Need some new employees- Asheville area

While I get the direction the thread has turned, Ill offer a totally different perspective.
Lats August we had to add 2 new outside reps.

I dont like out of work retreads. Typically experienced guys are harder to teach and if they were great they wouldnt be out of work. Now Ive poached a rockstar before but thats different.

Anyway upper management won on one of my two hires. We hired a guy who worked for CAT for 30 years. 5 time national salesman of the year and a really good guy. On month 9 he is about to go on an action plan. Isnt moving the needle.
In contrast I figuratively jumped on the table for a "kid" with no experience. He was 25, was very smart and very driven. He knew jack shit about our industry. Hell he couldnt even use some of the basic tools of the industry but he wanted to learn.
I wont lie the kid drove me crazy for 90 days. He was like a Toddler.
"Why?"
"But Why?"
"Why is that?"
"Why do we do it that way?"
"Why not this way instead?"

We hired him at 50% of the vet. To date he is out selling him and I see a huge bright future.
My point is just that we all learn once.
I don't believe in broad brushing "All kids today are lazy"...some are.
A lot are actually.
But I know a lot of lazy old dudes too.

Now if a guy claims he has experience and knows what he is doing and then doesnt, thats a death knell. He is unknowledgeable and untrainable. But when a dude says "I dont know but Id like to learn from you"...by all means lets go.
 
This is why I stay a 1-man show. I have had a few guys that helped me some in the past, all were unreliable and wouldn't show up on time (and I am not talking long or early hours). I finally figured out my uncle well help when needed, is reliable, and I don't have to babysit him. One guy I had started working at advance auto, but played the scared of Covid card so he could sit at home and get a check. It amazes me how lazy people are.
 
Driver shortage will get worse. I have two great drivers right now. I tell them every week how awesome it is to work with them. On a side note we won our primary lane back this bid round. I'm looking at 8 loads of tires to move this week when I was barely moving 6. GL Jody.
 
XJsavage said:
Precisely. About all we can do is really just take their word for it and hope for the best.
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Not necessarily.

Have 8 sticks cut that are 4 sets of slights different lengths.
Tell them to pick any 4 and weld up a frame that is a perfect rectangle.
 
RatLabGuy said:
Not necessarily.

Have 8 sticks cut that are 4 sets of slights different lengths.
Tell them to pick any 4 and weld up a frame that is a perfect rectangle.
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Actually having someone walk in the door that could build anything rectangular shaped to be (close to) perfectly square would be heaven sent. Of all things we do, that is one of the most crucial things especially when building custom gates, band towers, canopies, and frankly anything structural. It can take some years to perfect it.
 
obullfish said:
Tell the boss to have some random shapes of material and a tape measure included in the interview process. Make it the first step in the interview and if they can measure correctly then proceed with the interview and if not the interview is over.
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Done this before. And for the know it all that can weld dicks on snowmen type: Where's your hood, that's the print out. Weld it together.

Comical results all around equals a "next".
 
We are fortunate and have been able to find and keep good help at the store and on the consulting side. We pay a premium and treat our folks well , so that helps. What we do need is someone who really knows hardware , plumbing and electrical and that is a difficult slot to fill.
 
shocker998md said:
Whenever I read about situations like this it blows my mind. I'll be retiring from the Marines this time next year and will be continuing on working for some side cash. I plan to work my schedule around my kids stuff since I wont be gone all the time.
People suck at simple stuff, show up to work on time, good lord.
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and no drama. Show up, do your job, get paid, go home.
 
Jody Treadway said:
and no drama. Show up, do your job, get paid, go home.
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Even in the small company where I work, this is an issue. We have an employee that always has personal drama going on, shows up late, spends most of the day on their phone, takes long lunches, leaves early a couple days a week, does a shitty job, and has a bad attitude. And when you only have a handful of people everyone else ends up carrying the load, which doesn't exactly help morale.


And before anyone chimes in, I know I could do better, but they keep tolerating it, so why change? :flipoff2:
 
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jeepinmatt said:
Even in the small company where I work, this is an issue. We have an employee that always has personal drama going on, shows up late, spends most of the day on their phone, takes long lunches, leaves early a couple days a week, does a shitty job, and has a bad attitude. And when you only have a handful of people everyone else ends up carrying the load, which doesn't exactly help morale.


And before anyone chimes in, I know I could do better, but they keep tolerating it, so why change? :flipoff2:
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Damn you! As I was reading that I was thinking that heā€™s talking about himself. You stole my thunder.
 
awheelterd said:
Sanderson farms in kinston (chicken plant) has so much trouble hiring that they have a no strings attached policy for rehires. Meaning, after 1 year, you can be rehired, no matter the reason for being let go the previous time. By the numbers, since they opened that plant, they have theoretically hired everyone in the city of Kinston twice..
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JD would fire them on Thur and they would come back on tues thru another temp service.
 
hunterdan said:
My advice would be hire someone who is 50+ yrs old and pay them well. Give them a simple IQ test and ask them about any attempts at success through employers or on their own. Even if they failed they have initiative.
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If youre over 50 and looking for work you've either been laid off from a 20 plus years job,pulled your 30 years,retired and want something different to do or you're unemployable.Most 50+'ers that are worth a shit are working and not looking to change.
 
1-tonmudder said:
If youre over 50 and looking for work you've either been laid off from a 20 plus years job,pulled your 30 years,retired and want something different to do or you're unemployable.Most 50+'ers that are worth a shit are working and not looking to change.
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I see what your saying. Keep in mind there are many more reasons for a 50 year old to be looking for opportunities than your list.
My suggestion you quoted is just from my experience. 50 yr olds always seem to meet me on time for whatever reason I'm meeting them. Younger people in general show up late or not at all. When I sell or buy something a 50 + guy/gal knows how to ask and answer a question. Younger generation will ask does truck have salvage title? ...when my ad says clean title in my name no accidents. I think it's just laziness or inability to comprehend. Lastly a 50 ye old will say yes and no. Youth will say uhhh maybe.

Disclaimer; I know all younger people aren't guilty of the above. Just lots and lots of them.
 
Jody Treadway said:
Good thing about older applicants is a lesser likelihood of the dreaded drama.
I posted the position on social media yesterday and already have 2 applicants. Going to speak to each of them today and see what they're like.
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Remember aptitude. It's one of the initial things military checks. Physical/mental health, IQ/aptitude, love of country.
 
Jody Treadway said:
Good thing about older applicants is a lesser likelihood of the dreaded drama.
I posted the position on social media yesterday and already have 2 applicants. Going to speak to each of them today and see what they're like.
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Just so you know...I'm running late for our interview today. Also can I get an advance on my first paycheck?
 
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