Another year of learning, and the results are clear: employee experience delivers an ROI we simply can’t ignore. And where does that experience truly begin?
Before day one. Before the first email. Before the first team meeting.
The reality is that onboarding sets the stage for how employees connect to your company, their role, and their future growth. It’s more than paperwork or a first-day tour; it’s about building trust, creating momentum, and ensuring every new hire feels valued, prepared, and aligned with your mission.
As the workplace evolves—shifting between hybrid, remote, and global dynamics—onboarding has become a powerful lever for improving employee experience, boosting retention, and driving engagement. In 2025, it’s no longer just about showing new hires the ropes; it’s about setting them up for success in a way that feels meaningful, seamless, and connected.
This guide explores how company leaders can rethink onboarding strategies to match these new demands, from leveraging technology and AI onboarding tools to building personalized onboarding programs that meet employees where they are.
Let’s explore the latest trends, actionable tips, and forward-thinking tools that will help your organization stay ahead while creating the kind of employee experience that attracts and keeps top talent.
Why Onboarding in 2025 Is More Important Than Ever
The start of an employee’s journey with your company is more than just the first impression—it’s the foundation of their entire experience. A poorly executed onboarding process doesn’t just leave new hires feeling lost or frustrated; it can ripple through your organization, leading to higher turnover rates, lost productivity, and missed opportunities to build engagement from day one.
But here’s the flip side: when onboarding is done right, the benefits are undeniable.
Research shows that organizations with effective onboarding see 82% higher retention rates and a 70% boost in productivity.
That’s a powerful return on investment—and one that starts even before a new hire’s first day. (Brandon Hall Group) And yet, there’s a gap…
A significant 64% of employees say they didn’t experience preboarding before starting their new roles. (Enboarder)
Imagine that: candidates excited to join your team but left in limbo until day one, with questions, doubts, or even second thoughts creeping in. Preboarding—those weeks or days leading up to a start date—is a golden opportunity to engage, reassure, and prepare new hires, keeping their enthusiasm high and their confidence intact.
Now layer in the complexities of today’s workplace, where remote and hybrid roles are the new norm. For all its benefits, remote work has made onboarding more challenging than ever.
In fact, 63% of remote employees report feeling undertrained during the onboarding process, leading to feelings of disorientation, confusion, and, sometimes, disengagement. (Deel)
Without face-to-face moments to clarify expectations or create connections, these new hires can quickly feel like outsiders rather than part of the team. The challenge for organizations is clear: how do we close these gaps and meet employees where they are? With preboarding strategies that engage before day one, remote onboarding solutions that create a sense of connection, and experiences designed to build confidence and momentum, companies can set their new hires up for success—and make those crucial first weeks feel seamless, supportive, and human.
Top Trends Shaping Onboarding in 2025
To thrive in the coming year, HR leaders must focus on emerging trends that align with employee expectations and business goals.
1. Personalized Onboarding Programs
Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all onboarding. Employees now expect onboarding experiences tailored to their roles, skills, and career aspirations. By incorporating AI onboarding tools, organizations can customize training content and learning paths for everyone. This not only ensures faster integration but also creates a sense of value and belonging. For example, imagine a marketing professional joining your team. With AI-powered tools, their onboarding program can focus on company branding guidelines, marketing tools, and past campaign performance, ensuring relevance from day one. Amirra’s AI-driven onboarding fosters faster integration, tailored support, and a stronger sense of connection from day one.
2. Remote Onboarding Solutions
As remote and hybrid work becomes the norm, companies must design onboarding processes that work seamlessly across locations. Virtual onboarding platforms, video introductions, and interactive training modules are essential for creating a connected experience. However, onboarding remotely comes with unique challenges:
Building personal connections in a virtual environment.
Ensuring new hires feel included in the company culture.
Maintaining consistent communication and feedback.
Amirra simplifies remote onboarding with features like People Connect for shared interests, Cafe Roulette for virtual coffee chats, and structured Buddy Assignments, which build meaningful connections across geographies.
3. AI Onboarding Tools
Automation and AI are transforming how we onboard new employees. These tools streamline repetitive tasks like document collection, compliance tracking, and task assignments, freeing up HR teams to focus on strategic initiatives. Beyond efficiency, AI onboarding tools can also: Deliver personalized learning experiences. Monitor employee progress and flag areas needing attention. Provide real-time answers to frequently asked questions through chatbots.
Amirra automates administrative onboarding tasks, provides tailored learning recommendations, and uses AI to send automated reminders and nudges for incomplete tasks, freeing HR time while keeping employees on track
4. Focus on DEI from Day One
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are no longer optional; they are essential to fostering an environment where employees thrive. Onboarding is the perfect time to embed DEI into your culture. From inclusive language in materials to ensuring diverse representation in training videos, every detail matters.
Amirra helps organizations prioritize DEI with inclusive onboarding content, representation-focused tools, and resources that foster a sense of belonging from day one.
5. Ongoing Development Beyond Onboarding The best onboarding programs don’t end after the first week—or even the first month. Employees crave continuous learning and development opportunities and extending onboarding into a structured 90-day or even year-long program can significantly boost engagement.
Ongoing onboarding can include:
Regular check-ins with managers to discuss progress and challenges.
Access to learning platforms for skill development.
Participation in cross-functional projects to broaden expertise.
Amirra supports ongoing development with automated check-in reminders, tailored learning modules, and opportunities to build cross-functional connections, ensuring employees feel supported long after their first day.
How to Craft an Exceptional Onboarding Experience
Creating a standout onboarding experience requires thoughtful planning and execution. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you succeed:
Step 1: Preboarding Start engaging new hires before their first day. Send them a welcome email with key information, such as: What to expect on their first day. An introduction to their team. A personalized onboarding schedule. Preboarding sets the tone and ensures employees feel prepared and excited.
Step 2: Tailor Onboarding Programs Leverage data to customize onboarding content. For example, sales professionals might benefit from role-playing customer scenarios, while engineers focus on system architectures. Use personalized onboarding programs to align training with individual needs.
Step 3: Foster Social Connections Introduce new hires to mentors, peers, and leaders through team-building activities or virtual coffee chats. Encourage managers to schedule one-on-one meetings to discuss goals and answer questions.
Step 4: Integrate Feedback Loops Ask for feedback at regular intervals. Use surveys or one-on-one discussions to identify what’s working and where improvements are needed.
Step 5: Track Success Metrics Measure the effectiveness of your onboarding program through metrics like: Time-to-productivity. Employee retention rates. Feedback scores. Regularly analyze this data to refine your approach. Investing in the right technology ensures a smooth and memorable onboarding experience for employees and reduces administrative burdens for HR teams.
Measuring Onboarding Success
An exceptional onboarding program delivers measurable results. Here are key metrics to track:
Employee Retention Rates: Are new hires staying beyond the first year?
Time-to-Productivity: How quickly do employees achieve full performance?
Employee Feedback: Do new hires feel supported and prepared? Use these insights to continuously improve your onboarding process.
Conclusion
The future of onboarding isn’t just about processes—it’s about people. When done right, onboarding becomes a meaningful bridge that connects new hires to your company’s culture, values, and vision. It builds confidence, sparks engagement, and sets the foundation for long-term success.
As 2025 approaches, let’s leave outdated, one-size-fits-all approaches behind. Your employees deserve an onboarding experience that feels seamless, human, and purpose-driven—no matter where or how they work.
Are you ready to set your new hires up for success and transform the way your teams connect, grow, and thrive? With Amirra, you can make every moment count—from preboarding to long-term development.
Let’s build a better employee experience—together. Request a Demo today!
