First Days Are Unforgettable: How to Reflect Company Culture Through Onboarding

We've all heard the saying, "First impressions matter." When it comes to the workplace, this couldn't be more true. For a new employee, the first day isn’t just about getting a desk or an email login—it’s about stepping into a new cultural environment. And whether that culture feels warm and welcoming, or distant and rigid, can shape the rest of their employee experience.

Company culture isn’t just what's written on the About Us page or displayed on an office wall. It lives in day-to-day behaviors, in how meetings start, how people communicate, and even in the jokes shared during breaks. This is why onboarding is a powerful moment to bring culture to life in a real and authentic way.

Why Onboarding is the Ideal Time to Showcase Culture

According to research, organizations that establish strong employee engagement within the first 90 days see a 69% higher retention rate. But engagement doesn’t happen through paperwork or job descriptions alone—it happens when employees feel like they belong.

That feeling of belonging starts with onboarding. While it’s important to teach how the job is done, it's equally essential to explain why the company does what it does, how it works, and what unwritten rules new hires should know (like whether meetings are typically cameras-on or which communication channels are preferred).

5 Ways to Keep Culture Alive During the Onboarding Journey

1. Lead with Stories, Not Slides

Instead of launching into a long presentation about company history, kick off onboarding with a story—perhaps a video message from the CEO about how the company began. Stories create emotional connection and help communicate the essence of a culture far better than bullet points ever could.

2. Introduce Cultural Rituals

Whether it’s a Friday team lunch, a Monday morning kickoff, or a Slack channel for peer recognition, these rituals say more about your culture than any handbook ever could. Include them early in onboarding to give new hires a sense of rhythm and belonging.

3. Set Up a Buddy System

Even small questions can feel like big barriers in the first few days. Assigning a buddy or mentor helps ease that tension and provides a friendly, informal resource to help them settle in and pick up on your cultural nuances.

4. Use Small Gestures with Big Impact

One Sorwe customer includes a small welcome box for new hires: a coffee mug, a card that highlights the company’s core values, and a handwritten welcome note. These simple acts can speak volumes about your company’s warmth and appreciation.

5. Remember: Onboarding Is a Two-Way Street

Effective onboarding isn’t just about delivering information—it’s about listening, too. What are new hires noticing? What surprised them? Gathering their feedback at the end of the first week or month can be incredibly valuable for evolving both your culture and your onboarding experience.

Reflecting Culture in a Remote or Hybrid World

Post-pandemic, many companies are operating remotely or with hybrid models. While the physical office space may be gone, culture doesn't need to disappear. It just needs to evolve.

Use interactive videos, Slack introductions, digital games, or virtual coffee chats to create human connection from afar. Sorwe can help you deliver personalized onboarding journeys while tracking engagement and learning outcomes. This ensures both the employee and HR teams stay aligned throughout the entire process.

Final Thoughts: Culture Can’t Be Explained—It Has to Be Felt

Onboarding is the moment an employee answers the question: “Do I belong here?” If the answer is yes, they become a passionate advocate for your company. If the answer is no, disengagement may begin before the first month is over.

First days are unforgettable—for better or worse. So the real question is: What will your employees remember about their first day with you?