Generally there are considered to be 4 distinct phases of new employee onboarding. Here's each one, and what it means:
Pre-onboarding (or 'preboarding'): Preparing for your new hire to join the team. For example, getting their accounts and equipment set up, putting together a checklist or schedule for them, and getting documentation ready and completed.
Onboarding: The period of time specifically set aside for a new employee to get their footing. This usually includes meet and greets; accessing technology; learning about the company's mission, vision, and values; and gaining a deeper understanding of their role.
Training: Once an employee is settled in, they're ready for job-specific learning. This might include hands-on training, shadowing a peer, or working through a modular training program virtually or in-person.
Transitioning: This is the phase where a new hire begins to embody their role. They're ready to take on more complex tasks and managers can take a more hands-off approach. At this phase, an employee is an established member of the team and contributing consistent value in their day-to-day.