7 Questions to Ask Before You Make Your First Hire

It is rewarding when a plan comes together. You’ve worked hard and your business is taking off.  But if the growth leaves you with little time to enjoy your success – or worse, dreading new business, it’s time to get some help.  Before you run out and make your first hire, get clear on what you need and why you need it.

Whether you are considering your first hire or looking to add to your current staff,  ask the right questions to make better staffing decisions.

7 Questions To Ask Before You Hire

Is your current activity level temporary or sustainable?  Don’t let ‘crazy busy’ drive you to make a rash decision.  Hiring is a long-term commitment – in terms of time and money.  If you have a short-term need, you may wish to consider temporary labor or retain someone on a contract or freelance basis.

Do you need to delegate some tasks? For most business owners, the answer is yes.  So maybe the better question is are you willing to delegate some tasks? Unless you are willing to let go of some tasks, hiring or outsourcing won’t free up your time.  The key to going from technician to entrepreneur lies in your ability to focus on the tasks that only you can do – and delegate the others to someone else. Be an effective delegator.

What tasks do you need someone to perform?  As a small business, don’t trap yourself by thinking along traditional roles or titles. Build a list of tasks and be specific.  If you are not sure, start writing down all the tasks you do for the next 7-10 days.  Also, jot down the tasks that you should do, but aren’t because you simply don’t have time.  Look at the list and I’m sure you will find a lot that you could pass on to someone else.  Use this list to create a comprehensive job description. And yes, you should always have a job description before you hire!

What skills could a new employee bring to your company?  We all have our strengths and weaknesses.  It is human nature to gravitate toward people who are like us and often possess the same skills. When hiring, consider bringing in someone who can compensate for your weaknesses. In other words, hire for your weaknesses!  It will make your life easier and will actually strengthen your company.

How will the employee contribute to the bottom line or success of your business?   Whether it is generating sales or new business, delivering quality service, improving efficiency or freeing up your time – have a reason and expectations when hiring.   Know how you will measure success and the expected contributions the new hire will bring. Share it with the employee so you are both on the same page. This is especially true when hiring millennials — who want their jobs and related tasks to have a purpose.

How will you find the right person?  Before posting an ad in print or on job boards, start by reaching out to your own network – business contacts,  suppliers, friends and even your social connections.  Let them know you are looking to hire. Share your job description and other relevant information so they can help you find the perfect person. A phone call, email and social posts or messages can often uncover potential candidates. If your real or social network cannot provide qualified applicants, consider online job sites. For small, local businesses, I recommend Indeed.com. They offer both free and paid options and some tools to help manage the pool of candidates.

What do you need to properly train and develop a new team member?  Finding the right person is important. But even the most skilled individual will need training – to learn how YOU do things.  Written procedures and/or training videos for the tasks you need done make training easier and more effective. They allow the new employee to hit the ground running and quickly contribute – while saving you or others valuable time.

That first hire can make a big difference – but only if they stay and contribute to your success.  Invest the time to do it right and it will be a win-win for you and your new team member.