You need a second pair of hands and you’d like them attached to the perfect person for the job. Hiring your first employee is a big step, and most of your thinking and calculating should happen before you file your first “Help Wanted” ad. Consider these ideas and suggestions:
- Write out a careful job description. Outline, for yourself as well as your future employee, exactly what skills you’re looking for. List all duties and responsibilities that the job entails.
- Determine a salary range. What can your business afford? Will you be able to offer a benefits package?
- Create an application form. Candidates may have resumes, but ask them to fill out applications anyway. You can compare answers on their application with the information on their resume to make sure it’s consistent.
- Make up a list of questions you will ask when you interview candidates. Take notes during the interviews, and keep the Q&A sheets in the applicants’ files.
- Search a more select candidate pool. Before placing a “Help Wanted” ad in the newspaper or online, look for qualified candidates by contacting business associates, trade and vocational schools, colleges or high schools.. However, avoid hiring friends, relatives, or customers – if things don’t work out, firing a friend is difficult and awkward.
- Encourage candidates to talk about themselves, past employment, training, interests, and goals. Good questions to ask might be: “What is your greatest strength? How will that benefit this business?” “What was your favorite job so far?” “What was your least favorite job, and why?” “What is your greatest weakness?” “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
- Avoid asking questions about the following topics: age, sexual preference, race, religion, marital status, disabilities of any kind, date and type of military discharge.
- Take some time to talk about your business, describing yourself and the job in more detail.
- No matter how enthused you are about an applicant, resist the temptation to hire her or him on the spot. Check references, interview other people, and invite the top candidates back for second or third interviews.
- Resist the temptation to hire someone who is a lot like yourself. Your business will benefit most from an employee with strengths and talents somewhat different from your own; a person who can bring a broader range of skills to your business.
- Consider a tryout or evaluation period. Ask the prospective employee to complete a project, for which they are paid. Make your final hiring decision based on the quality of the candidate’s work.