Hiring your first ever employee is a real milestone for any small business. No matter the trade or service being offered, you only want the best to be part of your dream team. Employing someone new is exciting but also comes with financial anxiety and stress of settling someone new into the company you built. The tips provided will help to gain some clarity on what is required during each stage of the employment process.
No. 1 Advertise clearly for the position you are offering
When you have decided on what you need doing inside of your business, you are ready to write a job description. Keep it as simple as possible. What responsibilities does your role require?
Does the applicant need any specific skills or experience? What qualities would be needed to flourish in the job? It is your business so you have the best idea of what will enhance your trade and move the company forward.
Also, question the weight of the role; could this reasonably be expected of one person? Or would two people be required for success? If you cannot afford to hire a full-time employee, consider taking on freelance workers instead. It’s a great option for small jobs such as website design or social media updates.
Use a different outlets to advertise that you are hiring. Newspaper adverts can be costly and a little outdated when the majority of job hunters use online job search websites. Try head-hunting the skills you need on sites such as LinkedIn. However consider if you have the time available to directly approaching potential employees.
No. 2 Trust your gut instincts
It’s not wise to judge a book by its cover, but it’s fine to trust your instincts when it comes to business. Job applicants that look great on paper can often not seem like the same person in real life. Can you see yourself working closely alongside this person in harmony? Does this person reflect the ethos and qualities of your business? If the answer to those questions is no, keep interviewing until you find your perfect fit.
No. 3 Make sure you are paying the going rate
Over a half of Britons are unhappy with their current salary. Use an online Salary Benchmarking Survey to calculate what you can afford to pay each position based on your yearly profits. Be completely honest about the salary on offer. Further financial advice is advisable for keeping the books balanced when someone new jumps aboard the ship. If you have a particularly successful month or year, you could offer a bonus scheme to reward good work. Small businesses rely on the commitment of its small workforce. It’s crucial that your employees feel that they too are benefiting from the business’ success. It will make them want to work harder too!
No. 4 Re-evaluate your work environment and rules
It’s easy to get stuck in the rut of doing things your way. You might not have realized how shabby your premises have gotten until you invite someone for an interview. Maintaining a clean and tidy workplace can even improve the happiness and productivity of employees. A lick of paint or tidying up the filing system are small yet significant changes you can do in a weekend. Set a guideline of basic office rules. Cleaning rotas often come in handy too. Why not read The Qualities Of a Great Office and Five Things to Cut Out of Your Business for more ideas?
Milo Senalle
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