vorstellungsgesprch Went WellSigns That Your Job Interview Went WellHow do you know if a job bewerbungsinterview went well? Whats the best way to tell if you have a good chance of being invited to a second interview, or better yet, an offer of employment? Sometimes, its a gut feeling. Other times, its not so clear. However, there are signs to look for that will help you determine if your interview was successful. There are many variables, so it is important to consider more than one thing to get a complete and accurate impression of your experience.For example, if you are interviewing for a large, corporation, the level of personal engagement you experience during theinterview processmay be significantly less than if you were applying with a start-up company, but that doesnt mean those dry interactions imply you wont get the job. If your interviewer herself isnt a warm and fuzzy person, her mannerisms may not reflect your likelihood of getting the job- and same go es if she is an especially nice person.Make sure you consider the big picture rather than reading too much into the little details. Remember, trust your gut, but be fair to (and aware of) yourself. If youre the type who constantly doubts yourself, and you think youblew the interview, your judgment may not be accurate. Try to be as objective as possible when considering your interview performance. Review the experience without engaging in too much emotion.If the interview didnt go well, it could be a sign that this isnt the right job for you. Then, review these signs that will indicate if you did a good job on the interview. If you didnt do as well as you expected, consider it a learning experience and practice for the next time around. 01Youre Asked About Your Interest in the JobDid the interview ask you what you thought about the job and the company? Its a good sign if your interviewer asks you questions about your interest in the job orwhere else you are interviewing. If she or he wasnt interested in hiring you, your desire for the job- or interest in other companies- wouldnt matter. Inquiries about your interest suggest the interviewer is considering whether or not youwould accept a job offer.02Getting Specific About the Job ResponsibilitiesDid your interviewer dive into the specifics of the job and the daily responsibilities of the individual in that role? For an interviewer to take the time to get into the nitty-gritty can mean he or she felt confident enough about your capabilities to take the conversation to that level.Bonus points if the interviewer referred to you in the role for example You would be reporting to Martha, the digital marketing manager, each day. If the hiring manager is talking this way, it means he or she can foresee you in the role.03Your Interviewer Gives Positive AffirmationIf the interviewer provides positive feedback during the interview, youre on the right track. This can be an obvious but tell-tale sign of a successful intervie w. Listen to how your interviewer responds when you answer questions.Positive responses like, Thats exactly right, Great answer, or Yes, thats just what were looking for are key indications that an interviewer likes you and will give your application further consideration.04You Get an Invitation for a Second InterviewWith this one, its easy to tell if the interview was a success. Getting asked to come in for a second interview is the best sign that your first one went well Remember, though, dont let the nachrichtensendung get to your head, as there is a good chance other candidates are also coming in for round two.Embrace your confidence, but definitely dont dismiss the need to prepare for a second interview just because you think you have the job in the bag.05Your Interviewer Sells You the JobIf the interviewer spends some time promoting the highlights of the position, the company culture, and why he or she loves working there, this is a good sign. Your interviewer probably wouldnt try to sell you the job if he or she had zero intentions of considering you for the position.Another good sign is when an interviewer asks when you could start work if you were hired. Wanting to get an idea about when you can start is a good indicator that youre in contention for the job.06The Interview Runs Longer Than 30 MinutesDid the interviewer spend time asking quality questions, listening to your answers, and discussing the details of position with you? If you felt like you came away with a thorough idea of the position and your interview lasted for 30 minutes or more, consider it a good possibility that the interviewer was interested in hiring you.However, in a case where there are multiple interviewers, however, one of them may feel the need to ask questions just to ask them in order to make it seem like theyre doing their job. So, bonus points if its just you and a single interviewer and the discussion still carried on for a significant amount of time.07Exchange of Contac t InformationIt is excellent news if your interviewer gives you a business card, or some direct line to reach him or her, like an email or even a cell phone number. Even better if he or she encourages you to reach out anytime if you have questions or concerns08Youre Introduced to StaffConsider it positive news if your interviewer toured you around the office and introduced you to staff. Its even better if he or she brought other staff members in during your interview for personal introductions and work-related discussions.09The Interviewer Responds to Your Follow-upOnce youve sent your thank you note expressing your gratitude for the interview opportunity, gauge how long it takes your interviewer or human resources contact to respond. A prompt response can be good news, but also keep an eye out for the tone of the message.A message like, Thank you for coming in to meet with us We very much appreciate it and look forward to following up with you later this week. Have a great day bode s much better than something short and dry like, You are welcome, and thank you. Speak soon.10Salary Comes UpMost interviewers wont get into the (sometimes awkward) discussion of money unless theyre serious about hiring you. Interview questions about your current salary, past salary, and what salary you are expecting to receive can be good signs that they are seriously considering you for the job.If none of these things happen, remember that it might not because of anything you did or didnt say. There are many reasons candidates dont get invited for second interviews, and some of them have nothing to do with the applicant.

How to Send a Thank You Card After a Job Interview

How to Send a Thank You Card After a Job InterviewHow to Send a Thank You Card After a Job InterviewOne of the biggest turnoffs for any recruiter is to get the distinct impression that this is just another name on a long list. Sure, recruiters understand that you are likely interviewing with several companies, and that their interview may have come after a long line of failed attempts. However, if you do not even have the respect and consideration to put forth your all for the interview, how well will you actually perform if you are hired?An extremely effective way to make sure this thought never crosses your interviewers mind is sending a thank you card. While most people think that sending cards is archaic, this little consideration will show that you are likely to go the extra mile if you are hired. Who knows, it could actually come down as the deciding factor between you and another potential candidate.When To SendThe timing of your thank you letter can be just as important as se nding one in the first place. If the position is one that needs to be filled pronto, sending it too late can render it completely useless. The best rule of thumb is to send it out the day you have the interview. If you know the position is likely to be filled even before that, however, it is wise to send your thanks in an emaille.If you have absolutely no clue when the position is likely to be filled, it is better to err on the side of caution. Send out the thank you email as soon as you get home, and then drop a handwritten note in the mail soon after. The latter is always more appreciated, so get that in there if at all possible. Who to ThankIf you only had one interview, or the same interviewer over a couple meetings, the answer to this is pretty obvious. However, meeting with more than one person, or a board of executives, is something that happens frequently, especially with more important positions.In cases like this, you want to make sure everyone you met with knows how much you appreciate their taking the time to interview you. This can either be done in a separate letter to each individual, or a master letter that mentions each participant individually.The display of thanks should actually go beyond the person or persons that actually interviewed you for the job. Other people, such as staffing agency employees, or people that got you that first introduction, deserve recognition too. Sending them a brief note can drastically boost their opinion of you, and give them that warm feeling that comes from being appreciated.Beyond GratitudeThe thank you letter can have beneficial uses above and beyond simply thanking them for their time. If there is an important point in your favor you forgot to mention in the interview, throw in there. As long as it is worked in naturally and smoothly, it should be well received. It is also a good time to remind them how excited you are to be considered for a position you love, with a company you admire.Things To AvoidWhile sending the proper thank you letter is worth well over its weight in gold, sending a shoddy one can actually work against you. Your method of sending is one way you can stumble, always use either email or postal mail. Never make a phone call, recruiters likely have a more hectic schedule than you do, and will see it as a waste of time. In addition, while texting is becoming a much more frequent form of communication, it is still viewed negatively when responding to an interview.What you include, and how you word it, is also important. Keep things simple and sincere, without unnecessary embellishments. Check, then re-check, for spelling or grammar errors. If needed, have someone proofread it for you. Few things turn a recruiter off more quickly than any type of communication rife with typos and mistakes.Updated July 13, 2017

How to Provide Effective New Employee Orientation

How to Provide Effective New Employee OrientationHow to Provide Effective New Employee OrientationOrienting employees to their workplaces and their jobs is one of the most neglected functions in many organizations. An employee handbook and piles of paperwork are notlage sufficient anymore when it comes to welcoming a new employee to your organization. The most frequent complaints about new employee orientation are that it is overwhelming, boring, or that the new employee is left to sink or swim. Employees feel as if the organization dumped too much information on them which they were supposed to understand and implement in much too short of a time period. The result is often a confused new employee who is not as productive as he could be. He is also more likely to leave the organization within a year. It is costly to both the employer and the employee. Multiply this by the number of employees that you hire each year, and the cost of turnover becomes significant. With an ongoing labor crunch, developing an effective employee orientation experience continues to be crucial. It is critical that new hire programs are carefully planned to educate the employee about the organizationsvaluesand history and about who is who in the organization. A well thought out orientation program, whether it lasts one day or six months, will help not only in the retention of employeesbut also in the increases in employee productivity. Organizations that have good orientation programs get new people up to speed faster, have better alignment between what the employees do and what the organization needs them to do, and have lower turnover rates. Purposes of Orientation Employers have to realize that orientation isnt just a nice gesture put on by the organization. It serves as an important element of the new employee welcome and organization integration. To Reduce Startup CostsProper orientation can help the employee get up to speed much more quickly, thereby reducing the costs associ ated with learning the job. To Reduce AnxietyAny employee, when put into a new, strange situation, will experience anxiety that can impede his or her ability to learn to do the job. Proper orientation helps to reduce anxiety that results from entering into an unknown situationand helps provide guidelines for behavior and conduct, so the employee doesnt have to experience the stress of guessing. To Reduce Employee TurnoverEmployee turnover increases as employees feel they are not valuedor are put in positions where they cant possibly do their jobs. Orientation shows that the organization values the employee, and helps provide the tools necessary for succeeding in the job. To Save Time for the SupervisorSimply put, the better the anfangsbuchstabe orientation, the less likely that teamberaters and coworkers will have to spend time teaching the employee. You can effectively and efficiently cover all of the things about the company, the departments, the work environment, and the culture during orientation. The manager and coworkers will then need only to reinforce these concepts. To Develop Realistic Job Expectations, Positive Attitudes, and Job SatisfactionIt is important that employees learn as soon as possible what is expected of them, and what to expect from others, in addition to learning about the values and attitudes of the organization.While people can learn from experience, they will make many mistakes that are unnecessary and potentially damaging. The main reasons orientation programs fail The program was not planned the employee was unaware of the job requirements the employee does not feel welcome. Employee orientation is important- orientation provides a lot of benefits, and you can use feedback from participating employees to make your orientations even better. All new employees should complete anew employee orientation programthat is designed to assist them in adjusting to their jobs and work environment and to instill a positive work attitude and mo tivation at the onset. A thoughtful new employee orientation program can reduce turnover and save an organization thousands of dollars. One reason people change jobs is that they never feel welcome or part of the organization they join. What Do You Need to Include in the Process? The most important principle to convey during orientation is your commitment to continuous improvementand continual learning. That way, new employees become comfortable with asking questions to obtain the information that they need to learn, problem solve and make decisions. A well-thought-out orientation process takes energy, time and commitment. However, it usually pays off for the individual employee, the department, and the organization. One such example is Mecklenburg Countys (North Carolina) success in revamping itsemployee orientation program. The employer wanted to live up to its kredo ofemployees being the organizations greatest resource. In 1996, as part of a larger initiative to redesign serv ices to meet customer needs, the Mecklenburg County Human Resources Department staff made a smart decision. They viewed new employees as part of their customer base and asked their customers what they wanted. Employees were asked what theywanted and needed from orientation. They were also asked what they liked and didnt like about orientation. New employees were asked what they wanted to know about the organization. Additionally, the organizations senior managers were asked what they believed was important for employees to learn when joining the county payroll. Using feedback collected from employees, Mecklenburgs HR training staff first realized that meeting employees needs required more than a half day training session. Trusting employee feedback,the trainers crafted a one-day orientation that gave employees what they said they wanted and what senior management believed employees needed to know. Essentially, the orientation mix now includes the less exciting topics such as W-2s an d various policies and procedures, but it also includes details that let the employee know something about the organization. Need more on how to plan an employee orientation thats beneficial and fun? Key Planning Questions Human Resource professionals and line managers first need to consider key new employee orientation planning questions before implementing or revamping a current program. These are the key questions to ask. What things do new employees need to know about this work environment that would make them more comfortable?What impression and impact do you want to have on a new employees first day?What key policies and procedures must employees be aware of on the first day to avoid mistakes on the second day? Concentrate on vital issues.What special things (desk, work area, equipment, special instructions) can you provide to make new employees feel comfortable, welcome and secure?What positive experience can you provide for the new employee that she could discuss with he r family at the end of the first day of work? The experience should be something to make the new employee feel valued by the organization. How can you help the new employees supervisor be available to the new employee on the first day to provide personal attention and to convey a clear message that the new employee is an important addition to the work team? How to Put Your Best Foot Forward for a New Employee Since first impressions are crucial, here are some tips for putting your best foot forward.Have some fun. Concentrate only on the very important topics of the handbook. Play some games- this can help people learn.Games include Photo Matchafter the tour. Each employee is provided photos of other employees and a list of names. The object is to match the name with the face. Signature HuntWhile employees are touring the facility, provide them with a piece of paper with the names of several associates they will be meeting. They are then asked to obtain the signatures of the peop le they meet. The employee who obtains the most signatures from a variety of new coworkers gets a prize. Other games that pertain to what the employee learned during orientation are also effective assurances that orientation is successful. Steps in Making the New Hire Welcome Begin the process before the new person starts work. Send anagendato the new associate with the offer letter so that the employee knows what to expect. Stay in touch after he or she has accepted the position to answer questions. Make aya the new persons work area is ready for the first day of work.Make sure that key coworkers know the employee is starting and encourage them to come to say hello before orientation begins. Anew employee welcome letter with an agendaallows coworkers to stay in touch with the new employee and her schedule. Assign a mentoror buddy, to show the new person around, make introductions, and start training. Let the mentor have sufficient notice so that they can make preparations. Them entoring relationship should continuefor 90 days and may continue much longer if the pair makes a great connection. Many relationships go on for years and may eventurn into a sponsorship.Start with the basics. People become productive sooner if they are firmly grounded in the basic knowledge they need to understand their job. Focus on the why, when, where, and how of the position before expecting them to handle assignments or big projects. Dont overwhelm them with too much information. Provide samples about how to complete forms and the persons job description with the orientation packet.Have some fun. Concentrate only on the very important topics of the handbook. Play some games- this can help people learn.Provide a list of FAQs with a contact person, and phone number or extension.Plan to take the new employee to lunch, or ask others to join the new employee in the lunchroom or in a conference room with other members of the department. The first day on the job is not the day to lea ve the new employee alone during lunch. This is a good time for the supervisor to take the employee to lunch, include other coworkers, and make sure the employee is at ease. Its also an excellent environment in which employees can get to know each other and the new coworker.Keep the new persons family in mind. A new job means anadjustment for the entire family, especially if they have relocated. Do what you can to ease the transition and help them feel comfortable in the community.Ask for feedback. Find out from former new hires how they perceived the orientation process, and dont be afraid to make changes based on those recommendations. You can send an evaluation two to four weeks after the employee has started, and ask Now that you have been with the company awhile did the new employee orientation meet your needs?After the employee has worked for you for a while, and he finds out what he should have learned but did not at the orientation. At Mecklenburg County, after their redesig n process, one of the trainers, Allyson Birbigliasaid, We recognize that we have to continuously improve orientation to meet the changing needs of our customers. What works now may not serve our employees well next month or next year. An effective orientation program- or the lack of one- will make a significant difference in how quickly a new employee becomes productive and has other long-term impacts on your organization. The end of the first day, the end of the first week, the end of each day in your employment, is just as important as the beginning. Help your employees feel that you want them to come back the next day, and the next, and the next. Dr. Judith Brown is a Program Manager for Policy and Performance Management at Naval Intelligence.