Hiring new employees can be a tricky process, especially for small business owners, who may not recruit new employees regularly. There are certain legal requirements in New Zealand that need to be followed, but selecting the right person goes beyond this.
Types of Employment
Before hiring staff, it is important for any business owner to consider the structure of the business and only then decide on the type of employment required.
While permanent staff may be the default option for most employers, having the right mix of employment types assists to ensure that day-to-day business needs are met while ensuring that the business has the capacity to increase output during peak times.
Fixed-term Employee A fixed-term, or temporary, employee is one who will end his/her employment on a specific time or date.
Seasonal Employee A type of fixed-term employee where their employment comes to an end at the end of, for example, a season.
Casual Employee
A casual employee works on an irregular basis, with no expectation of ongoing work. There are, however, a lot of questions surrounding casual employees.
Advertising Vacancies
It is good to do some introspection before advertising for a position. Identify your company’s needs, the job specifications and the overall cultural fit you’re seeking.
You will also need to identify whether you are looking for a highly skilled employee, junior, apprentice or trainee.
Below are the details you should include in your ad:
- Job title
- Reporting procedure
- How to apply
- Location of the job
- Duties and responsibilities
You may also include pay and benefits, skills required, experience and qualification, and an application deadline.
Interview Process
Be certain of your company values before heading into any interview and keep these front of mind when speaking to applicants.
Plan your interview questions in advance and take the time to review the candidate’s CV so you can ask specific and relevant questions. It is a good idea to ask both skills-based questions and behavioural questions.
Always end the interview by asking the candidate whether they have any questions about the role or the company. This gives them the opportunity to clear up any misunderstandings and to give the candidate a clearer picture of the role.
If the candidate is a good fit, and you decide to offer them the position, it is essential to have a specific and detailed contract.
Get Professional Advice
The hiring process can be complex and lengthy. For small business owners, this can take up vital time and resources that they may not be able to spare. Peninsula has worked with thousands of Kiwi businesses offering support in employment relations and workplace health and safety. If you need support, contact Peninsula for a confidential chat to see how we can help you