For even the most seasoned worker, an onboarding program is essential in helping that employee assimilate into corporate culture, better understand his or her role and increase productivity, but it's especially important for new graduates just learning the rules – both written and unwritten – of corporate America, says Elise Freedman, director of talent management at Towers Watson.

"Because new grads are entering the work force for the first time with a real job, it's important to set expectations about performance, culture and values," Freedman says. "Onboarding gives employers the chance to set the stage right, get those new grads excited and help them understand the resources available to them."

To capture the attention of new graduates, employers increasingly are turning to technological platforms during the onboarding process, Freedman says. While the baby boomer generation still expects the typical onboarding orientation filled with paperwork, new graduates want quicker access to data with faster turnarounds.