Is your company planning on hiring a new employee? It’s both an exciting and a daunting task. On the one hand, you’ll be eager to get the new hire on board to show them the ropes and, hopefully, benefit from their talents.
On the other, you may be worried about the recruitment process (which can often be lengthy and costly) – particularly regarding hiring the right person. You don’t want to make mistakes!
To make the recruitment process easier – on yourself and your potential candidates – here are nine things to consider before hiring a new employee.
1. The Right Salary
First, you will need to offer the right salary to candidates. There are two main reasons for this – first, you must abide by the law, ensuring you’re paying a living wage. Second, it’s important to offer a salary that matches the job in a way that doesn’t leave the company out of finances but also is appealing enough to the right talent.
2. Whether You Have Employment Insurance
Is it your first time hiring an employee? If so, something you may not have thought about is employment insurance. This type of insurance is something you need, as you may be fined without it. It will cover things like workplace injuries or employee illnesses.
3. How Long You Need the Employee for
Most new hires are taken on for the long haul, with the hope that they’ll stay with the company for quite a while. However, that’s not always the case, so it’s crucial to consider how long you may need to employee to be with the company. Is it a temporary hire? It’s best to determine this sooner rather than later.
That way, you can set out the details in the employment contract. This is one of those times when you need an employment contract so that the terms of working are 100% clear to the employee and the employer.
4. Whether They Have the Right to Work
One of the most important steps employers should take before hiring someone is checking their right to work. You don’t want to later realise they are legally allowed to work in your country, as your business could get in trouble. Usually, this process is pretty simple – you’ll just need to ask for the correct documents, such as a passport.
5. The Additional Skills They Have
Before hiring a new employee, you’ll likely look at the experience each candidate has, which is undoubtedly crucial. However, what about the additional skills they have? This is a significant factor too, as you want someone with well-rounded skills who can contribute to the company in a variety of ways.
For example, you might look for an employee who can use a particular software or has leadership experience.
6. How Many Candidates You Will Interview
The recruitment process can get out of hand before you know it. One minute, you’re reading through job applications, and the next, you’ve selected over a hundred people for the next stage. Realistically, do you want to spend time interviewing over a hundred candidates? A lot of it may be time wasted.
So, before you put candidates through to the next stage, you should determine a set number of candidates you want to interview. That way, you’ll be more focused on your selection.
7. Being Inclusive
All companies need to promote a diverse and ethical workplace. So, when hiring a new employee, keep in mind that you should be very inclusive. You may identify a diversity gap – in which case, it could help you hire someone to create a more inclusive workspace.
8. The Onboarding Process
Hiring a candidate is only the first step – what comes next is just as (if not more) important. The onboarding process is required to settle your employee into the workspace, ensuring they understand their responsibilities and meet the entire team. It’s something that can either scare the new hire away or make them feel comfortable at their new job, and you certainly want the latter!
9. The New Hire’s Development Opportunities
You’ll likely have an idea of the responsibilities your new employees will have once they come on board, but what about down the line? You want to retain your new talent, so it’s essential to consider the development opportunities you can present to them.
Not only will it make them feel more welcomed and excited about their role, but it will also mean you have a plan for better talent in the long term.