Hiring-readiness checklist
Prepare a clear, consistent, and professional hiring process before publishing an opportunity.
Define the need
- Document the business outcome this role or engagement should support.
- Confirm whether the work is best structured as employment or an independent engagement.
- Identify the decision-maker, budget, reporting relationship, and intended start date.
Build a clear opportunity
- Use a specific title and describe the responsibilities in plain language.
- Separate essential requirements from qualifications that can be learned.
- State the work location, arrangement, compensation, and expected schedule clearly.
Design the application
- Request only documents and information that are relevant to the opportunity.
- Use focused screening questions to evaluate essential requirements.
- Decide whether references are required at application or later in the process.
Prepare a consistent selection process
- Create evaluation criteria before reviewing applications.
- Ask comparable, role-relevant questions across candidates.
- Document decisions, next steps, and applicant communications consistently.
Plan the first weeks
- Prepare the agreement, policies, access, tools, and required documentation.
- Assign an onboarding contact and schedule early check-ins.
- Define initial priorities and how successful performance will be assessed.