Forum Discussion
Hiring the Right People!
Finding and Keeping Skilled Workers in the Trades Finding good help is tough, especially in the trades. What’s your approach to hiring people who not only have the skills, but also fit well with you...
These are great points, Conrad. I completely agree that hiring for attitude and fit is keyyy, especially when it comes to building a strong culture. Do you have any hiring questions/process in mind to identify candidates who are a good cultural fit within your business?
I've found that people who have a hobby or other interest outside of work tend to be a good fit for us because it shows they can stick at something.
Some of the questions we ask:
- How do you best learn? (Watching, reading, doing etc.)
- Do you like learning from bosses, coworkers, etc.?
- Questions/discussion around employment goals/experience.
- What is your biggest weakness? (speaks to self-awareness & trustworthiness).
- What would your previous bosses say your biggest weakness is?
- How often do you ask for feedback (how often were previous bosses on your case)?
- What is the biggest problem you've overcome in previous jobs? (Haven't used this one yet, but it has a lot to do with problem solving ability, responsibility, etc.)
It's also important to speak with references that candidates list. You know that these people are prone to saying good things, so it's more effective to avoid straight "yes/no" type questions. Instead ask things like "on a scale of 1-10 how likely would you be to hire this person again?" Anything below an 8 is generally a no go. It gives them an easy way to be more honest without saying bad things or being negative.
