Hiring employees
Just kind of curious on everyone's thought as to what it takes to find good dedicated employees that will show up perform quality work and stick around ? We're located in Minnesotas twin cities area ...
Forum Discussion
I like to bring my candidates with me for a day and put them to work. I offer them a small amount of money and provide them a challenge. I like to see how they handle the anxiety of being in a new situation where they have to work through a problem to find a solution. Then I watch for the details.
How do they handle stress? How do they treat others? Are they positive? Will they speak to me and other like we are all doing our best? Do they clean up after themselves? Do they follow my direction or someone else's direction? Did they show up on time? How much are they on their phone?
Also I like to give them some flexibility to see how they handle it. I've had people jump on the opportunity to do nothing. I've had people leave all their lunch trash in my car. I've had people vape in customer's faces or open up a closed closet door and look at all the customer's stuff. 20 minute bathroom breaks and always answering calls and texts.
Working interviews are great. We all have to push the broom sometimes but we don't have to hate it. However, there are people who do try so hard but it's just not a good fit for them. Be aware that those people will be great somewhere else.
That's an excellent way to handle it - and get a true picture of how they will be.
I have always had a similar approach - but starting at initial contact. I find out who they are and about their basic background usually on a video meeting (camera on). I tell them very briefly what the position is (again as they have already read the ad or watched a video or both) and then I ask them if they have any questions about the position.
Next I ask them to tell me about themselves and their experience - and why they want the position I am offering.
Even though it is a common couple of questions - I still like to get their response to what is their greatest strength and what is their greatest weakness.
Once I decide to move forward - then I do my due diligence and that means thorough background investigations on everybody, MVR, and drug test. I also conduct a criminal records check - and check all social media. Whether employers realize it or not - the employer is hugely liable for the conduct of their people. That means potential legal issues if they are NOT checked out and they harm someone.
After all that - they meet for a formal orientation that lasts at least one full day. They are given WRITTEN policies and procedures for which they sign a receipt. These thing are also gone over with them verbally. They are asked if they have any issues with anything that is being asked or required.
Then they go out under instruction as a Trainee for a period of time. They get to watch and learn our ways of doing things, then they do those things under direct supervision (the same process I have used in multiple industries and positions and I am now using as I build my home services business too).
If there are any problems we deal with them openly and honestly and immediately.
Technical problems can be fixed - attitudes can not. We proceed accordingly. Everything they do is noted and so long as they have the right attitude and mindset, we get their skills up to a level they can do the job effectively on their own as they learn.
We also make it clear that continuous training and skills development while always working to become better is part of our culture and is a mandatory requirement. Recognition and rewards for superior performance are as well - and this has served me very well for many years in all that I have done.
Good people are the difference - and that always begins with the company itself, how it views, attracts, screens, onboards, trains, rewards and retains people.
I like your way of assessing them in the field and noting how they act, treat people and treat you. If they leave trach in your vehicle then its obvious they are going to do such things and anger your customers too.
