Whether you are just starting a new business or you are looking to expand, taking on new staff can be a pretty daunting task, especially if it is your first time doing so. Not only are there costs involved, there is also the pressure of hiring the right person who has the skill set that you are looking for.

The Costs

There are a number of costs that are involved in taking on a new employee. The most obvious one is the wage that they will be paid, but there are also other costs as well that include things like advertising the job, taking the time to interview candidates and potentially also providing training for them when they start. The good news on the training front is that there are government grants available to small companies in order to provide relevant training for employees, which you may be eligible for, so don’t forget to check out finance options advice as not all of it is to provide start-up capital.

The Process

Before you advertise a job you will need to put together a well-defined job specification for your new employee. You will need to decide exactly what skills they need and whether they require previous experience. You can find advice on creating a job description that will take you through the key elements you will need to consider. You will also have to be aware of various elements of employment law so that the job you create and the way that you advertise it is legal.

Then you need to consider where you are going to advertise the job. There are a number of options including job websites, local newspapers and also local job centres. Your best options will likely be defined by the skills of the applicant you are looking for and also the wage you will be offering.

When it comes to interviewing your applicants you should think in advance about the information you need from them in addition to what they have written on their CV. You should tailor the interview to the skills you require from the applicant. You can use the interview to make some sort of measurement of the applicant’s skills. While you could create your own method of assessment, there is advice available on how to measure different types of skills, which are likely to provide you with a more robust assessment method.