As the talent market tightens, smart organizations are rethinking how they hire and onboard new employees. There are numerous approaches to successful onboarding; however, there are several key factors that all successful onboarding programs exhibit. The first is communication. Starting a new position is intimidating for anyone, and the more discussion you can build into the onboarding process, the better. Ask them what’s working, what’s not working, what their challenges are, and what help they need. Mentorship and shadowing are also critical. Help the new hire better understand their role in the context of the greater organization by giving them insights into where they—and others—fit into the product life cycle. A “buddy” system can be helpful in this regard. Make sure a more senior employee is trained to serve as a sounding board, answer questions, and provide regular check-ins. Finally, realize that your new hire doesn’t know what they don’t know. Don’t wait for them to come to you with questions; make sure you start conversations with them regularly.