Recruiting your first employee is an exciting time for a business but it’s crucial you follow the correct steps and are well prepared. Set out below are the main stages involved in hiring a new member of staff: Determine the rate of pay and calculate how much you can afford to pay staff Ensure that you meet minimum wage rates Write a clear job description Advertise for the role on key job search sites and professional platforms such as LinkedIn Prepare well for the interview, knowing beforehand the questions you want to ask and always take notes. Make sure you’re familiar with discrimination law and ‘unconscious bias’ Check that the person is eligible to work in the UK Complete pre-employment checks Check if they need to be put into a workplace pension Provide a written statement of employment Ensure you are registered with HMRC as an employer