You are finally there – you think you are ready to hire your first employee – this is an exciting and scary time. Can you afford it? Do you have enough work for them? What if they can’t do the job? You might be frightened that you don’t know how to interview. You are starting to wonder whether it’s all worth it.
Here are the things you should consider, to be ready to hire your first ‘superstar’ employee:
- Can you afford it? – Have you run the numbers? Make sure that you can afford this employee. What time will you get back by hiring this employee?
- Do you have a job description? – Work out exactly what you need this employee to do. What qualifications do they need? What portion of their time is going to be spent doing each part of their role?
- Have you purchased Worker’s Compensation? – It is a legal requirement for you to have Worker’s Compensation Insurance if you have employees. This protects you and your employee should there be an injury in the workplace.
- Modern Award – Do you know what Modern Award you are hiring this employee under? Have you checked the minimum rates of pay? You must have a copy of the Award in the office and you must send the Fair Work Information statement out with the employee’s contract.
- Do you have a compliant employment contract? – Employment contracts protect both you and your employees. A compliant contract shows that you run a professional business.
- The Interview – Have you worked out your interview questions? What information are you looking for? Make sure you have a mixture of technical, behavioural and cultural questions. Don’t skim – look to probe and get more information. You should talk only 20% of the time – they should be speaking the other 80%.
- Sell – Make sure you understand your Employee Value Proposition (what’s in it for them) – you need to be able to sell your job opportunity. Excite them about the prospect of working for you.
Hiring the right employees, at the right time and in the right role, can take your business to the next level – but remember – your employees are your greatest asset and can also be your greatest liability. You need to make sure you are ready to hire and also that you can attract, select and hire the best candidate you can afford.
Happy hiring!