When to Hire in Private Practice & Tips for the Hiring Process
You might be a superhero business owner, but you are still a human. You simply cannot do it all. It may be time to hire your first (or next!) team member for your business. (This workshop will show you how!)
Getting the support you need is an act of self-care, but it can feel very scary and overwhelming at the same time. Hiring a team member is not easy! However hiring helps you focus on your zone of genius, prevent burnout, and decrease stress. Your business will thrive with the right people in the right roles. It’s worth the hard work.
In today’s blog, we’ll explore key considerations and tips for the hiring process.
Outsource Areas that Aren’t in Your Zone of Genius
One of the first signs that it’s time to hire is when you’re spending too much time on tasks that are outside your zone of genius.
Your zone of genius includes activities that you’re passionate about, are proficient in, and have the right skills to work productively. You do not want to spend time on business tasks that you dislike, aren’t productive, and aren’t efficient in completing.
Brain dump tasks and projects that you’re not good at, take too much of your time, and also brain dump everything you don’t like to do. Of course, you will not hire one person to take all of this from you AND it’s unrealistic to work in your zone of genius 100% of the time. But it’s the starting point for you to see where you need help and what hire will come first.
By delegating tasks that drain your energy or fall outside your expertise, you can focus on what you do best and drive your business forward.
Different Tasks You May Want to Outsource
It’s impossible to outsource everything in business. It’s always a balance between your budget and the return on investment.
Here are some potential tasks you may choose to outsource. This list includes both business and life!
- Client care
- Administrative work
- Marketing and social media
- Content creation
- Website management
- IT support
- Human resources
- SEO
- Graphic design
- Legal services
- Housecleaning
- Childcare
- Personal assistant services
- Home maintenance
Hire BEFORE Burnout
Waiting until you’re overwhelmed and burnt out before hiring is a common mistake.
The best time to hire is when you notice your workload consistently increasing and you’re struggling to keep up with demand. Proactive hiring allows for a smoother transition and ensures your business operations remain stable and efficient.
Read our blog about burnout to learn how you can recognize the early signs.
Embrace Change and Take Up Space
There’s a common pressure in business to play small and it’s normal to struggle with boundaries. It’s important that dietitians take up space in business and embrace the normal highs and lows of growing a business.
Remember, it’s okay to ask for help and bring others into your vision. Self-care and boundaries are essential in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Starting the Hiring Process
You will need to figure out how much money is available in your budget for hiring. Keep in mind the new hire should bring revenue into your business, either directly from their own work, or indirectly by allowing YOU space to make more money performing revenue-producing tasks. If the team member doesn’t directly or indirectly bring revenue into the business, you could also decide to pay for support from the money that you pay yourself.
There is no “right answer” on how to pay contractors/employees and there are many different ways that you can determine compensation: an hourly rate, a retainer rate each month dependent on expectations, or a salaried position. You may also want to consider whether or not you can offer any benefits, depending on the position. It’s also very common to start out hourly and grow a position into a bigger role on your team. As the business owner, you get to make those decisions based on what you need.
Create a Job Description
Create a job description for the role. This tip may start with you, the business owner! Take an insightful look at your schedule. What are you doing right now that you need the most help with? What are you doing that is in your zone of incompetence, therefore costing the company money? Chances are, someone else would LOVE these tasks! Create a job description that includes these responsibilities, but also the goals of the position and how it would impact the entire company.
Decide the Measurable Objectives for the Role
Decide the measurable objectives for the role. The goal of hiring is to build support for the business and can be increased revenue, saved time, or checking off something that just needs to get done.
Set some realistic goals to measure at specific times, such as a new Associate Dietitian should aim to see 8 new initial assessments within the first month of employment, and have 20 consistent clients within 3 months.
Decide on Some Key Legal Decisions
Decide on some key legal decisions. Some examples may include whether you’re hiring an employee vs a contractor, your budget/hours for the role, and how you will pay your team member.
Different states have different laws around Human Resources that are important to note. This may include a minimum amount for a salary position, and/or sick time offered.
Depending on your state and local laws, you may need to go through some extra hurdles too. I always recommend consulting an accountant or lawyer if you have any specific questions.
Get the Job Description Out There!
Get the job description out there! Whether it’s a URL or PDF, send it to everyone you know. Tell your friends, family, colleagues, and post to various Facebook groups and listservs.
The more visibility your job listing has, the better your chances of finding the right candidate.
You can share it on your website, in Facebook groups, on social media, with people you know, with colleagues – anywhere you feel comfortable sharing your job listing can help.
Conduct Interviews
Conduct interviews in a way that works for you. What are questions you need to ask potential candidates in an interview process? Do you want them to complete an exercise in front of you as part of the interview? How will you know this team member is a match for your company culture?
If you expect a large response to your job description, it may be helpful to set up some automatic workflows. You may decide to save any responses to a certain email folder, or create an interview “schedule” in your calendar scheduling software.
When to Hire Employees & Tips for the Hiring Process: The Takeaway
Remember, building a successful dietitian business is a journey of growth and support. Embrace the challenges, seek help, and invest in your vision to create a business that makes a meaningful impact.
Hiring the right team members not only lightens your load but also brings new skills and perspectives that can drive your business to new heights.
Sign up for this free workshop on how to hire your next team member!
Want to work with me to build your private practice?
Business School is a comprehensive 6-month program designed to guide you through every stage of building a private practice: getting set up, seeing your first clients, growing until you’re fully booked, hiring a team, expanding your offers—and even learning how to coast when needed. Inside, you’ll follow a step-by-step curriculum with the flexibility to choose the path that fits your current stage of business and life. You’ll get access to advanced toolkits, templates, and systems for business topics like marketing and finances, but also for counseling skills and client support. Beyond the curriculum, you’re supported by personalized 1:1 coaching, weekly office hours, and monthly themes that address the real challenges of private practice. The program keeps you moving forward with built-in accountability that builds resilience and confidence so you feel like a legit business owner. Learn more and apply here!
