Ready to Recruit: Hiring Your First Employee

Cost: Free

This event is part of Go Succeed, a support service from local councils in Northern Ireland that can help to start, grow or scale a business.

Thinking about hiring your first employee is an exciting step, but it can also feel like a big decision. Before taking someone on, it is important to understand what role your business needs, how to attract the right person, and what practical steps should be in place before they start.

This practical session is designed for small business owners, sole traders and early-stage entrepreneurs who are considering hiring for the first time and want to better understand what is involved.

Together, we will explore how to prepare for recruitment, write a clear job specification, advertise the role, prepare for interviews and get your business ready to welcome your first employee.

By the end of the session, you will have:

• a clearer understanding of what to consider before hiring your first employee
• ideas for writing a strong job specification and advert
• a better understanding of how to promote a role and attract suitable candidates
• practical tips for preparing for interviews
• an overview of contracts, policies and workplace preparations
• a simple checklist to help you decide your next steps

This session will take you through the key stages of preparing for your first hire, from working out what support your business needs to getting ready for your new employee’s first day.

We will look at how to shape the role, write a clear job specification, create an attractive advert and discuss where to promote the opportunity. You will also learn how to prepare for interviews, ask useful questions and approach the selection process in a fair and consistent way.

The session will cover some of the practical areas that first-time employers need to consider, including contracts, payroll, insurance, workplace setup, basic policies and preparing to welcome someone into the business.

We will also discuss how to make the recruitment process more accessible and inclusive, including being prepared for reasonable adjustments where needed.

Throughout the session, we will share practical examples, guided exercises, and simple checklists to help you approach your first hire with more confidence.

You will leave with a clearer understanding of what needs to be considered before hiring and the next actions you can take to prepare your business.

This Go Succeed workshop is open to all individuals in the early stages of their business, located in the Belfast City Council area and neighbouring Council areas.

Please note as this is an in-person event, the registration numbers are restricted. Whilst Go Succeed operates across NI, this event is being hosted by Belfast City Council therefore should the event reach capacity and a waiting list is created, priority access will be given to businesses based in that area.

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