Decide what you need
Define the role and the problem it solves before posting anything.
Start with how to hire employees and types of employment. Consider whether a freelancer or intern fits better using hiring freelancers and hiring interns.
Finding and choosing candidates
A clear scorecard keeps interviews fair and decisions consistent.
See how to find the right employee, hiring mistakes to avoid and background checks. Check legal limits with an attorney.
Paperwork, benefits and onboarding
Employment forms, pay and benefits have legal requirements that vary by state.
Read how to do payroll, the I-9 form, employee benefits and an onboarding plan.
A hiring process in five steps
A repeatable process reduces costly mistakes.
- Write a clear role description with outcomes.
- Post where your candidates look and screen quickly.
- Interview with the same questions for every candidate.
- Check references and complete legal paperwork.
- Onboard with a written first-week plan.
Confirm employment and wage rules for your state with an attorney or a payroll provider.
Paying for payroll before revenue arrives
A new hire costs money for weeks before they add revenue.
Model the cost and the added sales together. If you win a contract that needs staffing first, working capital or a line of credit can bridge the gap, with payback worked out in advance.
Nothing in this collection requires you to borrow. Many owners read, adjust their habits and never need financing. For those who do, ROI Funder matches each file to funders in our network and lays out the true cost, the payback period and the monthly-equivalent payment before you sign. The requirements are 500+ FICO, 6+ months in business and $20,000+ in monthly revenue, and the application is a few minutes online with no impact on your credit score.
Guides in this collection
- Business Bank Account Benefits: Why Separate and What to Look For
- Employee Background Checks: What Small Businesses Need to Know
- Employee Benefits for a Small Business: What to Offer and What It Costs
- Employee Training for a Small Business: Build a Plan That Sticks
- Hiring Internally: How to Fill Roles From Within Your Team
- Hiring Mistakes to Avoid: Seven That Cost Small Businesses the Most
- Hiring Remote Workers: What a Small Business Needs to Get Right
- How Much Do Benefits Cost Per Employee?
- How to Create an Onboarding Plan for New Employees
- How to Do Payroll for Your Small Business
- How to Fill Out Form I-9 for a New Employee
- How to Find the Right Employee for Your Small Business
- How to Hire Bookkeeping Help: When, Who and What to Ask
- How to Hire Employees for Your Small Business
- How to Hire Freelancers for Your Small Business
- How to Hire Interns for Your Small Business
- How to Hire a Tax Preparer for Your Small Business Taxes
- How to Inclusively Hire People With Disabilities
- How to Write an Employee Handbook for a Small Business
- How to hire your first employee
- How to run payroll for your small business
- Part-Time Employee Benefits: What You Must Offer and What You Can
- SBA Military Reservist Loans: Covering a Key Employee's Call-Up
Frequently asked questions
What does a new hire really cost?
Wages plus payroll taxes, benefits, equipment and training time. Ask your accountant for the loaded figure.
Should my first hire be full time?
Not necessarily. Part-time or contract help can test demand before a full-time commitment.
Can I get funding for payroll?
Working capital can be used for payroll, among other things. ROI Funder reviews revenue, time in business and bank statements.