Best way to find first employee?

[chris_p]

Hi there, I set up a website design and development company in December 2006 in Northumberland - currently there is just me on the PAYE books, and I'm using a few freelancers around the country... I'm looking to expand and wondered if anyone had any advice on where the best place to look for first employees would be? I'm finding that my time is becoming scarcer and scarcer and could do with some sales staff to bring in the orders. Does anybody know of any websites where you can search CVs for free? What about newspaper job listings, do you think these would be good value (since they cost around a couple of hundred pounds to advertise)?

[Indizine]

Why not see if your nearest uni or college has a graduate scheme where you get a subsidy towards the salary or something similar by way of a scheme, that helps them and you? Perhaps someone studying marketing or something intrnet/web related who might be looking for a sales-oriented role?

The thing about web design sales is that to have someone with no web knowledge will be tough work on the phone with customers, thus clinching an appointment may prove difficult if they dont hold their water. It's not like selling an off the shelf product (unless that is what you sell, where the features & benefits can be memorised and repeated over and over). Hence getting someone reasonable qualified in that area can help.

[chris_p]

Thanks for your reply, yes that might be a good idea - there's a couple of Uni's to contact as well in Newcastle.

[profitxchange]

try the shell STEP programme for grad help. Alternatively, outsource the service you need. Overall it will be cheaper, and you should get the right/best expertise which you may not be able to afford as a ft recruit. You can also turn it on and off as you need it.

[MikeEarn]

What about getting a close friend as your first employee?