As the primary person running a small creative agency, you’ll come to a point when you know it’s time to time to hire an artist.
Whether that person designs websites, logos, or is a storyboard artist, a creative agency needs to expand the team as they grow.
Is it time to hire an artist? Here’s a step-by-step guide to hiring someone who fits with your company, and who will thrive as a member of your team.
Time to Hire: How to Hire the Right Person
Start by creating a profile of your dream employee. What are their skills? How about their level of education?
What do you want to see included in their portfolio?
Does the candidate need links to web pages, advertising campaigns, or video highlighting their expertise?
Make sure to give them plenty of ways to show off their creativity.
Craft a Compelling Job Description
If you’re planning to hire employees online, then a compelling job description serves a dual purpose. Not only does it entice the candidate, but it’s also written with SEO in mind.
First, research your competitor’s job posts. Then, make a list of keywords and phrases. These are terms that candidates search for when they’re looking for work.
Next, create an outline.
Now fill it in and compose the first draft. As you’re writing the first draft, pay attention to tone, and try to reflect the brand’s voice: fun, educated, or friendly, for example. You can also hire a writing agency to write up your job description.
Now get down to details.
Anatomy of a job post:
- A catchy post title that includes the job position
- A short summary of the job
- Company overview
- Location
- Education, skills, and experience required
- Duties
- Performance standards
- Supervisor and department information
- Salary range
Advertise on the Right Platform
Once you have the final draft of the job description, it’s time to advertise on a platform that caters to creative industries.
You can advertise on Craigslist or Indeed—however, LinkedIn is an excellent choice for technical artists such as web designers and presentation artists.
If you advertise on LinkedIn, you have the advantage of being able to check a candidate’s profile for awards, a portfolio of work, links to other work, and more.
You can also see who they’ve worked with, and note if you have any connections in common.
Try Advertising on a Niche Job Site
Many creatives use a niche site such as MediaBistro to search for jobs. A specialty site like this is an excellent place to post when it’s time to hire an artist.
The site caters to media professionals in creative and design, marketing and communications, writing and editing, and more.
Hired!
Once you’ve hired the right person, use a secure system like Paystub Creator to ensure you’ve filled out their W2 correctly. You can also use the 1099 Misc form for any freelance artists you want to add to the team.
Let’s Put Up the “We’re Hiring” Sign
Whether you’re hanging the sign in the window or “the sign” is a metaphor, and you’re posting online when it’s time to hire—follow these steps—and you’ll find the right employee.
Do you have a favorite site that you use when it’s time to hire? Let us know in the comments below.
