7 Trends in Onboarding in 2025
In today’s fast-moving, multi-generational workforce, onboarding isn’t just a checklist item. It’s a moment at the start of their journey that can shape an employee’s entire experience with your company. Yet most organizations are missing the mark. In fact, only 12% of employees strongly agree that their company does a great job onboarding new hires, according to Gallup. That’s a major problem when you consider that 69% of employees are more likely to stay with a company for three years if they experienced great onboarding (SHRM).
Employees are craving a better onboarding experience. With the amount of technology and information available, it’s time for your brand to deliver a modern, engaging onboarding experience that sets clear expectations and gets new team members genuinely excited about their role. Let’s dive into the top onboarding trends for 2025 and help you design a stronger onboarding program to build a team that’s excited to grow with you.
Trend #1: Onboarding starts before day one
The days of radio silence between offer acceptance and “Day One” are over. In 2025, the best onboarding experiences begin before the first day, and they’re transforming new hire anxiety into new hire enthusiasm.
Pre-boarding is all about making employees feel informed, welcomed, and connected before they step foot in the building. Smart companies are using pre-boarding touchpoints like welcome emails, team intro videos, digital paperwork, and access to training platforms to give new hires a sense of clarity and momentum. This early engagement builds excitement and confidence while cutting down on the logistical chaos of the first day.
Pre-boarding isn’t just a feel-good strategy; it drives results. The Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) found that when organizations have a standard onboarding process, new hires are 50% more productive.
Here’s a quick list of pre-onboarding tasks you should consider incorporating into your onboarding strategy:
Send a welcome email outlining next steps and what to expect.
Introduce the team through fun bios, a group video, or Slack intros.
Share a digital copy of the employee handbook and orientation schedule.
Invite them to access your digital training platform or LMS.
Complete required paperwork and tax forms digitally.
Send a checklist of what to bring or prepare for day one.
Offer company swag or a small welcome gift to build early connection.
Starting the onboarding process early helps reduce first-day nerves and shows your team is organized, thoughtful, and excited to have them on board. And when done well, it sets the stage for stronger performance and quicker ramp-up.
Trend #2: Onboarding lasts longer
These days, onboarding isn’t a one-week checklist. It’s a year-long journey.
According to SHRM, onboarding should last at least one year because meaningful connections, performance confidence, and role clarity take time to build. Quick-hit orientations don’t cut it anymore. In 2025 we’re seeing the rise of continuous onboarding. That means structured 30-60-90 day plans, regular manager check-ins, and development milestones mapped out over the first year. While these check-ins help employees perform better, they’re really key for retention. Employees who feel connected to management tend to stay longer.
Trend #3: Personalization is everything
Generic onboarding is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Companies are now leaning into personalization by creating onboarding experiences tailored to each new hire’s role.
One of the most effective ways to deliver this kind of customization? Personalized learning paths. These are curated training journeys designed specifically for each employee based on their job duties and development goals. With a digital employee training platform, AI can automatically recommend training modules, videos, and quizzes that align with an employee’s unique profile — making onboarding more relevant and impactful.
For example, let’s say you’re onboarding a hotel front desk employee. Their personalized learning path might include:
A welcome video from hotel leadership
Core training on brand values and guest service standards
Step-by-step tutorials on using the reservation and POS systems
Situational video scenarios like how to handle a guest complaint or late-night check-in
Optional advanced modules on upselling techniques or loyalty program enrollment
By meeting employees where they are and guiding them through the knowledge they need most, personalized onboarding builds confidence faster and lays the groundwork for long-term, internal growth at your organization.
Trend #4: Onboarding goes digital
In a world where teams are spread across cities, time zones, and even continents, onboarding needs to be digital by default, but still human at heart. For growing, multi-location brands, it’s essential to provide every new hire with the same consistent, high-quality onboarding experience, no matter where they’re based.
Digital onboarding tools make this possible. Forward-thinking companies use video messages from leadership, mobile-friendly training platforms, and interactive onboarding courses to welcome and train their employees. But they’re also layering in human elements — like 1:1 manager check-ins, mentorship, and team introductions — to build connection and belonging.
Here are three reasons why digital onboarding is a game-changer for growing companies:
1. Consistency across every location
Whether they’re in Dallas, Denver, or Des Moines, employees receive the same training, brand standards, and service expectations when you use a centralized onboarding platform. That consistency helps protect your customer experience and your brand reputation.
2. Scalability without burnout
As your team grows, so does the complexity of onboarding. A digital platform allows you to automate recurring training, eliminate manual paperwork, and free up HR and managers to focus on building culture — not repeating the same info over and over. Say goodbye to reprinting updated versions of employee manuals and training guidelines.
3. Anytime, anywhere access.
Whether your new hire works days, nights, or just prefers to learn at their own pace, digital onboarding offers the flexibility today’s employees expect. From mobile devices to tablets, training is accessible whenever and wherever they’re ready to learn.
The best onboarding strategies in 2025 strike the right balance: efficient automation plus authentic connection. When done well, digital onboarding doesn’t feel cold or robotic. It feels clear, supportive, and personalized.
Trend #5: Information is easy to find
There’s a reason why Google exists. These days, everyone is accustomed to looking up answers for themselves. The same goes for training. New hires need to know where to find critical information — and fast!
Unfortunately, most organizations still fall short in this area. According to the Glean 2023 Onboarding Survey Report, workers search for a specific piece of information 35 times per week and will spend up to 13 minutes searching before they even ask for help. All that wasted time adds up: nearly one full day of work is lost per week just searching for answers.
And the impact goes beyond productivity. The same study found that 76% of employees are much happier at work when they can find what they need without having to ask someone else. That’s why the smartest onboarding strategies now prioritize searchable, mobile-first resources.
Modern onboarding should include:
A searchable knowledge base or training library
FAQ databases that evolve with employee questions
Mobile-friendly SOPs and brand standards that are easy to access during a shift
With a platform like ExpandShare, it’s easy to make this a reality. ExpandShare includes a searchable library of your brand’s assets and a smart chatbot that’s trained on your company’s resources. That means employees can get accurate answers instantly — without tracking down a manager or getting stuck in outdated documents.
The result? Faster onboarding, less frustration, and a more confident, capable team from day one.
Trend #6: Feedback is baked in
Onboarding today isn’t a one-and-done experience. It’s a conversation. Leading organizations now treat the first 90 days as a two-way street, using tools like pulse checks, quick surveys, and structured manager check-ins to understand how new hires are really feeling. These regular touchpoints help employees feel seen, supported, and valued — especially during the vulnerable early days of a new role.
This feedback loop also gives companies the insight they need to continuously improve their onboarding programs. What parts of training are confusing? Which tools are helpful? What’s missing? By listening closely to new hires and adjusting onboarding in real time, teams can improve retention, boost engagement, and create a better first experience for every employee who walks through the door.
Trend #7: Progress is measured
Last but not least, guesswork is out and data is in. Modern onboarding platforms come equipped with built-in analytics that help leaders track each employee’s progress in real time. You’ll know exactly which lessons have been completed, who’s passed their quizzes, and where someone might need extra support or coaching.
This visibility allows managers to step in early, offer help when needed, and celebrate milestones along the way. Instead of assuming a new hire is “good to go,” you’ll have the insights to guide them with confidence. Measurable progress doesn’t just support better onboarding — it lays the groundwork for long-term success.
Onboarding in 2025 isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s a strategy
According to Gallup, only 29% of new hires say they feel fully prepared to excel after onboarding. That means 71% of employees are starting their roles unsure, disconnected, and lacking confidence. And in a competitive hiring market, that’s a costly miss.
Modern onboarding is more than orientation. It’s your opportunity to build connection, set clear expectations, and ignite long-term engagement. By embracing these 2025 onboarding trends — like pre-boarding, personalization, digital tools, and continuous feedback — you’ll not only improve retention, but also create a standout experience your employees will remember.
Looking to level up your onboarding experience? ExpandShare makes it easy. With built-in training modules, mobile access, progress tracking, and customizable learning paths, ExpandShare helps you deliver an onboarding program that’s engaging, consistent, and scalable. Schedule a demo to see how you can make onboarding a breeze for you and your new hires.
