Should your first hire be an employee or a contractor?

It’s time!  Time to build a team – and it’s a big step 

This first hire can be a tricky one – you’re busy, but still feeling the pressure of having to “make wages” for someone other than just you.  So, do you bring on an employee or a contractor? There are definitely pros and cons to both options - sorry - I know that doesn't help, but it's true!

You need to weigh up everything from cash flow to the skills you need to add to your business. If you've been travelling solo for a while, you might even find that you keep putting this step off, because it can be REALLY hard to let go of the control over everything you have right now.  Remember though, this can also be what is holding back the next growth stage of your business.  

I can't make the decision for you, but I can share a few things you should consider before deciding...

Here’s my 7-step checklist to help you make the right choice for your business. The answers to these questions should make the decision easier.

1. Determine your needs – seems logical right? Ask what kind of work do you need help with? How much time will this person be spending on the job? This will help you understand whether full time or part time hours are the way to go.
2. Think long term – Are you looking for someone to help you grow your business overtime, or do you need help with a specific project or task. If you want long term support, an employee might be the way to go.
3. Assess your budget – Hiring employees can be more expensive than hiring contractors, as you’ll need to provide things like leave, superannuation etc. Make sure your budget can support these additional costs before committing to the hire.
4. Be honest about your leadership / management style – Are you comfortable managing and training staff, or would you rather work with a contractor who is more self-sufficient?
5. Think about how you work with control – Do you need complete control over the work being done, or are you comfortable delegating tasks to a contractor?
6. Ask for advice – don’t be afraid to ask others who have done this before you! They may have valuable insights that can help you make the right choice for your business.

Of course – you can ask someone like me as well!  Grab my free guide from the download on the right hand side of this page.

Good luck and happy hiring (whichever option you choose)!