You can ask just about anyone walking down the street in Chicago how they spot an out-of-towner, and nearly everyone will have an answer.
For some, it’s in the labels someone uses. If someone says “Willis Tower” instead of “Sears Tower,” that’s an immediate sign. If someone calls the large body of water next to the city by its actual name, Lake Michigan, instead of just calling it “the lake,” that is a clue, as well.
For others, showing you call Chicago home is all in the food. First and foremost is the famous Chicago dog — don’t ever put ketchup on it. There is also a fairly large camp of natives who will swear that locals don’t eat deep-dish pizza; it’s all about the tavern-style pie for them. Others are die-hard Pequod’s deep-dish lovers.
The final category for “how to spot an out-of-towner in Chicago”, is knowing the shorthand for a few pieces of city infrastructure. For example, “LSD” probably doesn’t refer to a psychedelic drug, it likely means the road Lake Shore Drive. Also, someone talking about “taking the train” probably means taking the Metra rail line out to the suburbs or an Amtrak train out of town. Most Chicagoans call the rail line in the city the “L,” which is shorthand for elevated.
The list could go on, but the truth is that anyone who visits or transplants to Chicago really only has to do one thing — embrace Midwestern hospitality, and it will embrace you.
Built In Chicago spoke with two recent hires who wanted to share how their new company embodies its own version of Midwestern hospitality.
GoHealth is a Medicare marketplace platform that helps people understand what plans are right for them.
Describe your experience with the onboarding process at your company. What resources, tools or people were made available to you during the process?
As the senior manager of people and culture, one of my responsibilities is to elevate employee engagement from their first day onward. It was apparent to me on my first day that GoHealth has already put many initiatives in place to ensure new hires are genuinely cared for upon their arrival. The welcome communications that came before my first day felt very inviting and details provided made sure I was well prepared on day one.
Upon arrival, one of my colleagues greeted and escorted me to the new-employee orientation. We reviewed vital information during orientation, such as GoHealth’s history, core values and employee benefits. We also had a member of our IT team assist us with one-on-one support in getting our technology set up for our roles. At my desk, I was welcomed by a new GoHealth backpack filled with a lot of branded swag that immediately made me feel part of the team.
How did the onboarding process contribute to your understanding of the company culture, values and expectations? Were there any specific training programs, resources or mentorship opportunities provided during onboarding that you found especially helpful?
I was introduced to our core values of integrity, collaboration, accountability, resilience and empathy, aka I.C.A.R.E, which is clearly part of the GoHealth culture. I learned about our mission and immediately understood the purpose of our company: To do right by the employees, customers and communities we serve.
One reason I chose GoHealth is our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. This is discussed extensively in the onboarding process, but I also experienced it firsthand through our Culture Connection. I’ve participated in a few events hosted by our employee resource groups, and they’ve been engaging and inclusive. My role will be to elevate the six pillars of our Culture Connections, which focus on education, health, community service, supporting our ERGs, elevating the employee experience and having fun in the process.
My start date also coincided with the launch of GoHealth University, a series of learning sessions hosted by functional experts to help employees learn our industry and how GoHealth operates as a part of it. These gatherings enriched my onboarding experience and allowed me to instantaneously build my network across GoHealth.
“These gatherings enriched my onboarding experience and allowed me to instantaneously build my network across GoHealth.”
What about your onboarding experience was different from past experiences starting in a new role? What do you think made it so effective?
On my first day, I completed a brief employee profile and was excited to see it promoted on the TV monitors around the office the very next day. In addition, they introduced a new hire celebration that welcomed all new hires throughout the year, which allowed another opportunity for me to meet some new colleagues and senior leaders at GoHealth. Everyone I have met has been open and willing to assist me in navigating the organization. As a bonus, our office in the historic Merchandise Mart is an amazing facility that gives us spectacular views of Chicago and the Riverwalk.
What made this experience stand out was the personalized attention to detail, the resources available from day one, and the opportunity to connect with many of my colleagues in meaningful ways. I’m even more excited to work here after onboarding and joining the GoHealth community.
OppFi is a fintech platform that provides accessible products and a top-rated experience to credit-challenged consumers.
Describe your experience with the onboarding process at your company. What resources, tools, or people were made available to you during the process?
The onboarding experience at OppFi was well structured, which made the transition into my new role smooth and efficient. The combination of engaging webinars, walk-throughs, readily available support and accessible managerial guidance made me feel welcomed and informed.
OppFi is a remote-friendly company, with the onboarding process set up as a series of Zoom webinars. These webinars were a great opportunity to connect with colleagues while enhancing my understanding of the company’s goals and strategies. One of the standout resources was a small group walk-through of the company’s intranet, The Loop. This comprehensive tool was instrumental in helping me navigate my first days.
“The combination of engaging webinars, walk-throughs, readily available support and accessible managerial guidance made me feel welcomed and informed.”
When I encountered any technical needs or issues, creating a ticket for the IT team was straightforward. The team efficiently addressed any concerns or questions I had, ensuring that I could focus on my work without unnecessary delays.
Finally, my manager played a crucial role by always being available for questions and providing key insights into my role and responsibilities. With their support, I found it easier to integrate into the team and understand how my contributions impact the company’s goals.
How did the onboarding process contribute to your understanding of the company culture, values and expectations? Were there any specific training programs, resources or mentorship opportunities provided during onboarding that you found especially helpful?
During the onboarding process, I learned about OppFi’s guiding business principles and the importance placed on fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. From the outset, I was impressed by the emphasis on openness and collaboration, two fundamental aspects of the company culture.
The engaging Zoom webinars, including a CEO lunch, allowed me to hear directly from leaders across the organization. The helpful training programs, a combination of structured sessions and hands-on experiences, gave me a robust understanding of my role and how it fits into the larger picture. One of the sessions provided insights into the company’s mission and vision, which helped me align my personal goals with those of the organization.
OppFi’s mentorship opportunities take an open community approach, giving employees hands-on experience cross-departmentally. This exposure enhances skill sets and provides a pathway for career advancement. In fact, I’m excited about utilizing a company perk to pursue a certification, which speaks to OppFi’s investment in employee development and growth. In the future, should a role become available in another department, I would feel well-equipped to apply.
What about your onboarding experience was different from past experiences starting in a new role? What do you think made it so effective?
My onboarding experience at OppFi differed notably from past experiences at other companies in a positive way. In previous positions, I often felt that everyone was too busy with their own responsibilities to take the time to help new employees navigate the tools and resources available. I felt lost or overwhelmed trying to find my footing with the lack of guidance. At OppFi, the onboarding process was effective due to the combination of accessible resources, clear guidance and supportive communication.
OppFi’s onboarding journey outlines where to find important information and who to contact for guidance. This structure significantly reduces the ambiguity often associated with starting a new role.
I would like to recognize the people operations associate who consistently sent thoughtful and well-organized emails regarding happenings at OppFi. Those timely updates included helpful guides on navigating various processes, which made it easier for me to get acclimated. The proactive approach to communication helped me feel more connected and informed about the company and its operations from day one.
