In my previous business ownership venture, the thought of hiring an employee made my heart palpitate and my palms sweat. It seemed like such a huge step and there were so many unknowns. My biggest fear was that business would slow down and I wouldn’t be able to generate enough revenue to pay them and myself. This fear kept me from hiring and expanding my business. If you feel you’re ready to hire, read on for some Do’s and Don’ts to help you get started.

DO

• Make sure there is enough sustainable work to demand additional help.
• Make sure you have the financial ability to pay an additional person, including the hidden costs such as benefits, training expense and more.
• Make sure you understand the legal requirements of hiring employees. Research government guidelines, safety compliance regulations, employee tax issues, etc. The Small Business Administration has a variety of helpful resources.
• Make sure you know the type of employee you are looking for and what qualifications they need to have.
• Make sure you have the necessary documents in place – including job descriptions, policies and procedures, employee handbook, tax forms and contracts.

Don’t

• Hire out of desperation – this can be challenging especially if you are so busy you don’t have time to think. Create a plan to make sure that you are hiring the right person.
• Hire the first person who walks through the door. Take the time to do an adequate interview and check references to make sure the applicant will be a good fit.
• Compensate with meaningless perks. Make your pay scale fair and complementary to the skills needed for the job. Think about what you can realistically offer when it comes to perks.
• Make any promises that you can’t follow through on especially with regards to salary, promotions, etc.

Hiring employees is a financial as well as an administrative responsibility. You should be certain that you can handle everything that comes with it.

Do you need help but not ready for an employee? A Virtual Assistant may be the answer. Let’s chat about how The Essential Assistant can help you take care of your business.

Until next time,

Jo