People who work for you are key players in the success or failure of your business. Employees who deal with your customers and suppliers are your representatives, and their performance has a direct impact on your bottom line. Whether you're replacing an employee who's leaving or creating a new position, finding and hiring the right person is essential.

Recruiting employees can be time-consuming and difficult. However, a methodical and organized approach can limit the time you spend and maximize your chances of finding the right person for the job. This portion of the Employment Regulations guide provides guidance on the issues you'll face:

• Finding potential employees. A discussion of setting job requirements and employee qualifications, how to deal with industry and geographic issues, your staffing options, including hiring family members, how to create a competitive compensation and benefits package, publicizing your job opening, and avoiding discrimination when you advertise your job opening.
• Screening applicants. A discussion of screening application materials, using job application forms, interviewing candidates and taking notes during the screening and interview process, using skills testing and other pre-employment tests, notifying rejected applicants, checking references and credentials and doing background checks, and the risks of negligent hiring.
• Compliance information. Information to keep, records to preserve, and disclosure requirements for information gathered during the recruiting process.

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