Episode SummaryWe’re pleased to welcome Kristie M. Holmes, Owner of The HR Dept, to this week’s episode of Make Space for More!Melissa interviews Kristie about the steps business owners should take when hiring employees. They discussed the importance of job descriptions, screening candidates, and the onboarding process. Kristie emphasizes the need for transparency in the hiring process and recommends involving trusted colleagues during interviews. She also highlights the importance of having standard operating procedures, plus her recommendations around performance reviews, and much MUCH more. Key Highlights:Melissa’s team is made up of independent contractors, so she wanted to bring on an HR expert to educate her listeners around proper hiring policies and processes. Creating a clear and detailed job description is essential for hiring your first employee.Screening candidates should involve multiple interviews and checking references to ensure a good fit.Transparency in the hiring process, including discussing pay upfront, is important for attracting and retaining employees.Having standard operating procedures in place can help with training and ensure consistency in processes.Regular feedback and communication with employees is crucial for their development and success. Conduct performance reviews at least once a year, ideally every six months. Schedule weekly check-ins with new hires for the first 30 to 60 daysUse the “build, break, build sandwich” technique for giving critical feedbackDocument all necessary paperwork, including employee handbooks, with legal requirementsConsult with government agencies, insurance agents, and attorneys for guidanceConsider using payroll systems to ensure accurate and timely payment of employeesAbout Our Guest: The HR Dept is led by Kristie Holmes who has nearly 20 years of recruiting and Human Resources experience across a variety of industries. Ms. Holmes holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Memphis, as well as a Masters in Business Administration (Human Resources) from Bethel University. Her knowledge and vast skillset allow The HR Dept to offer a wide array of services designed specifically for the benefit of small businesses. Ms. Holmes believes focusing on relationship building and a personal touch achieves the best results.About Melissa: Melissa Swink, Founder & CEO of Melissa Swink & Co., has a team of virtual assistants who provide administrative and marketing support for small businesses and non-profits.Since 2012, Melissa and her team have helped more than 100 businesses grow through the services they offer, and she is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs create profitable, scalable businesses they love.Her work is all about doing what works (and eliminating what doesn’t) and driving real, measurable results. Visit www.melissaswink.com to learn more! Thanks for listening!If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!Subscribe to the podcastIf you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can...