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Expansion is a positive sign in business. As a small business owner, you know you are growing when it’s time to add another employe to the mix. It’s important for employers to staff their business with the right people. Let’s look at finding the right person.

Resumes tell an employer where a potential candidate has been. The right qualifications are an asset, but qualifications alone doesn’t tell you how a person really works. Building an efficient work team goes beyond the résumé. That’s where to interview comes in.

Think about the qualifications you want your employee to poses. Sure, we know that people aren’t perfect. But each person has areas where they excel. Know what you expect of them, and lay it out for them during the interview. It’s a good idea to be clear on your expectations right from the start.

Ask the right questions during the interview. If they had remained with their former employer, what would their next step in the company? What type of work environment do they work best in? Questions like this are good ways to elicit an honest reaction. Making a list of questions to ask beforehand helps prepare you properly for the interview.

Certain questions are illegal to ask. Questions that involve gender, age, religion or ethnicity are off-limits. If you find the interview straying into these areas, simply refer back to your list of questions to get back on topic. Hiring an employee is not cheap. Sometimes it takes a while to find one who fits your business best.