See our guide on how to do this here (portal)
There are quite a few steps to do this.
Job Description
First, you will need to create a Job description. You can use our template for this .This will allow PAs know exactly what tasks they would be expected to do and what the job involves.
Advertising your job
Next you should create an advert. You can use our template.
When you have an advert ready, you will need to find different places to post it. You can ask your advisor to post this on Disability Positive’s Indeed page, which is a job website often used by people looking for a job.
You can also post this in your local community, on bulletin boards of shops, community centres, libraries, etc. You can also post it on NW-PA.org. This is a free service where you can post your advert after you have registered.
Some clients have found PAs through posting anonymously on social media pages.
You can also tell people that you are looking for a PA. Speak to friends, family, schools, colleges, day services, for example.
The interview
When you have application(s) for the role you have advertised, you should contact the candidates (the people who have applied) and invite them for interview.
You should always do this with someone else with you. This could be a friend, mediator or your advisor.
They will not be able to ask the questions on your behalf, but will able to take notes and be there for support.
The interview can be as formal or informal as you like. Make sure you hold the interview in a place in which you feel comfortable to do so.
This could be at home, or in a public space such as a café, library, etc. You can also use a room at our office in Northwich. Please contact your advisor if you would like to do this.
You should make a list of questions you want to ask. You can find a list of sample questions here although it is up to you what you want to ask. You could ask about what they are like as a person, their work experience, their qualifications and why they want to work for you.
It is also a good idea to think of a situation that might happen when they are working for you and ask them how they would deal with it.
Take a break between interviews and make some notes of the answers to your questions. This will help you to remember each candidate and make your decision about who to offer the job to.
After the interview
If you are not sure who to offer the job to, you don’t need to rush. You can sleep on it, or ask for more information, or even re-interview.
If you did not think that anyone was good enough, then you can re-advertise and interview different people.
If there is a candidate you would like to employ you should let them know that you would like to offer them the job, and provide them with a letter that confirms this.
You should also let unsuccessful candidates know.
Employment checks
Make sure you do all the right checks including:
- Getting references -+ References – template form
- Asking for evidence of their Right to work in the UK
- DBS checks – provider list (portal)
- Speaking to your Payroll provider and filling in any forms needed.
