When a new employee joins any organization, it is important to start their journey off the right way with a “welcome to the team” message or some sort of personalized communication.
By contrast, imagine a new hire left waiting on day one, greeted with silence, handed paperwork without guidance, and rushed through a half-hearted office tour. Questions go unanswered, the manual is outdated, and interactions feel cold. By the end of the day, they’re questioning their decision to join. It’s hardly a winning start.
The difference between these two approaches is that onboarding helps to acclimatize new employees and make them feel part of the organization. A warm welcome to new employees inspires confidence and is motivating. The other, more mundane approach is simple orientation.
While orientation introduces employees to company policies, encourages them to enroll in benefits, and ensures they get all the necessary paperwork signed, thoughtful onboarding is different. It’s got much more to do with communication. Effective communication in the onboarding process not only facilitates a smooth transition for the new team member. It also contributes to a positive team culture.
Importance of “Welcome to the Team” Messages During Onboarding
Onboarding, the process we use to introduce new employees into the organization, is more important than many people (including business leaders) imagine. Employers and business leaders need to make a good impression during this time. If they don’t, it can directly affect the organization’s overall employee retention, leading to unnecessary staff turnover.
Brent Daub, senior founding partner of the law firm Gilson Daub, maintains that nearly six in every 10 workers are considering searching for new jobs in 2025. Interestingly, he says “Those searching for a new job in 2025 are not primarily in search of more pay but rather more fulfillment.” Even when their compensation increases dramatically, many remain discontented.
This feeling of discontent is what Gallup has dubbed, “The Great Detachment.” Analyzing what is causing people to detach from their employers, Gallup highlights five organizational changes that have contributed to this. One is rapid organizational change, which many companies experienced post-2020. This resulted in record-high turnover and hiring, which they refer to as the Great Resignation. In December 2024, 73% of employees said their organization had experienced some level of disruptive change in the past year. Furthermore, with businesses adjusting to fluctuating markets, managers reported disruption from the restructuring of teams (55%) and additional job responsibilities for employees (69%). Nearly half (46%) reported budget cuts.
“Consequently, many managers are tasked with stabilizing disrupted teams and onboarding new employees while navigating a tighter budget.”
Gallup
At the same time, the reality is that if companies don’t get it right for new employees from the start, they risk increasing employee turnover. A key is to improve employee engagement — and an excellent way to do this is by crafting meaningful messages for new employees.
Increase Employee Engagement to Reduce Turnover
Writing in HR Executive, management guru, and bestselling author, Bob Nelson quotes PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) saying that the top two drivers of employee retention are:
- Recognition of one’s work
- Career development opportunities
He also quotes LinkedIn research that found 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their learning and development.
“Employees expect continuous online education and training in addition to onboarding training. This is because they want professional growth and career advancement to stay relevant and current with their changing job role and industry, which becomes a hedge against being laid off.”
Bob Nelson
It all begins with onboarding. So what can you do to level up your welcome message and increase employee engagement from day one? Showing new employees the positions they are about to embrace are important, and their future in the organization will include career development opportunities, is a good way to start.
Best Practices for Creating an Engaging Welcome Message for Employees
Welcoming a new team member is a crucial step in fostering a positive and inclusive work environment. Effective communication during this process helps set the tone for a successful collaboration. Here are some communication best practices for welcoming new team members to any organization.
Send Out a Powerful, Personalized Welcome to the Team Message
Right from the start, new employees will be making judgments about their employee journey. They will be wondering who they are interacting with and considering whether or not the onboarding process is effective and informative.
For them, the first internal communication will be a first impression. It’s important to get that right so you have their trust from the start. Surprisingly, many organization leaders don’t take the time to do it right.
Clearly, a half-hearted welcome to the team message isn’t enough.
Enthusiasm and a positive tone are two important elements to include. You need to assure new employees that they are a welcome addition to the team and you are excited to work with them. One great tool is to use “power words” in your welcome messages to new employees. In an OptinMonster post, Jennifer Butler Keeton points out that these aren’t just ordinary words. “They’re the triggers that ignite emotion, drive action, and make your message unforgettable.”
As a result, using power words can elicit strong positive emotions so they feel excited or empowered by their onboarding. She talks about different types of power words, including power words for trust, which is vital during the onboarding process. Exclamation marks can also effectively send an impactful message. Instead of using them sporadically, end a sentence with one when you want to emphasize something or drive a point home. Just don’t go overboard!
Prioritize Clear and Effective Communication
Generally, employees who are well-informed stay satisfied and can make the long and successful journey for employees significantly better. But, they need essential information about the job and the company’s expectations.
An efficient way to convey this is through personalized communication. This way, the transfer of information is easy for both an internal communicator and receiver. Add all the details that the new team member will need and they will have a good foundation to work from.
You can also make sure that they know that questions are encouraged and mutual understanding is the goal. Mutual understanding and even over-communication can be beneficial. There is nothing wrong with being too clear.
Consistency of information is another important element. If there is mixed messaging from the onboarding videos, the meetings with managers, or the newsletters they are getting, then how are they going to do their job effectively? Reviewing onboarding materials, welcome messages, and any company communications can ensure consistency and lead to all-important increased trust in the organization and its leaders.
Highlight Core Values
If they ended up getting the job, chances are employees aligned with what your company was looking for both in qualifications and attitude. But even after they get hired, it is still important to communicate the values and mission of the organization. Making sure these are clear for new employees can provide a chance to remember what they should be working towards. It is much easier to teach and reiterate these values from the start, rather than to try to push them onto someone after they’ve been working for the organization a while.
It is also important that they see those values adopted by the organization as a whole. Don’t just say what the ideals of the organization are. Show how you adopt them in your communications and in the company culture.
Personalize Communication
Especially since it is so common for new hires to feel unimportant, personalized communication is key. Being acknowledged as an individual can make every new hire feel welcome.
According to Indeed, an easy way to personalize the initial communications is to simply include personal details. These could be the person’s name, the department name, and the person’s specific skills that make them a great fit for the position. Personalizing messages and newsletters with personal attributes makes it easy to create a personalized experience.
Address new employees by their names and express genuine excitement about having them on board. Mention specific qualities or experiences that stood out during the hiring process.
Warm Welcome Messages for Your New Employees
It is easy to overlook the importance of meaningful communication when it comes to new people. After all, they just need to get through the initial paperwork and onboarding so they can get to the actual job. However, the first welcome to the team message can set the tone for the rest of their all-important employee experience.
Make sure they feel welcome and important because every employee counts towards the success of an organization. There is no doubt that the right internal communication and welcome messages can help with that.
It’s a good idea to include details about their background, role, and a bit about their personality or interests. Encourage established employees and team members to reach out and welcome the newcomer.
Consider the Buddy System
Assign a buddy or mentor to the new team member. This person can guide them through their first few days, answer questions, and help them integrate into the team. Having a designated go-to person usually fosters a sense of belonging.
Provide New Hire Documentation
Including key documentation with your welcome messages sets a professional tone and helps new employees feel prepared from day one. Share important materials such as onboarding schedules, benefits information, team introductions, login credentials, and company policies. Providing these documents early creates clarity, reduces first-day anxiety, and ensures your new hire feels supported and informed before they even step through the door.
Team Introduction Meeting
Host a team meeting to formally introduce the new team member. Provide an opportunity for team members to share a bit about themselves and offer a warm welcome with . This can be done in person or virtually, depending on the team’s location.
Follow Up
Onboarding isn’t an instant fix. Check in regularly with new employees during the first few weeks. Ask for feedback on their onboarding experience, address any concerns promptly, and ensure they feel supported as they integrate into the team.
Best Welcome to the Team Messages for New Employees
There are a multitude of team messages you can create for a new team member. Ideally, whoever creates a warm welcome should have some insight into the person who is joining the team. That’s important, because they may not respond to every type of message style. Also, bear in mind that your new team member’s welcome messages, in this case, will be seen as coming from the whole team.
Personalizing welcome messages for new team members is particularly important. That’s why we suggest that you add the new team member’s name in your welcome message. Where relevant, add a department reference and or specific skills as well.
Welcome to the Team Messages from HR
#1 Welcome aboard! Your skills and talents are a fantastic addition to our [department] team. Get ready for an incredible journey with us!
#2 A warm welcome to our newest team member, [Employee’s Name]! Your arrival brings a breath of fresh air to the [team department]. Let’s create some amazing memories together.
#3 We’re thrilled to have you with us, [Employee’s Name]! Your energy and enthusiasm are the perfect fit for our dynamic team. Welcome!
#4 Welcome to the family, [Employee’s Name]! Your unique perspective and talents are exactly what we’ve been waiting for. Let’s achieve greatness together.
#5 New team member alert! [Employee’s Name], we’re over the moon to have you join us and value your [skills] immensely. Get ready for a mix of hard work, fun times, and shared successes!
Welcome Messages from the Manager
#6 Say hello to [Employee’s Name], our newest team star! Your skills shine bright, and we can’t wait to see the incredible impact you’ll make. Welcome aboard!
#7 Welcome, [Employee’s Name]! We believe in the power of diverse talents, and you bring something truly special to our team. Here’s to a fantastic journey ahead!
#8 It’s not just a welcome; it’s a celebration! Thrilled to have you join us, [Employee’s Name]. Let’s make work feel like a second home together.
#9 Welcome to the dream team, [Employee’s Name]! Your talents are the missing piece we’ve been searching for. Let the adventure begin!
#10 [Employee’s Name], your journey with us starts now! Welcome to a team where your ideas matter, your talents shine, and success is a collective effort.
Welcome Messages from Team Members
#11 Drumroll, please! 🥁 Welcome [Employee’s Name] to the [department] team. Your presence adds a new layer of awesomeness. Let’s make every day amazing!
#12 Lights, camera, action! Welcome, [Employee’s Name], to the star-studded cast of our team. Your role? Bringing brilliance and inspiration every day!
#13 A big, warm welcome to [Employee’s Name]! Our team just leveled up with your arrival. Get ready for a ride filled with growth, challenges, and shared victories.
#14 New team member alert: [Employee’s Name] has joined the crew! Your [skills] and personality are the perfect match for our fantastic team. Let the good times roll!
#15 Welcome, [Employee’s Name]! Your journey with us is like a blank canvas, and we’re excited to paint it with success, collaboration, and loads of positivity.
#16 Break out the confetti! 🎉 We’re thrilled to welcome [Employee’s Name] to the team. Your energy and expertise are the secret ingredients to our success.
#17 Welcome aboard, [Employee’s Name]! The team is now complete with your arrival. Let’s write a story of success, growth, and lasting friendships together.
#18 Step into the spotlight, [Employee’s Name]! Your talent and potential are the stars of our team. Welcome to an exciting chapter of your career.
#19 The team just got an upgrade – welcome, [Employee’s Name]! Your skills are the key to unlocking new possibilities. Let’s achieve greatness side by side.
#20 Hey there, [Employee’s Name]! The team just got a whole lot better because you’re now a part of it. Buckle up for an exciting ride using your [skills]!
Free Employee Onboarding Template
We have shown you how a well-structured onboarding process alleviates new-hire uncertainty and establishes a foundation for trust and engagement. To make it even easier for you, we have created a welcome email template for new employees. It’s customizable, user-ready, and designed to foster a welcoming culture in your organization.
Whether you are an internal communicator, an HR leader, team manager, recruiter, or company executive, our employee onboarding template is free to download now.
Send the Best Welcome Messages with Cerkl Broadcast
We have provided you with 20 ideas for great welcomes to the team messages, but how will you deliver them?
The good news is that Cerkl Broadcast has great solutions for onboarding communications that will enable you to streamline the process.
With Cerkl Broadcast, you can send personalized Email Blasts to new employees based on their role, department, location, or start date, ensuring all welcome messages are tailored and relevant. Using audience segments and employee attributes, you can automate onboarding messages that resonate with the individual while maintaining consistency across your new hire experience. This not only saves time but helps build connection and engagement from day one.
What’s Next?
Are you still grappling with what to do next? Are you wondering where to go once you have completed the onboarding process for new employees? No worries. Cerkl has another free offer for you in the form of our Employee Experience Journey Mapping Template to Transform Your Workforce Engagement.
You will find that a well-mapped employee experience is an important cornerstone of organizational success. Our template is intuitive and adaptable to, and designed to help you succeed.
FAQ
A warm and simple way to say welcome to the team is by using phrases like, “We’re thrilled to have you on board!” or “We’re excited to welcome you to our team!”
A good welcome message should be warm and inviting, setting a positive tone for your interaction or relationship with the recipient. It should also convey important information, such as your name or the purpose of the message while being concise and respectful of the recipient’s time.
Welcome messages for new team leaders will express excitement about the person being appointed to lead the team. The message might say, “We are delighted to have you lead our team. Your expertise and leadership skills are invaluable, and we look forward to achieving new heights under your guidance. Together, let’s create a collaborative and successful journey.”
