As your business grows, you may find that you need some additional hands on deck to help out. Bringing part-time employees on board can be an excellent way for your business to continue to grow without the costs associated with adding full-time employees to your business.

For small businesses starting out, part-time positions can offer several advantages over having full-time staff. You can bring on new hires as needed based on seasonal demands and limit the number of employee benefits, such as health insurance or paid vacation time. State employment laws vary so be sure to check the employee benefit requirements for your state. Other perks include:

  • Greater flexibility during lulls
  • Increased applicant pool with a variety of skills
  • Reduced workload for you or other current employees

Hiring part-time employees can help you keep up with the growth of your business while being mindful of business expenses and budget needs. In this article, we'll go over several tips you can use to help you hire a great part-time employee.

The Importance of Finding Fitting Employees

Whether you have full- or part-timers on staff, employees have a big impact on the success of a business and are arguably one of the most important parts of running your business. For this reason, you want new employees who show the right skills and level of competence necessary for the role and those who are committed to doing what needs to be done each workweek.

It can feel like a huge undertaking to find the right part-time workers and it can take a little time, but with some guidance and tips, you can simplify the process and be on your way to hiring part-time employees who can help you bring your business to the next level.

6 Tips for Hiring Part-Time Employees

In the following sections, we'll go over six strategies you can incorporate into your hiring process. By the end, you will have a greater understanding of job descriptions, effective ways to advertise job postings, and qualities to look for in applicants.

Understand the Job Duties in Detail

To know what to look for in ideal job candidates, you need to know the job role inside and out. Let's say the part-time job is social media marketing for your business. What does this look like to you? What platforms are best for your industry? Will you need content for video? Is the applicant familiar with a variety of social media channels and content curation?

Maybe you're looking for a more administrative role to handle bookkeeping and day-to-day operations. What types of skills are needed to perform successfully? Is the candidate familiar with your accounting software? What types of operations are you comfortable handing over?

These are only examples but show the kinds of questions to ask yourself about what you are looking for in a part-time employee. Understanding the skills needed for the part-time position not only helps you develop a concise job description but can also attract employees with those qualities and let them know the expectations and job duties ahead of time.

Create a Clear and Descriptive Job Posting

Ambiguous job descriptions can set off red flags to job seekers and add confusion to what the job really is. Without a clear and descriptive job posting, it's difficult to attract qualified candidates.

There's no need to use catchy language or overused industry phrases. Use natural-flowing, concise language that describes the essential elements of the role. Avoid ambiguity and be transparent about required skills and responsibilities. Include a job title, the number of hours required each workweek, and a work schedule, if possible. Job seekers will appreciate your candor.

Advertise Your Job Posting in the Right Places

Now that you've drafted your job description, you need to put it out there. There are several ways you can do this and with relative ease. Let's go over some ways you can advertise your part-time work posting in the right places.

  • Social media: Do you have a LinkedIn account for your business? Post the job on your LinkedIn to reach people looking for work. You can also send the job to your network through LinkedIn's messaging system. One of the great perks of LinkedIn is that you can view profiles and resumes before reaching out to any candidates.
  • Job boards: Job boards are another popular option for employers. Many charge a fee to post jobs but you can find some for free (e.g., Craigslist). These may not offer the same benefits as paid platforms but can work well for some business owners.
  • Job bank: You can also advertise on your state's job bank. For example, in New York, you can visit the Department of Labor website and post job openings to increase your pool of applicants. Using smart technology, the system can match you with qualified candidates.

Find Candidates Through Employee Referrals

Employee referrals are an excellent way to find qualified candidates for your business. Just as the name implies, employee referrals are when people in your organization recommend the perfect person for the job.

When a colleague hears that you are hiring part-time employees to help in your business, they may know someone who is a great fit. Since you have a working relationship with this person already, there is a level of assurance and trust. And since your network has a sense of your personality and business culture, they are better equipped to recommend someone who can make a seamless fit.

Look for Qualities That Show a Candidate Can Be Successful in the Role

Successful job candidates possess both hard and soft skills. Hard skills pertain to the capabilities of doing the specific job task. These are typically taught and are easy to see and measure, like the ease of using a computer software program or reading and writing. Soft skills are personal traits that people just naturally have but can also sometimes be learned. These include interpersonal skills like communication, creativity, problem-solving, and leadership qualities.

While it may seem like the ideal candidate is one who brings the most hard skills, don't underestimate the value of soft skills during the hiring process. If someone can't listen, collaborate, or use innovation, they may have difficulty addressing everyday problems that may arise.

A great candidate has the right blend of hard and soft skills. This balance of skills can help your business run smoothly and continue to grow in the right direction.

Create a Work Environment That Naturally Attracts Good Candidates

Just as employers carefully review applicants, job seekers research employers' reputations and culture — often before applying. Job seekers want to work for a company aligned with their values and offering a positive work environment. While employee benefits, competitive pay, and other perks offer appeal in the short term, they are often not enough alone.

A positive work environment creates job satisfaction, increases engagement, and improves productivity. There's a strong correlation between a positive work culture and recruiting and maintaining talented candidates. Some ways you can create a work environment that attracts and maintains employees are to practice flexibility, offer new challenges to disrupt the mundane, connect with staff about professional goals, promote inclusivity, and provide a sense of accomplishment.

As a small business owner, you not only want to create a competitive work environment but one that also treats its workers fairly and follows the federal laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA establishes regulations pertaining to both part- and full-time workers and covers areas like minimum wage requirements and overtime pay. Each state has local labor laws concerning workers' rights. Visit the Department of Labor's website for your state to learn the labor standards where you live.

Easily Keep Track of Your Business Finances With Skynova

Expanding your staff as your business grows is exciting. With thought and planning, you can build a team to keep the momentum growing.

However, as your business grows, so will your day-to-day operations. Skynova's accounting software can help you track and manage income and expenses so that you can spend less time on paperwork and more time building your small business.

Notice to the Reader

The content within this article is meant to be used as general guidelines for recruiting and hiring employees and may not apply to your specific situation.