“You are Hired!” 10 Ideas You Never Thought of

Reflect on your own career journey. How were you informed of your employment offers by past employers?

Throughout my diverse career, I’ve experienced various hiring processes.

In about 80% of cases, the news of “You’re hired!” arrived through either a letter or email, while the remaining 20% came via phone calls. However, let’s acknowledge the lack of creativity in these methods. Is your organisation following a similar pattern?

It’s worth reconsidering if there might be a more engaging and innovative approach to deliver such fantastic news to new hires. Come on, let’s create some unique WOW-moments!

I admire individuals and companies that approach corporate challenges with creativity every day. If you were a Hiring Manager, how would you convey the message “You are hired” to a candidate? This is an opportunity to make each new hire feel valued and unique in a way that surpasses conventional methods. It’s about creating a memorable experience that sets your company apart from others.

Is there a risk?

Certainly. There’s always the possibility that the candidate might decline the offer if they receive a better one from elsewhere or decide to stay with their current company due to a salary increase. That’s why it’s crucial to act swiftly once you’ve identified the right candidate and ensure their genuine interest in joining your team. It would be disheartening to go to extra lengths to announce “you are hired,” only to discover the candidate’s intention to decline.

Every company, industry, job, and team is unique. What works for one may not suit another, depending on factors like company size. However, I’m here to share how you can transform this positive candidate experience into an even more memorable “wow” moment.

10 Wow-Ideas to tell your new team member “You are hired!”

• Idea #1: The Personalised video message. Skip the standard letter and opt for a video message to convey the job offer. Show genuine enthusiasm as you personally deliver the news to the candidate. The more tailored and heartfelt your message, the stronger your connection with the candidate will be. Once created, send the video via email for a memorable and impactful way to welcome your new team member.

Idea # 2: The team video message: To elevate Idea #1 even further, involve not just the HR Manager or company manager but the entire team or at least those members the new hire will closely collaborate with. If you’re using a Mac, leverage tools like iMovie to create stunning trailers. Use this opportunity to express genuine excitement about the new hire joining the team. Such an approach is not only effective for employer branding but also encourages sharing on social media, especially after the new hire has given notice to their current employer.

Idea # 3: The surprise at lunch time: Invite the candidate to lunch without revealing your final hiring decision. Arrange a special surprise by asking the waiter to place a congratulatory note inside the candidate’s menu. When the candidate opens the menu, they’ll find the note, bringing an instant smile to their face.

Idea # 4: The home-delivered treat: The CEO, HR Manager or direct supervisor could visit the candidate at their home in the evening, bringing a congratulatory card and a bouquet of flowers for women or a luxury box of chocolates for men. Alternatively, you could bring a cake with “You are hired” written on it instead of “Happy Birthday.” For those who love personalised gifts, consider printing a mug with the candidate’s picture (check their social media profiles, like LinkedIn, if needed) and the words “You are hired.” Fill the mug with chocolates, ensuring they are nut-free to avoid any allergy issues. If the candidate doesn’t live locally, you can hire a courier service to deliver the good news along with your chosen treat.

Idea # 5: The card with the team picture: If you prefer to send the great news via snail mail, make it more creative by including a team photo. Write a congratulatory card and attach a picture of all staff members. Ensure every team member signs it, or at least the closest colleagues the new hire will be working with, and adds a short welcoming note. This personal touch will make the new hire feel truly welcomed.

Idea # 6: The a t-shirt printed: Have a T-shirt made with “You are hired!” on the front and send it to the candidate along with a small congratulatory card. The benefit? The new hire can wear the T-shirt in their spare time, promoting your company casually. On the back, include your logo or corporate slogan. Printing these T-shirts in bulk (in various sizes) makes sense, as you can give one to every future employee as well. You might also consider adding the new team member’s name on it. However, this personalised approach might lead to higher costs and require more planning.

Idea # 7: The whiteboard animation. Although this idea may be time-consuming, it will certainly stand out! Have someone create a whiteboard animation that briefly narrates how the candidate impressed the interviewer, culminating with the exciting announcement, “You are hired!” Add an applause sound effect at the end for extra impact. Send this unique video via email. You can find many freelancers on micro jobbing websites, such as Fiverr, who can create these animations for you or try some AI-tools in order to get it done quickly, and with impact.

Idea # 8: The handwritten personalised letter with 3 postcards: Send a handwritten personalised letter to the new hire and include three pre-stamped corporate postcards. Each postcard could say something like, “I just got hired by [the company’s name]” on the front. The advantage of pre-stamping these postcards is that the new hire is more likely to send them to friends and relatives, rather than leaving them in a drawer because they need to buy stamps. By printing these postcards in bulk, you can obtain them at a reasonable price and simply add the stamps. The larger your company, the greater the impact of spreading the good news! Think: employer branding!

Idea # 9: The Tweet on Social Media: Share the exciting news on social media. To make it even more impactful, consider adding a team video message. However, use this strategy with caution. It’s best suited for candidates who are not currently employed elsewhere. Publicly announcing a new hire before their current employer is informed could be inappropriate and problematic. Additionally, you want to be completely certain that the candidate has accepted your offer before making any announcements. So, proceed with care!

Idea # 10: Host a surprise party! Invite the new hire to the office without revealing the reason, and then throw a surprise party. It would be fantastic if everyone in the company could join this celebration after office hours. Give the new team member a warm and unforgettable welcome. Show them how much you care!

Now, I’m curious to learn about your favourite approach. If you were in charge, how would you share the exciting news of a new hire with your employees? Do you have any interesting stories or experiences to share? I’d love to hear from you.

Always strive to do things a bit differently, with a touch of creativity. If you, like me, enjoy creating memorable moments for others, stretch your imagination even further.

As Steve Jobs famously said, “Think different.” But don’t just think — act differently!

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