Making your first hire(s) is a big step, and you don't need a fully built-out HR function to get it right. If you're still figuring out how to post a role, find the right candidate, or make a competitive offer, this session is for you.

We'll walk through the real decisions that early-stage hiring requires: defining the role, navigating employee vs. contractor classification, sourcing and evaluating talent, and setting pay that's both competitive and equitable. We'll also cover what trends, like AI and evolving workforce demands, actually mean for a small business making its first few hires (not just what's changing, but what to do about it).

Hiring doesn't end at the offer. Our experts will walk through everything that needs to happen next, from background checks to designing strong onboarding, payroll, and support systems that keep a new hire from falling through the cracks. You'll gain a clear, scalable foundation for building a hiring process that grows with you.
 

• How to recognize the hiring trigger and know when it's time to bring on your first (or next) employee
• What to define before you post a role, so you're recruiting with clarity instead of guesswork
• How to find and evaluate candidates efficiently, even without a dedicated recruiting function
• How to navigate employee vs. contractor classification and make pay decisions that are competitive and equitable
• What current hiring trends like AI actually mean for a small business making early hires
• How to create a smooth handoff from offer to day one, connecting background checks, onboarding, payroll, and HR support
• Tools and resources that make the process more manageable as your team grows

Alexandra Jackson

Team Lead, Talent Acquisition, Justworks

Kathryn Ocampo-Smith

Team Lead, Talent Acquisition, Justworks