You have started your business; you are making sales, and all of a sudden you are overwhelmed. Orders are coming in faster than you can handle. Customers are calling. You are making money, but you are falling behind in paperwork and callbacks. It's obvious you need help, but what do you do?
It is time for you to make one of the most important decisions you will ever make regarding your business. It is time for you to hire your first employee!
Here are a few things to consider before you take the plunge:
• What are the duties?
To find good employees, first decide what you want them to do. Create a written job description. Be clear about what they will do and what is expected of them. Employees aren't mind readers.
Be realistic about your expectations. You are hiring an employee -- not a partner or co-owner.
• How much will you pay?
You can call Workforce One and ask for help in determining what is fair pay for various positions. Also consider what benefits you might offer. You might not be able to provide a 401(k), but you might be able to allow a flexible schedule and paid vacation time. It is better to pay well for a good employee than to save money on a bad one.
• Spread the word you are hiring.
Focus your job ads to attract the right people. You can promote some positions by just posting a ''help wanted'' sign in your store window or placing an ad in your local newspaper. For more specialized jobs requiring specific skills, try targeting trade magazines, online job banks and employment agencies.
Remember, sources such as friends, neighbors, suppliers and customers can often refer the perfect person for the position.
• Prepare for interviews and follow-ups.
Good interviews lead to good hires. You must be prepared and organized to have a good interview. Review candidates' résumés before their interviews and have questions ready. Ask the same questions of every candidate and write down the answers. Always give the candidate your undivided attention. That means no phone calls, e-mail writing, reading or interruptions. After the interview, write down any impressions or key points while they're still fresh in your mind. These impressions and the answers to the questions are all you will have to guide you when making a final decision.
Contact the job candidate's references and get professional background checks for sensitive positions.
Don't you hate it when folks say they will call you back to let you know about a hiring decision and then they never call? Make sure to call people back.
• Don't forget about retention.
Once you've hired good employees, how do you keep them? Be fair, value them and have good human-resources policies in place. Also, don't forget to provide training and professional development opportunities so that your employees can grow professionally.
These tips should help you find and keep the right person for your business.
Good Luck and Great Business!!
Video | Rafael Cruz discusses finding employees