5 TIPS TO MAKE

5 Tips to Make New Hires a Long-lasting Success

Bringing a new employee into the mix is process commonly known as onboarding. The idea behind onboarding is to make the transition from new hire to team member as efficient and pain-free as possible. However, polling shows that some 31% of entry-level and intermediate level hires leave their new posts within just six months of starting. The question is: why?

The hiring and training process is time-intensive and doesn’t come cheap. This means that making a good match for the long haul requires more than just assessments of skill and personality. To ensure a talented new hire sticks around and is truly positioned for success, the onboarding process must be executed with the same care applied during hiring. For a few ideas on how to make the most of the onboarding process, consider the tenets below as you guide your new hire toward long-lasting success within your company.

1. Be honest about the scope of the role Let’s say you’re looking to add a new buyers agent or loan processor to your team. You write up the position’s responsibilities, but neglect to mention that you want the new hire to handle a host of administrative tasks, as well. Maybe it doesn’t seem important enough to outline in detail, as it’s the sort of thing the rest of your does. Miscommunications like these are a leading reason why new hires leave their roles. If there isn’t clarity and transparency about a position’s true responsibilities, then new hires may become quickly disillusioned and seek out greener pastures.

2. Build in some perks While stocking the breakroom with bagels every Friday may seem like a small gesture, it’s often those little morale-boosting moves that build loyalty and comradery among the team. Bike-to-work incentives, subsidized gym memberships, and benefits that match the needs of your employees—all are ways to demonstrate appreciation and investment in your team. Likewise, the right candidate will return the favor and invest his or her energies into their new role.

3. Get a sense of big-picture career plans Another reason new hires move on may have nothing to do with you or your office. In fact, many hires in entry-level or even intermediate roles have doubts about their long-term vision. That’s why it’s important to be upfront from the beginning regarding a candidate’s five-year plan and ultimate dream job. Maintain realistic expectations when asking these questions, but use it as an opportunity to gage a candidate’s seriousness about the real estate or mortgage industry. Why this line of work over another? Emphasizing industry longevity and career growth during the interview process can save you drama down the road.

4. Keep the lines of communication open Take a proactive approach in communicating with your new hire. Take time to check in regularly during the first six months of his or her addition. If you can, make time to train new hires yourself—if only for a part of the onboarding process. You’ll forge a deeper professional bond and create an avenue for further questions. All in all, make it clear that you’re personally invested in their presence and talents, and that you care what they have to say. That way, if any issues or doubts arise, you can stay on top of it and work out a solution, rather than lose a new employee.

5. Give new hires meaningful work to do It’s natural to keep the kid-gloves on with new hires, but don’t let that stop you from giving them a chance to shine. New team members will feel empowered and motivated if given meaningful projects to focus on. Don’t relegate their daily duties to busy work as they build experience. Instead, task new teammates with something challenging, or that draws on a specific skill you hired them for. You’ll instill confidence, demonstrate your commitment to their growth, and with any luck—keep them around for the long haul.

JAMES MATYAS

As the Originating Branch Manager of CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC, in Columbus, Ohio, James Matyas leads a team of 50 people —licensed in 37 states.

For James Matyas, entering the mortgage industry was the perfect way to utilize his people skills and business savvy mind. He got his start 15 years ago after owning a restaurant in Ann Arbor, Michigan. When the restaurant

didn’t work out, he started applying to jobs and was soon hired by a mortgage company. Although the first 30 days didn’t go as planned, he took the experience as a way to grow. “I buckled down and powered through my

discomfort of sales in general, and then I realized I could do it,” he says. His first year in the industry was an incredibly successful one, and today he shows no signs of slowing down. As the Originating Branch Manager of CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC, in Columbus, Ohio, he leads a team of 50 people, half on the operational side, and half in sales support, marketing, processing and underwriting. Licensed in

37 states, James and his team are able to help many people towards their dreams of homeownership. They offer traditional loans, conventional loans, bank statement loans, doctor’s programs, commercial programs and more.

With the majority of James’ business consisting of repeat clients and referrals, it is clear he is going above and beyond expectations. “I would say it’s my speed

“We try to emphasize the work between our clients and their agent. We want to make sure they’re working with them not only in this transaction, but in future ones.”

of service, the level of customer service and communication,” he says. James and his team guide their clients throughout the transaction, making sure no questions are left unanswered. But they also reinforce the relationship between their clients and real estate agents. “We try to emphasize the work between our clients and their agent. We want to make sure they’re working with them not only in this transaction, but in future

ones,” he explains. Both their clients and real estate agent partners appreciate his team oriented approach, as it keeps communication open and constant. With an average closing time of just 7 days (from application to close), being clear from the start is of utmost importance. “We offer 12 hour underwriting pre-approval as well, so if we can have a client fully underwritten in 12 hours or less,” James says.

Afterwards, clients love to spread the word about his work. One recently said, “We were referred to Jim by a friend who had also used him as a lender. One of the best decisions ever made. He was available and responsive whenever we needed him. We had questions, more than you might typically ask a lender, since we were first-time home buyers. He never flinched at how dumb the questions may have been. Jim and his team were great about getting everything in on time for our closing.”

When James isn’t working, he’s staying involved in the community through LGBT organizations or keeping active by traveling, boating or skiing.

As he looks towards the future, he is excited to continue growing. He has his sights set on bringing new loan

officers on his team who have a strong ambition and drive to create a business of their own.

http://www.justingrable.com For more information about James Matyas, please call 614-779-0316 or email james.matyas@myccmortgage.com