Prepare to Hire your first employee by asking yourself some simple questions

Asheville Citizen Times
10/29/07

So you are finally ready and able to hire your first employee.  You feel like the revenues, current and future, will justify getting some help and getting back some of your life…..time for more than just being your business.  If you are like most business people, getting to the emotional and financial place of hiring help is an important threshold.   

The next step is hiring the perfect person. 

But before you post that help-wanted ad you may still need to do some more introspective work. 

Begin by asking yourself, "What are your beliefs about hired help?"  We've all heard the saying,"Well, you just can't hire good help these days."  Or maybe this one, "No one wants to work hard for the amount of money I have to offer."  If these beliefs reside in you anywhere you may be in for an uphill battle. 

Hiring good help begins first by believing that it is possible.  Even better, that it is likely.  And trust me; you can hire excellent help these days.  There are always amazing, hardworking, responsible people who want to do good work. Your job is to attract them to you and be willing to recognize them and create an environment where they will thrive. 

Next, you need to ask yourself, "What do I want this person to do?"  This may seem obvious question, but I've learned that so many people fail to take the time to clearly know the answer. 

You need to be very clear about what you need your employee to help you with.  This is where I have made mistakes in the past.  I knew that I was running around doing everything myself.  I knew that I needed and wanted help.  I even went as far as to hire a person` only to realize that I was not really clear on the tasks I was turning over.  This scenario made it uncomfortable for me and the person I hired.  My employee wanted to do good work but I wasn't clear enough on what I wanted done.   

But wait.  There's more.  You have to recognize the right employee (and the wrong ones) when you see them.  Asking these questions ahead of time will prepare you.   What skills are essential in order to get the work done?  What kind of person am I most compatible with?  Can I afford to hire experience or can I live with someone who is willing and able to "grow into" the position?  Do I want a subordinate or a colleague or a teammate?  Good help can come in many forms.  And the clearer you are, the better. 


Lastly, "What can that person expect from me?"   Many people believe that employees are primarily focused on the monetary exchange for their work.  That is wrong.  While a fair wage is important, a good employee looks for much more.  They want an affirming environment.  They want to do good work and to be recognized for that good work.  Most want to feel they are a part of something meaningful and that they are positively contributing.  They want to do their job well.  So ask yourself the following…How will I train my new employee?  How will I let them know of my expectations?  How will I reward their good work?  What kind of supervisor will I be? 

Preparing well to hire your first employee will pay you dividends.