obvious first choice candidate. This applicant was currently employed as a farm manager a considerable distance from the farm, so Brian and Marlene invited him and his family to stay with them over a mutually suitable weekend. He was given a chance to participate in the running of the farm for the two days, and met with the other staff. This aspect of the process was as much an opportunity for the applicant to check out the farm as it was for the farm owners to assess the applicant. When the offer of employment was made, both parties were confident that they had a good chance of a successful match. Ensure that the successful candidate signs the letter of offer and a written contract before commencing work. This is important. If a contract is signed after the person has started working, it can later be argued that the some of the terms of the contract are invalid or that other terms apply because an unwritten contract was already in place when the person started work. Any legal judgments could be made on the basis of that original contract.