When growing your business calls for recruiting help, you'll want to find the right person. The search is an important process. Begin by asking yourself what you need and what you expect. Make a list, considering:

Then, rough out a job description. Include details about their tasks and responsibilities.
 

If you have a lot to teach someone - and time to guide them - an internship could be the way to go. If you need them to be more independent, an employee would be the better choice. Simply put: an intern is a person you train and the experience is intended to benefit that person. An employee is someone you hire with the understanding that they are already qualified for the position.

If you have decided an intern is the best choice, look at the next article for ways to connect with potential candidates.

It's also important to be aware of labor regulations; you'll want to know how to compensate and protect your helper. Resources from the Wage and Hour Division are thorough, but can be difficult to digest. You can start with this overview: the Human Resources Kit for Dummies Cheat Sheet.

 

Stephen Proctor is a ceramic artist - a medium rooted in the craft world. But the objects he creates tend more toward fine art, and Steve is taking strides to rebrand his work. He is positioning his creations as art rather than décor for the home and garden as he has done in the past.

Steve has worked with both employees and interns. He offers this advice: "In preparing to hire an employee, engage a bookkeeper to anticipate the full costs of hiring others and to handle payroll and reporting on an ongoing basis. Be clear-eyed about what an intern can contribute to the studio and business. Providing internships can be a gratifying way of giving back to the community, but they require more attention than a seasoned employee - both in terms of skill development and accountability."