7 Things to Know Before Hiring Your First Employee

Your business might currently be only you, but, all going well, it won’t stay that way forever. Hopefully, after taking some time to establish your business, you’ll reach a point where you need to think about hiring an employee if you’re going to grow in size. However, this isn’t as easy as some first time employer’s think. Below, we take a look at seven things you’ll need to know before, during, and after the hiring process.

 

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It Can Be Costly

You might have built your budget for your employee around how much they’ll cost each year to employ, but these are only the beginning costs. Depending on where you live, there might be taxes to pay, benefits to give, and so on. And let’s also think about the actual hiring process, because that can cost money too. You’ll be writing a job description, finding places to advertise it, and diverting your energy away from your business duties in order to read resumes and give interviews.

You’ll Have to Wade Through Piles of Resumes

And talking of resumes: you’re going to receive a lot of them. Because here’s the thing: people don’t always fully read the description of the job they’re applying to before they hit send. They just fire off an application and hope that maybe it’ll stick. As such, you’ll be well-served by having some sort of vetting procedure that’ll instantly weed out the applications that just aren’t suitable for the position. It’ll save you a lot of reading time! Also, maybe mention that only shortlisted applicants will receive a reply, so you’re not forever sending rejection emails.

You’re Selling Yourself

You might be looking for the best talent, but the best talent is also looking for the best company to work for. As such, you can’t just ask for the very best without offering something of your own. If you have demands that could be considered unrealistic - let’s say, you’re offering an entry-level wage while at the same time asking for five years experience - then you shouldn’t be surprised if the best applicants look elsewhere. Your aim should be to sell your project to people; in short, why would they want to work for you? A solid wage, good benefits, the potential to grow professionally and creatively...these are things that the best people look for.  

There are Rules to Follow

You might have a long list of rules for your employees to follow, but remember that there are also rules that you need to follow too. Some of these will be formal, and some can be considered ‘good etiquette.’ It’ll all depend on where your business is based. If you’re in the UK, then you’ll need to know about the Acas Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures. Wherever you’re based, it’ll be a good idea to have an employee handbook which clearly outlines the company’s employee policies and the like.

It Might Not Be Best Idea

Of course, we’ve talked a lot about hiring your first employee, but it’s possible that it’s not the best idea for you. If you’re feeling under the strain, and like you need some extra help, then you might want to consider instead outsourcing some of your work instead. This is especially useful if it’s non-technical tasks that just seem to take up a lot of your time. However, you’ll have a better understanding of the needs of your business. If hiring an employee feels like the right thing to do, then go for it.

You’ll Need to Adapt Your Skills

You’ll already know that being a business owner demands a varied list of skills. However, so far, they’ll all have been about educating yourself and then doing them on your own terms. When you hire your first employee, the skills you’ll need will have little to do with you: it’ll be about your staff. You’ll need to figure out your leadership style, how to motivate, how to make sure everything gets done, and so on. If you’ve never been a leader before, then take a read of what some of the most successful entrepreneurs do each day.

You Need to be Formal

You might be a naturally warm and funny person, and you should stay that way, but if you’re a boss, you’ll also need to know when to be a bit more formal. You’re not employing a friend: you’re hiring a worker. Ultimately, it’ll benefit you, your employee, and the company if you’re willing to push when it’s necessary. Happy employing!