Welcoming a New Wave of Workers

It seems like ages ago, doesn't it, that business leaders could think about hiring new employees? A bruising economy left little room for adding head count and the budget dollars associated with a new employee.

• The Basics. Outline your guidelines for communication practices. Explain how you like to be kept up to date: a weekly email report, a one-on-one meeting, a touch-base phone call – maybe all of the above. Also, communicate the timing, format and goals of all key staff or organizational meetings.

• The Experts. Today's new college graduates are "digital natives" – they've grown up with technology and are often early adopters of emerging tools and online services. Tap into this knowledge to help your broader team understand how topics such as technology or social media can help the team do work better, faster or cheaper. Leaders have a lot to teach a fresh workforce but they stand to learn a lot from them, too.

• The Future. After your new hire has settled into their role, schedule a time to talk about career objectives and growth opportunities. This is particularly helpful for recent graduates. Provide a roadmap for personal and professional development that would help these students realize the applicability of their skills, experience and knowledge in today's workplace. 

Listen to what a group of Syracuse University students have to say about their upcoming entry into the workforce on a recent episode of Dulye & Co.'s Spectator-Free Workplace Podcast.