Here’s the materials from my “How to Hire an Employee.”  Click here to be taken to the handout (PDF-7 pages). One of the feedback responses I received asked for a step-by-step guide on how to hire an employee or independent contractor.  Below is the followup email that I sent to all attendees.

I touched on many of the points in my remarks however, I didn’t prioritize them.  Hopefully, this will give you a VERY GENERAL understanding of what factors to consider & when in the hiring process for either an employee or independent contractor.
  1. Develop a job description or some type of scope of work document (I.e., you explain exactly what you want & need done).
  2. Determine whether what you want is an “employee” or an “independent contractor.
  3. If they’re an “employee,” then determine how they’re to be paid; I.e., either as an hourly employee, who’s overtime eligible, or as a salaried employee who’s most likely not overtime eligible.  This is governed by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
  4. If they’re an “independent contractor” then determine how they’re to be paid in a way that you both mutually agree too.
  5. Develop a candidate pool.  Do your “due diligence” (I.e., research) relative to where, what & whom you use to develop this pool.
  6. Due your due diligence on all candidates you wish to pursue.
  7. Hire someone.

Thanks to the City of Chicago’s Small Business Center & Department of Business & Consumer Affairs for setting this up.