In this episode, host Kiana and her sister Tara dive into the often confusing—and sometimes deceptive—process of onboarding at a new job. They break down what onboarding really entails, the different types of onboarding, and how to spot early red flags in a company’s culture. Whether you’re starting your first job or navigating a corporate role, this episode provides actionable insights to help you make the most of your onboarding experience—and avoid toxic workplaces.

Onboarding is a trial period for both you and the company. The first 90 days are critical for assessing fit—don’t ignore red flags just because you're excited about the job.

• Formal vs. Informal — Structured training vs. learning through experience.

• Tactical vs. Strategic — Administrative tasks vs. culture immersion and long-term growth.

• Cohort-Based vs. Individual — Group training (common in corporate roles) vs. role-specific onboarding.

• Horizontal vs. Vertical — Broad company exposure vs. deep dive into your department.

Onboarding is a prime opportunity to build allies across departments. These connections can support you later in your career.

Red Flags in Onboarding:

• Disorganized or nonexistent onboarding

• Lack of role clarity or bait-and-switch job descriptions

• Unrealistic workloads or no work at all (poor management)

• Difficulty accessing resources or key people (dysfunction)

• High turnover and disengaged employees (toxic culture)

• No work-life balance (e.g., bosses ignoring boundaries)

• Negative or manipulative leadership (e.g., blame-shifting, gaslighting)

• Resistance to feedback or questions (lack of investment in your success)

Onboarding reveals a company’s true culture. If they can’t onboard you well, they likely won’t support your long-term growth.

Stay skeptical. The onboarding “honeymoon phase” can mask problems—keep evaluating if the job aligns with your goals.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Onboarding
00:15 Welcome to the Podcast
00:49 Understanding Onboarding Basics
03:25 Phases of Onboarding
13:30 Types of Onboarding
22:00 Boss's Perspective on Onboarding
25:42 Corporate Meetings and Their Purpose
26:20 The Importance of Mentality in Onboarding
26:52 Common Misconceptions About Onboarding
27:36 Networking During Onboarding
29:49 Onboarding as a Mutual Evaluation Period
32:45 Red Flags in Onboarding
35:50 The Impact of Poor Onboarding
38:28 Telltale Signs of a Dysfunctional Company
48:31 Concluding Thoughts on Onboarding