What is Job Shadowing?
| Simply put, job shadowing is a form of workplace training in which an aspiring employee or intern closely follows and watches another staff member perform the job they have either just been hired for or are interested in. The goal is to familiarize the individual with the new role and prepare them for the tasks and requirements. |
What Are the Potential Benefits of Job Shadowing?
Job shadowing is not as intensive as other types of job training, and that’s a good thing. It allows the trainee to discover how their day-to-day tasks will unfold while letting the established employee go about their regular duties.
Key Advantages of Job Shadowing
Job Exploration
One of the biggest reasons employees leave their posts is that they don’t have a clear path to advancing their careers. Job shadowing allows individuals to see how professionals work in a real-life setting. Getting an up-close glimpse at different professions can help inform them to make career choices in the future.
Skill Building
Watching a professional in action reveals the specific skills, techniques, and practices the position demands, as well as any industry-specific tools the new hire will need to accustom themselves to. In that way, job shadowing is a form of visual learning that is more effective than an abstract, classroom-type training session.
Networking
Job shadowing gives the new worker direct, in-person access to other professionals in their field, a stark alternative to anonymous online networking. Down the line, an employee’s shadowing experience can help build a far-ranging network that may present other career opportunities.
Learning Workplace Dynamics and Culture
There’s more to a job than its roles and responsibilities. Namely, the surrounding environment and the relationships that colleagues forge. Job shadowing can reveal the dynamics that unite the workplace and support continued improvement.
Setting Expectations
Job shadowing gives employees a clear, concrete demonstration of the daily experience. That, in turn, makes the reality of the position clear and builds up realistic anticipation of what the job entails.
Instilling Confidence
Job shadowing can demystify processes with clear steps, especially if the position requires more hands-on work. Repeatedly viewing a work procedure can give new employees more self-assurance that they’ll be able to fulfill the job requirements.
A report from LinkedIn Learning underscores that notion, noting that the average employee’s number one motivation for learning is to progress toward their career goals.
Motivating and Inspiring
The Society for Human Resource Management says that 89% of companies that offer job shadowing opportunities have reported better employee engagement. Observing the work of an employee who’s truly committed to their work can be a source of incentive and drive. The employee or intern may be encouraged to pursue their career ambitions with more enthusiasm and determination.
Best Practices in Job Shadowing
When identifying job shadowing opportunities, pay attention to the ways that both HR managers and the shadowing employee can make the process more effective:
For HR Managers and Mentors
- Structure the job shadowing program with clear, reachable goals and objectives. These should align with the program’s purpose, whether it’s to develop skills, understand job functionality, or explore new careers.
- Identify the right mentor to be shadowed. They should have measurable expertise in their position but also be skilled at communicating, guiding, and inspiring others.
- Mentors should have access to tools and resources to support their efforts. This can include training and learning materials. HR should also have a feedback mechanism in place to get evaluations and assessments from both the mentor and the aspiring employee.
For Job-Shadowing Employees
- Learn all you can about the role and department you’ll be watching. Observe tasks, workflows, and interactions that come up, and don’t be shy about asking for clarification about processes and other details. Should the mentor invite you to engage at a level beyond merely observing, take any opportunities to join in discussions or perform certain tasks.
- Take the time to reflect on what you’ve observed at the end of each workday. Stay in touch with the HR manager who set up the job shadowing, letting them know what parts of the process were beneficial and areas of potential improvement.
Job Shadowing Dos and Don’ts
Dos: Some guidelines for job shadowing to keep in mind include the following:
- Research the job beforehand
- Ask insightful questions
- Pay special attention to interactions and specific tasks
- Be courteous, introducing yourself to other staff members
- Set clear goals
- Ensure ongoing communication between all parties
Don’ts: On the other hand, you’ll want to avoid:
- Interrupting the mentor’s workflow with unnecessary comments
- Dressing or behaving in ways that conflict with workplace protocol
- Taking on tasks without permission
- Neglecting to listen to feedback
- Overlooking privacy or legal concerns
- Failing to organize and structure the program
Understanding these dos and don’ts can make the job shadowing experience positive for all participants.
Set Up Job Shadowing Success
By outlining clear goals, choosing the most informed mentors, and building realistic expectations, HR managers can create a positive, actionable job shadowing experience for everyone involved, enabling a productive working environment and a better understanding of your company’s shared goals.
