Integration of foreign skilled workers in companies

If you are thinking about hiring an international specialist or have already recruited employees from abroad for your company, an effective onboarding process is crucial. A new job often means leaving your home country and finding your feet in a country with a different culture, language and new rules. Employees from abroad therefore need special support in order to settle in and integrate successfully both in the company and in their new home country.

What is onboarding?

The integration of new employees, also known as onboarding, is a crucial process for the success of an organisation. It aims to ensure that new team members are well integrated into the company, not only professionally, but also culturally and socially. This process does not just begin on the first day of work. New employees are informed about their tasks and familiarised with important information about the company in advance.

During the onboarding process, it is crucial that the entire team is actively involved. Existing employees should be involved in the process right from the start. For example, they can act as contact persons or mentors for the new team members. These direct contacts can identify potential hurdles and overcome them quickly. This ensures a smooth start and the new member is integrated straight away.

A structured onboarding process extends over the first weeks and months of a new employee's employment. It does not usually end at the end of the probationary period. Instead, it seamlessly transitions into the ongoing supervision and support of employees. This can take the form of regular feedback meetings, further training programmes or the promotion of networking opportunities within the company, for example.

Successful onboarding not only helps new employees to become productive more quickly. It also helps to increase employee loyalty and satisfaction within the company. By ensuring that your new team members feel welcome and supported from the outset, you lay the foundations for long-term and successful collaboration.

Why is onboarding so important for international specialists?

International employees often need special support to help them settle in not only in your company but also in their new environment. Bear in mind that your newly hired specialist may have few or no social contacts in Germany. This means that their local colleagues are often their main point of contact in all matters.

In addition, the working environment has a higher social significance in many countries. A structured onboarding process can help to convey the corporate culture, working methods and expectations of the employer. Insufficient integration can lead to your new specialist leaving the company again soon. This could mean that the entire recruitment process is for nothing.

Do you need help with onboarding?