The first few weeks of a new hire’s journey are critical. A well-structured onboarding experience sets the tone for productivity, engagement, and long-term retention. One of the best ways to optimize your onboarding process is by collecting structured feedback through new hire onboarding survey questions.
By asking the right questions, HR teams can:
- Identify process gaps
- Improve training and communication
- Boost employee satisfaction
- Reduce turnover
In this guide, we’ll share:
- What to include in an onboarding survey
- Sample survey questions by category
- Best practices for timing and format
- Tools to simplify the process
What Is a New Hire Onboarding Survey?
A new hire onboarding survey is a structured questionnaire sent to new employees after their first few days, weeks, or months on the job. Its goal is to gather insights on:
- First impressions of the company
- Effectiveness of training and resources
- Team integration and support
- Overall onboarding satisfaction
Tip: These surveys are usually anonymous to encourage honest feedback.
Benefits of Asking New Hire Onboarding Survey Questions
| Benefit | Impact |
| Improves employee engagement | Employees feel heard and supported |
| Highlights onboarding gaps | Spot areas needing improvement |
| Reduces early turnover | Address issues before they cause dissatisfaction |
| Enhances productivity | Streamlines training and resource delivery |
| Strengthens company culture | Aligns onboarding with organizational values |
Categories of Onboarding Survey Questions
Organize your questions into categories for clearer analysis. Here are the most useful categories:
First Impressions
Gauge how the employee perceived the hiring and onboarding process.
Sample Questions:
- Was your first day well-organized?
- Did the job description match your actual responsibilities?
- Were you welcomed by your team on your first day?
Preboarding & Communication
Understand how well-prepared the employee felt before starting.
Sample Questions:
- Did you receive all necessary information before your first day?
- Was the communication from HR clear and timely?
- Did you have access to your email, tools, and software before arrival?
Training & Resources
Assess the effectiveness of early training and access to tools.
Sample Questions:
- Was your onboarding training helpful and relevant to your role?
- Do you have access to the tools you need to do your job?
- Did someone walk you through company systems or platforms?
Team Integration
Measure how well the employee has connected with coworkers and management.
Sample Questions:
- Have you had the opportunity to meet your teammates?
- Do you feel comfortable asking questions to your manager?
- Are team roles and expectations clear to you?
Company Culture & Values
Understand if the employee is aligned with your values and mission.
Sample Questions:
- Do you feel included and valued in your workplace?
- Have you been introduced to the company’s mission and values?
- Do you understand how your role contributes to company goals?
Overall Satisfaction
Get a pulse check on the overall experience.
Sample Questions:
- How satisfied are you with your onboarding experience? (scale 1–10)
- What’s one thing we could have done better?
- Would you recommend this company to a friend?
When to Send a New Hire Survey
| Timing | Purpose |
| Week 1 | Capture first impressions and quick wins |
| Day 30 | Evaluate training, systems, and role clarity |
| Day 90 | Assess long-term integration and retention |
Sending multiple surveys over time provides a 360-degree view of the onboarding experience.
Tools to Send Onboarding Surveys
Here are some tools that streamline the process:
| Tool | Features |
| Google Forms | Free, easy to use, customizable templates |
| Typeform | Interactive, mobile-friendly surveys |
| SurveyMonkey | Advanced analytics and logic branching |
| Culture Amp | Employee experience platform with onboarding tools |
| BambooHR | All-in-one HR software with survey capabilities |
Best Practices for Effective Onboarding Surveys
- Keep it short: 10–15 questions max
- Mix formats: Use multiple choice, rating scales, and open-ended
- Ensure anonymity: Boosts honesty and response rates
- Act on feedback: Let employees know you value their input
- Track over time: Spot patterns and continuously improve
Example: New Hire Onboarding Survey Template (Quick View)
Welcome Experience
- How smooth was your first day? (1–5 scale)
- Did you feel welcomed by your manager and team?
Training & Tools
- Did your training prepare you for your role?
- Are you clear on what’s expected from you in the next 30 days?
Overall Satisfaction
- On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate your onboarding experience?
- Any suggestions to improve our onboarding process?
Why Onboarding Surveys Improve Retention
According to SHRM, 69% of employees are more likely to stay with a company for three years if they had a great onboarding experience. Regular feedback helps refine onboarding into a scalable, repeatable process that builds loyalty and trust.
Conclusion
The best way to improve employee onboarding is by listening. Using well-crafted new hire onboarding survey questions not only strengthens your training process—it also builds a culture of communication and continuous improvement.
Start with clear, honest, and actionable questions. Then use that insight to build a better experience for every future hire.
FAQs
1. What’s the purpose of a new hire onboarding survey?
To gather feedback on the new employee’s experience and identify areas of improvement in the onboarding process.
2. When should I send onboarding surveys?
Common touchpoints are after 1 week, 30 days, and 90 days post-hire.
3. Should onboarding surveys be anonymous?
Yes—anonymity encourages more honest and useful feedback.
4. How many questions should the survey include?
Aim for 10–15 questions to maximize response rate without overwhelming the employee.
5. What should I do with onboarding survey results?
Review responses, share insights with leadership, and implement process improvements.
Also read: Fear of Firing: Why Leaders Struggle and How to Overcome It