Employee Onboarding Surveys: Questions, Template, and Best Practices

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Apr 25, 2025

Most companies spend months and (a lot of money) finding the best hire just to lose them within the first few weeks or months. Frustrating, right? The problem is not always the job itself but the overwhelming onboarding process. A report by Software Finder found that about 32% of newly hired employees in the last two years are planning to quit within the next six months and that rises to 48% among those who had a poor onboarding experience.

Employees today expect a structured, stress-free, and engaging onboarding process, but what’s the best way to ensure that? Employee Onboarding surveys.

The companies that actually listen through onboarding surveys retain talent, improve productivity, and create a thriving workplace.

In this blog, we’ll show you how employee onboarding surveys help HR teams and People Ops leaders gather onboarding feedback, understand the new hire experience, and build a more connected, high-performing workforce.

The Cost of Poor Onboarding

According to a study, organizations without a formal onboarding process face challenges, including :

16% lower productivity
14% increased inefficiencies
12% higher employee turnover
11% decrease in employee morale

What Are Employee Onboarding Surveys? (A Quick Overview)

Employee onboarding surveys, also known as new hire surveys, are human resources tools used to measure new hires’ onboarding experience and help organizations improve their onboarding process for future employees.

These onboarding surveys cover questions related to first impressions of the company, effectiveness of orientation, the quality of training sessions, job clarity and role expectations, support from management, and overall satisfaction with the onboarding process.

An effective onboarding survey helps to:

Identify onboarding gaps and areas of improvement.
Guage new hires' satisfaction with the onboarding process.
Increase retention and performance in teams.

Stronger Onboarding = Low Employee Turnover

Get started with TheySaid and build onboarding surveys that actually drive engagement. See what’s working, fix gaps, and keep new hires thriving. Sign up for free!

Read - 50+ Best Employee Onboarding Survey Questions to Ask New Hires

Why Employee Onboarding Matters: Learn from Google’s Survey-Driven Approach

Google (the world's second-highest valued company) is known for making decisions based on data, and its onboarding process is no exception. Instead of overwhelming new hires with information, Google uses “just-in-time nudges,” which are timely reminders and guidance at key milestones in the onboarding journey.

They use one-to-one Check-ins to monitor new hires' performance regularly. This new onboarding strategy increases new hire productivity by 25%. Their onboarding surveys reveal that structured peer mentoring programs increase job satisfaction among new hires, leading them to implement buddy systems in the onboarding process.

Onboarding doesn’t stop after day one. Ongoing support, especially from managers and peers, helps new hires integrate smoothly and stay productive.

The Science Behind Effective Employee Onboarding Surveys & Engagement

Employees with an exceptional onboarding experience are 2.6 times more likely to be satisfied at work. (Gallup)

The employee onboarding process is not simply a checklist to follow; it's a psychologically driven experience that shapes the employee‘s decision to stay at the company long-term.

Research in behavioral science, organizational psychology, and HR analytics shows that the onboarding process profoundly impacts employee engagement and satisfaction.

Let’s break it down for you:

Psychological Safety

A psychologically safe environment is one where employees make mistakes, share new ideas, and express themselves without being judged. Employee Onboarding surveys help companies measure how comfortable their new hires are in the workplace and what needs to be adjusted to improve their experience.

Cognitive Load Theory

According to Cognitive Load Theory (CLT ), a human brain absorbs limited information at a time. Companies often overburden employees with rules and regulations, procedures, and work expectations, leading to discomfort and stress. Onboarding surveys can reveal whether your new hires are feeling stressed. LinkedIn used feedback from onboarding surveys to spread their training sessions over multiple weeks, improving employee engagement.

Social Integration

Humans are wired for social connection. Self-determination theory states that a sense of belonging for human beings is a core psychological need. Employees who feel connected to their companies are likelier to stay there and thrive. Onboarding surveys can reveal how new hires adapt to workplace culture and what improvements should be made to enhance their experience.

Read - Top Onboarding Feedback Survey Questions for Employee Success

The 5 C’s of Employee Onboarding Surveys

Following are the 5 C’s of the onboarding process and how they build a solid foundation for a successful onboarding process, with some key questions to ask:

C’s	Why It Matters	Survey Questions
Compliance	The first C is compliance, which means that new hires' paperwork should be complete, and they are familiar with the company policies and legal requirements.	Did you receive clear information about company policies and workplace guidelines? Are you fully informed about compliance and safety procedures?
Clarification	The second C is clarification, which refers to setting clear expectations for the new hires regarding job, responsibilities, and performance.	Do you clearly understand your job responsibilities? Was your role and career growth path explained to you?
Culture	The third C is culture, which refers to the company’s culture. Introduce new employees to the workplace environment, company history, and company’s mission so they feel a sense of belonging in the organization.	Do you feel aligned with the company’s mission and values? Has your onboarding experience helped you understand the company culture?
Connection	The fourth C is connection, which refers to building good working relationships with colleagues and providing opportunities for social interaction and team-building activities for new hires.	Were you introduced by teammates properly? Do you feel welcomed by your colleagues?
Check In	The last C is Check in, which refers to management's ongoing support for new hires. Taking feedback and implementing the changes make them feel valued within the organization.	What suggestion do you have for us to improve our onboarding process? Did the onboarding process meet your expectations?

Did you know?

Organizations with strong onboarding processes can increase retention by 82%.

Read - How to Conduct an Effective Onboarding Feedback Survey

How TheySaid Improves the Employee Onboarding Process

A mid-sized SaaS company was struggling with early attrition: new hires often felt overwhelmed during their first 90 days, and HR had no systematic way to track feedback.

Using TheySaid, the HR team:

Automated onboarding surveys at Week 1, Day 30, and Day 90.
Collected voice and text feedback directly from new hires.
Leveraged AI-powered analysis to detect patterns, like repeated complaints about late IT setup and unclear role expectations.

Results:

HR quickly fixed the IT and onboarding gaps.
Employee engagement scores increased by 25% within three months.
Early turnover dropped significantly, saving the company time and recruitment costs.

With TheySaid, what was previously guesswork became actionable insights, making onboarding surveys effortless and meaningful.

Try TheySaid’s Free Employee Onboarding Survey Generator Now and start turning new hires into engaged, long-term team members.

Pre-Onboarding feedback vs Post-Onboarding Feedback

Collecting feedback at multiple points helps HR teams improve the new hire experience and optimize the HR onboarding process.

Pre-Onboarding Feedback

Gathered before day one, this feedback ensures a smooth start. Use it to clarify expectations, provide resources, and prepare new hires.

Example: Welcome emails, access to tools, or a quick onboarding evaluation form.

Post-Onboarding Feedback

Collected after onboarding milestones, this new hire feedback survey measures training effectiveness, role clarity, team support, and engagement.

Benefits:

Identify gaps in training or processes.
Track overall satisfaction and engagement.
Improve retention with actionable insights from post-onboarding feedback.

Pro Tip: Combining pre- and post-onboarding feedback provides a full view of the new hire journey, helping HR teams create a seamless onboarding experience.

Read: How to Start an Employee Onboarding Program: Your Complete Guide

Best Practices for Employee Onboarding Surveys and Example Questions

A great employee onboarding survey is all about Timing, Structure, and Action!

Choose the Right Time to Send the Survey

Timing is everything when it comes to sending an onboarding survey. Send it too early, and the new hires might not have enough experience to answer it. Send it too late, and they may have already disengaged, so what’s the sweet spot?

Here’s a winning timeline for you to send onboarding surveys for feedback

Week 1: “First Impressions Matter” Survey H4

This initial survey is important for capturing the first impression of new hires Also, they will have fresh memories of the onboarding process at the moment. The questions should cover topics as( initial feelings about the company, onboarding process experience, orientation-related, necessary tools, and technology).

Sample questions

How was your onboarding experience?
Do you have all the necessary tools to perform your job?
How well did your team welcome you?

Day 30: “Settling In” Survey

After one month, employees will have a clear understanding of the company culture and how well they fit into it. This survey will help you refine training sessions and team-building strategies. The questions should cover topics as (training effectiveness, job clarity, support from managers and teammates, engagement, and satisfaction levels).

Sample questions

How effective were your training sessions?
Do you clearly understand job responsibilities and expectations?
How connected do you feel with teammates?
What’s one thing we could improve about training?

Day 90: “Long-Term Fit” Survey

After 90 days, employees have a strong opinion on company dynamics and operations and their growth in the company. The questions should cover topics as (overall onboarding process, career growth opportunities and job satisfaction, and future expectations).

Sample questions :

On a scale of 1 to 10, how engaged do you feel at work?
Do you see yourself working here in two years?
Have you fully integrated into the company culture?
How can we improve the onboarding process? Give suggestions

Automate Perfect Timing with AI

Don’t just rely on the guesswork. Automate your survey timing and questions with TheySaid. Set up an AI-driven employee onboarding feedback survey to engage them in honest conversations, analyze trends instantly, and highlight action items

Try TheySaid today!

Building a Survey That Gets Real Insights

A well-structured onboarding survey is short, focused, and strategically timed. No one wants to answer 50 questions in a survey. Aim for 5 to 10 questions in each phase and combine multiple-choice, rating scales, and open-ended questions for depth.

Make Surveys Easy (or No One Will Take Them!)

Keep it mobile-friendly because most employees check surveys on their phones.
Send reminders to boost completion rates.
With AI-powered surveys (like TheySaid!), engage employees in real conversations, not boring forms.

Dig Into Data And Take Action

Look for patterns, not just individual responses. For example, someone saying they did not get a laptop on time might be a one-off issue. But four people saying the same thing is a pattern.

Not all feedback needs immediate attention, but some do. Focus on the issues that have the biggest impact on retention and employee experience.

Employees need to know their feedback isn’t going into a void. Keep them informed about the improvements being made based on their responses.

TheySaid’s AI automatically detects trends, common complaints, and recurring themes so you don’t have to manually sift through responses.

: 50+ Best Employee Onboarding Survey Questions to Ask New Hires

Employee Onboarding Survey Template For Free

Overall, how would you rate your first-day experience?

Excellent
Good
Average
Poor

Did you receive all the tools, resources, and access needed to start your job?

Yes, everything I needed
Some tools/resources were missing
No, I did not have what I needed

How clearly were your job responsibilities explained to you?

Very clear
Somewhat clear
Neutral
Somewhat unclear
Very unclear

How welcoming was your team on your first day?

Extremely welcoming
Moderately welcoming
Neutral
Slightly unwelcoming
Very unwelcoming

How effective were your training sessions?

Very effective
Effective
Neutral
Ineffective
Very ineffective

How confident are you in performing your tasks after onboarding?

Very confident
Somewhat confident
Neutral
Slightly unconfident
Not confident at all

Do you feel supported by your manager and team?

Yes, fully supported
Partially supported
No, not supported

Which onboarding resources helped you the most? (Select all that apply)

Orientation materials
Job-specific training
Team introductions
Company handbook/policies
Mentorship/buddy program

On a scale of 1–10, how satisfied are you with your onboarding experience?

1 (Very dissatisfied) → 10 (Very satisfied)

Do you feel integrated into the company culture and your team?

Yes, completely
Somewhat
No, not yet

What was the most helpful part of your onboarding experience? (Open-ended)
What improvements would you suggest for future onboarding programs? (Open-ended)

Supercharge Your Employee Onboarding Surveys with TheySaid AI

While the free template gives you a ready-to-use structure, you can supercharge your surveys with TheySaid’s AI for smarter insights and higher engagement.

TheySaid is more than just a survey maker platform; it’s an all-in-one feedback platform for new hires and employees at every stage.
Collect text and voice feedback, giving employees the option to speak naturally instead of just filling out forms.
Supports pulse surveys, full onboarding feedback, and AI-powered conversations, all in one place.

Teach AI About Your Company

Upload your company info, role descriptions, and culture.
AI creates customized questions that match your organization and employees’ real needs.

Import Surveys & Control Follow-Ups

Bring in existing surveys and let AI optimize questions for clarity and engagement.
Decide how many follow-up questions AI can ask per response.
Keep surveys concise, dynamic, and context-aware.

Interactive Chat Experience

Employees answer in a chat-like interface, making feedback natural and conversational.
AI can ask contextual follow-ups instantly based on responses, capturing deeper insights.

Integrations for Seamless Workflow

Connect TheySaid with Slack, Teams, email, and HRIS platforms.
Automate survey delivery, reminders, and reporting without leaving your workflow.
Pull insights directly into dashboards or HR tools for real-time decision-making.

AI Analysis & Actionable Insights

Detects trends, recurring issues, and urgent feedback automatically.
Summarizes insights for HR and leadership, saving hours of manual work.
Helps improve retention, engagement, and onboarding satisfaction based on data, not guesswork.

You can sign up for free to test our platform or book a demo with us to see how TheySaid transforms your employee onboarding and feedback process.

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Key Takeaways

Run employee onboarding surveys at Week 1, Day 30, and Day 90.
Mix question types for actionable new hire experience survey insights.
Collect post-onboarding feedback to improve the HR onboarding process.
Use an onboarding evaluation form for structured, concise surveys.
Leverage TheySaid AI for automated questions, analysis, and follow-ups.
Integrate with Slack, Teams, and HRIS platforms for seamless workflow
Include voice feedback to boost engagement and retention.

FAQs

What is an employee onboarding survey?

An onboarding survey is a questionnaire used to get feedback from new hires about how they feel about their work, workplace, and the organization’s culture.

What are the key questions to ask in an employee onboarding survey?

Some essential questions include:

Did you receive all the necessary tools and resources?
Do you clearly understand your role and expectations?
On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your onboarding process
On a scale of 1 to 5, how supportive is your management?
What can we improve to enhance your onboarding experience?

What should an employee onboarding survey email template include?

An effective employee onboarding survey email template should be short, engaging, and clear. It should include:

A friendly greeting makes the employee feel valued.
A brief explanation of why their feedback matters.
A direct survey link for easy access.
A thank-you note to show appreciation

How Do You Measure Onboarding Success?

Measuring onboarding success isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about helping new hires feel confident, supported, and part of the team. You can track success using employee onboarding surveys at key milestones: Week 1, Day 30, and Day 90. Focus on metrics like role confidence, connection to the team and company culture, effectiveness of training, and overall satisfaction. Tools like TheySaid AI can analyze responses, suggest follow-up questions, detect trends across hires, and even collect voice feedback, making it easier to improve your HR onboarding process, boost retention, and keep employees engaged from day one.