Although convenient and rewarding, running a home-based business often comes with a unique set of challenges as well. Schedules are difficult to make, productivity is hard to maintain, and a good work-life balance is nearly impossible to achieve. In such an environment, every entrepreneur could use some help. However, the prospect of hiring employees can also be quite daunting, especially if you’re bringing a complete stranger into your home. To reduce some stress and make this process easier and more successful, here are some crucial tips you should follow when finding the right employees for your home business:
Know what to look for
Hiring employees takes plenty of preparation. First, you will have to determine your needs, and then see whether part-time workers, full-time employees or independent contractors suit your requirements the most. You will also have to know exactly which skills and competencies the employee needs to have. Should they be creative, tech-savvy, good problem solvers, or proficient in a specific field? Understanding these two factors will allow you to create an image of your ideal employee and make it easier to actually find them.
Define your offerings
While most home businesses don’t have too much capital, employees still have to be compensated. Decide what you can afford to pay the worker in advance and make the sum very clear in your job postings and interviews. In case your offer is lower than average, you may be able to attract good employees with other benefits. For example, you can offer flexible working hours, telecommuting, longer personal time off, shorter workweeks, etc. These can all be quite attractive advantages for potential job candidates.
Ask for referrals
Once you know who and what you need, as well as what you’re willing to offer, it will be time to start finding candidates. The easiest way to do this is by placing a job posting on your website, social media platforms, and specific job-seeking sites. However, you might benefit more from referrals as a small home business. Ask any friends, family members, or former coworkers whether they know anyone hardworking and trustworthy enough who is willing to work with you. A recommendation from someone you know can help you ensure safety and increase your chances of success.
Outsource the process
Hiring remote workers is another good option for home businesses, as it allows you to reach more candidates and find the best fit. But if you’re looking for international workers, the entire process of finding and managing employees can be quite challenging, especially with no previous experience. In that case, consider working with an experienced global employer of record to simplify this process. Being a specialized organization that takes over the administrative and legal aspects of hiring remote workers, these professionals can help with onboarding, payroll, employee benefits, tax issues, and other similar operations.
Plan the interview
After you’ve managed to find suitable job candidates, it will be time to conduct an interview. Begin by establishing a separate space for these meetings, and then invite your candidates. During the interview, try to gather plenty of information. This includes reading the resume, asking for references, and talking more about their education, skills, and experiences. You can also ask them job-specific questions to gauge their knowledge, create hypothetical scenarios to test their competence, or simply attempt to determine their personality and overall fit with your home business.
Be open and honest
During the interview and any other communications you have with candidates, aim to be as open and honest as possible. Make it clear that you are running a home-based business, and that their office will likely be located in your or their home as well. Ask them how they feel about working from home and carefully listen to the answers you receive. In case the candidate’s answer wasn’t satisfactory, you can ask follow-up questions about their personality, thoughts, and habits to see how they really feel. Allow the candidate to voice any doubts or reservations, and accept feedback.
Do your due diligence
It’s common practice to do background checks on all prospective employees, but it becomes even more important when the person is expected to come into your home every day. Check their criminal record, go through their education and employment history, make sure every reference checks out, examine their credit history, and verify important information such as name, citizenship, and work permits. Consider going through their social media pages as well, as this could say a lot about their personality. After hiring an employee, make sure to set clear boundaries and invest in the right insurance policy for protection.
In Conclusion
Running a home business is difficult enough, but it becomes even more complicated when you need to take other people on board. To ensure success, follow the guide above, stay informed and prepared, and above all, remain positive.
