10 Good Synonyms For "Onboarding" in Business

“Onboarding” works in a business when they take on new employers and integrate them into the system. While this is already a great way to talk about the process, some other synonyms might be better suited to what you’re looking for.

The preferred versions are “orientation,” “integrating,” and “incorporating.” We can use these three words to show that new hires have been taken into a company. From there, they will often be instructed or taught about their roles and what’s expected of them.

Orientation

“Orientation” is great in formal contexts. We can use this for a company that’s hired new people, and they will “orient” them by making sure they understand what’s expected of them in their new job role.

The definition of “orientation,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “training or preparation for a new job or activity.”

I’m taking part in orientation today. I’m really excited to learn about this company and what’s expected of me.
Orientation is in three days. Can we all make sure that we’re prepared with the appropriate documents, please?
I want to run orientation this year. I think it’s important that we branch out with the people who are doing it.

Integrating

“Integrating” is another great term. This time, it implies that someone is trying to find a way to settle you into a new company. They will make sure your skills are a good fit for the role you’ve applied for before doing anything else.

The definition of “integrating,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “to mix with and join society or a group of people, often changing to suit their way of life, habits, and customs.”

They’re integrating the new employees today. I think you should head over there to see who they’ve got.

I think it’s time to integrate the new hires. Let’s make sure they all know what they’re doing before we put them on the floor.
Integrating processes always take so much of our resources. I don’t even see why we need to do them anymore! It’s an easy job.

Incorporating

“Incorporating” is another great choice. This time, it refers to joining a company or being merged into one. It applies best when you’ve taken on new hires from a company that might have merged with you for some reason.

While they are already trained in certain aspects, employees from a merger will still need to be incorporated into your procedures and business rules. There might still be some things they need to learn.

The definition of “incorporating,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “to include something as part of something larger.”

They’re incorporating the newer hires today. I think a few of them have already been around for months, so that’ll be interesting.
It’s time to incorporate the new candidates. Can we make sure to greet them in a friendly way this time, please?
I want to take part in incorporating the workers. I think it’s only fair that I head it this time.

Enrollment

“Enrollment” is great to show that new people have shown interest in your business. Generally, this applies before the onboarding process, as it refers to the list of names of people before anyone has been approached for interview offers or hiring opportunities.

The definition of “enrollment,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “the act of putting yourself or someone else onto the official list of members of a course, college or university, or group.”

It’s enrollment day. I’m hoping that we’ll get a fair few new employees out of this, but then again, we never usually see an increase.
It’s time for your enrollment. Are you looking forward to some of the things we’re going to be doing?

I think enrollment is where you need to go. It’s what you have to do when you want to get hired for a place like this.

Induction

“Induction” is one of the best formal alternatives to “onboarding.” Every employee has to have an induction when they are formally introduced to a company. That’s why it’s a great way to show that someone is learning about the procedures.

The definition of “induction,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “an occasion when someone is formally introduced into a new job or organization, especially through a special ceremony.”

My induction was all over the place. I don’t think I actually learned anything, and I should probably discuss that with the boss.

I hated my induction process. It was so long and unnecessary. I’m sure they did it just to try and scare me away.
I’m not sure I can be in charge of your induction. I don’t have a position that’s high enough within the company, I’m afraid.

Enlistment

“Enlistment” generally refers to joining the army. However, many businesses have also adopted the term for when they take on new hires. It refers to new people “enlisting” (meaning entering their name) to the company.

From there, the company can then run them through all the usual procedures in place before taking on new people.

The definition of “enlistment,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “the action of getting help from someone or something.”

I like to run through the enlistment process whenever I can. I like knowing who might be hired into this company.
I want to be in control of enlistment. Just give me a chance to show you what I can do, and you’ll be really impressed with me.
Enlistment is usually done in the armed forces. Yet, my company seems to think the term also applies to them.

Recruitment

“Recruitment” is a very common alternative to “onboarding.” You can “recruit” someone when you hire them to work for your company. That’s why it’s such a good choice in many cases because it gets right into the recruitment portion of events.

The definition of “recruitment,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “the process of finding people to work for a company or become a new member of an organization.”

They’re doing a recruitment drive at my office right now. I think it’s important for you to put your name in the hat to try to get hired.
Let’s go through the recruitment process once more. Then you’ll be more equipped to deal with it when it gets to you.
I don’t think they are doing the usual recruitment procedures for these types of companies. I’m not sure how I feel about that.

Admission

“Admission” is a great way to show that a company is taking on new hires. It works well because it shows that new people have “admitted” themselves to the company. From there, the company decides who to take on.

Incidentally, “admission” generally applies best to hospital patients or schools. We can use it for businesses, but it’s less common in this form.

The definition of “admission,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “the act or process of accepting someone as a patient at a hospital or as a student at a school, college, etc.”

Admission into this company isn’t easy. You have got to prove to us that you’re worth the hire. If not, you’re better off elsewhere.
I want to get through the admission process for once. But I don’t think I have any of the appropriate qualifications.
It’s my turn to look over the admissions. I’ll be sure to induct the employees in the correct fashion to set them up here.

Employment

“Employment” is a much more general term than the others. It refers to being employed overall (whether you’ve only just taken a job or you’ve had one for years).

However, “employment” still works well to talk about the process of hiring new people or inducting them into the company. Usually, phrases like “employment process” or “employment drive” are more common in this context.

The definition of “employment,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “the fact of someone being paid to work for a company or organization.”

Before the employment process can take place, we need to compile a list of all the names that have already applied.
I want to learn more about the employment protocols you’ve got here. Do you think you could share that information with me?

I want this employment process to be over. I’ve never felt so humiliated by some of the ridiculous things they’ve asked of me.

Engagement

“Engagement” is a good way to show that you’re trying to encourage new hires to enter your company. It’s particularly effective if you know that you work for an industry that is considered to be “boring.” You have to prove to others that this isn’t the case before hiring them.

The definition of “engagement,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “the process of encouraging people to be interested in the work of an organization, etc.”

I like your approach to engagement in this company. I think it’s really going to help us expand our team.
Engagement is paramount right now. We need to make sure we can get everyone involved and interested before going further.

I want to be interested in the engagement regime, but I don’t get it. Why would they even need it in place?

Martin Lassen

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.