

Why first impressions often fail before day one even starts
Onboarding sets the tone for an employee’s entire experience. When it’s smooth, new hires feel supported and confident. When it’s messy, frustrating, or disorganized, productivity drops before it ever begins.
And more often than not, the slowdown isn’t caused by people, it’s caused by technology.
Here are the most common technology mistakes that quietly derail onboarding.
Nothing slows onboarding faster than a new hire who can’t log in.
Common issues include:
• Missing email accounts
• No access to shared drives
• Incomplete software permissions
• Delayed MFA or security setup
When access isn’t ready on day one, new employees spend their first days waiting instead of working.
If onboarding relies on emails, sticky notes, or memory, things get missed.
Without standardized processes, teams often forget:
• Software installs
• Device setup
• Security configurations
• Role-based access
Manual processes increase errors and create inconsistent onboarding experiences across departments.
Old hardware can turn simple tasks into daily frustrations.
Slow laptops, incompatible systems, or mismatched devices can cause:
• Long setup times
• Software issues
• Performance complaints
• Early frustration
First impressions matter, and outdated tech sends the wrong message.
Security is sometimes treated as something to “add later.”
This leads to:
• Weak passwords on day one
• Missing MFA
• Over-permissioned access
• Risky shortcuts
Good onboarding balances speed and security, not one at the expense of the other.
Even with access and tools in place, new hires still need guidance.
Without clear documentation, employees struggle to:
• Learn systems
• Follow workflows
• Know who to contact for help
• Understand security expectations
This leads to repeated questions, inconsistent practices, and slower ramp-up time.
When teams aren’t aligned, onboarding falls apart.
Common breakdowns include:
• HR doesn’t know when IT setup is complete
• IT isn’t informed of start dates
• Managers assume access is ready when it isn’t
Successful onboarding requires coordination, not handoffs.
Technology should make onboarding easier, not harder.
When access is delayed, processes are manual, devices are outdated, and systems aren’t documented, onboarding becomes frustrating for everyone involved.
At Soarin Group, we help businesses streamline onboarding by aligning IT, HR, and security processes, so new hires can focus on learning their role, not fighting their technology.