How to Hire for a Small Business

Hiring new resources can be a daunting task, especially for small businesses, because it can be especially costly if you get it wrong, but the recruitment process itself isn’t free. It’s important to take your time and do your research, so that you make the best decision possible for your company.

There are a few different ways to go about finding potential candidates, but the most important thing is to be very clear on what skills you need and why, long before you need to vet each candidate.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the things you should look for when hiring new resources. We’ll also provide some tips on how to find the right person for the job. So if you’re in the market for new talent, read on!

Define and write the Job Description

The first step is to figure out what you need, and what type of professional would be best suited for the role. Do you need someone with specific skills or experience? Or would a generalist suffice? Do you need someone full-time, part-time or freelance? It is so important for you to determine the tasks that need doing and matching them with the skills required to complete them. Once you have figured out the tasks to skills requirement, you can create a job description for the role, which will become a living document that grows with the role, making it easier to hire in the future.

Starting the Recruitment Process – The Search

There are benefits to working with a professional, such as having access to their expertise and experience. But it’s important to do your research when hiring someone, so that you know you’re getting good value for your money and a good cultural match for your company. Here are some things to look for:

– Search for the role title or skills on LinkedIn

– If you decide to work with a freelancer, check out their website and social media presence – does their work resonate with you? Do you like their output? Obviously the social media presence of a freelance accountant or lawyer is not going to be as visually important as that of an Online Business Manager or Social Media Manager.

– Read reviews or testimonials from previous clients

– Ask for referrals from people you trust

– Get a sense of their customer service – are they responsive to questions and concerns?

Important Things to Consider before Starting a Project with a Freelancer

Working with a professional can help save you time and energy, but only if done correctly. When finding somebody to help with your project keep these things in mind:

– Make sure they are qualified for the job

– Set expectations early on what the project will entail and agree milestones and dates

– get an idea of their working style- some professionals prefer more guidance while others like to be given free reign and flexible hours in their day, this is important because your freelancer might be a night owl who gets the work done at opposite hours to you. This applies even more if your freelancer is on the other side of the world and therefore in a completely different timezone.

– Agree and contract the working arrangement, including payments or hourly rates before the work starts.

– If you’re satisfied with the work, consider building a long-term relationship! It’s always helpful to have somebody you trust to help with future projects.

Finding and Vetting Longer Term Employees

When it comes to actually finding and vetting potential professionals, there are a few different routes you can take. You can start by doing an online search, or reaching out to your network of contacts. Once you’ve found a few potential candidates, be sure to do your due diligence and research each one thoroughly before making a decision.

Do your research and take the time to find the right professional for the job – someone who you feel confident will do a great job and who you can work well with. Be clear about your needs, expectations and budget from the outset, and don’t be afraid to ask for referrals or check out reviews before making your final decision. Hiring a professional can be a big step – but it’s often one that can make a big difference in terms of the success of your business. Make sure you have a professional review and approve your contracts and make the offer.

Can I Help?

I spent a great deal of my corporate life writing job descriptions and recruiting teams, based on the real needs of the organisation, not the HR department. If I can help, please contact me or book a slot in my calendar for a chat. I’m happy to help, you don’t have to do business alone.