Screening painters....quite depressing - Page 2 - Paint Talk

TJ Paint · 07-17-2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daArch

Just go to Home Depot when you pick up your paint in the morning and pick the guy who speaks the best English

was that being languagist?

vermontpainter · 07-17-2011, 06:55 PM

Mike

I don't care how busy you are. You HAVE to interview. It's irresponsible not to. Please change this approach.

NEPS.US · 07-17-2011, 07:04 PM

Set up a separate email account just for applicants. Mine is neps_employment@hotmail.com. Have all applicants reply with a RESUME to your email addy. This alone will weed out a large percentage of bozo's.

Review resume's.

Phone interview top prospects.

Set up a time (if you dont have a office do it at a local coffee shop) where you can sit down and interview possible candidates. Do not have them show up at your jobsite or at your house with out interviewing them in person first.

I usually have a working interview and hire on a temp condition for $xx.xx for the first two weeks depending on the position. If the person fits well with my company and has proven their worth I offer full time employment.

It doesnt matter how big or small you are, act like a professional company, expect the best and be willing to pay for the right person.

**Schmidt & Co.** · 07-17-2011, 07:10 PM

Chris just stole my thunder, as I hire the same way. I phone interview, then in-person interview at a coffee shop (Home office here). I ask them what they are looking to make, and start them off there. Then a one week on the job interview. If I don"t feel they are worth what I'm paying them after the one week, its on to the next one.

I also feel its important to SEE the individual before they get to the jobsite. After all, we work in peoples homes and apperances are important.

HouseOfColor · 07-17-2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEPS.US

Set up a separate email account just for applicants. Mine is neps_employment@hotmail.com. Have all applicants reply with a RESUME to your email addy. This alone will weed out a large percentage of bozo's.

Review resume's.

Phone interview top prospects.

Set up a time (if you dont have a office do it at a local coffee shop) where you can sit down and interview possible candidates. Do not have them show up at your jobsite or at your house with out interviewing them in person first.

I usually have a working interview and hire on a temp condition for $xx.xx for the first two weeks depending on the position. If the person fits well with my company and has proven their worth I offer full time employment.

It doesnt matter how big or small you are, act like a professional company, expect the best and be willing to pay for the right person.

I would thank you three times on this post if I could. Such a good idea.

Jason@API · 07-17-2011, 08:41 PM

Also keep in mind, with Mike's work load and what he is trying to accomplish, I tend to think he can be a bit strung out and stressed. To add criticism to his plate would definitely warrant his response. I suggest keeping remarks to educated suggestions. Help him out and don't criticize.

Bender · 07-17-2011, 08:56 PM

I'm not offended Mike

Hang in there buddy.
Whajado is from Chitown. Of course his comments are harsh (and a little too personal but thats to be expected from that part of the country)
If you read his other posts I think hes a sharp cat and wished he posted here more often.

CoatedInMatte · 07-18-2011, 02:48 PM

I use the free online classified sites like craigslist, and I've had mixed responses. Most of them are college kids looking for seasonal work, and I'll either get the hard-working types who try to do their best, or I'll get the type who show up late, hungover, and smelling like a house party. The trouble is that sometimes I'm so far behind I can't fire the lazy guys even when I really want to. It lowers the morale of the harder working kids.

I try to be as up-front and honest as I can be with the guys who respond to my ads though. I tell them I'll I start them out at $11.50. If they're working out really well after two weeks, they get $14.00 per hour. If they aren't working out.. well, I usually can't fire them (because I need the help!), but they don't get an increase in pay.

After the two weeks are over I pull them aside and tell them which category they are in. I also let them know if they'll be working for me during the busy season next year. Sometimes this motivates the guys who aren't very good, but more often, they start looking for other jobs. It's a good way to weed people out.

One Coat Coverage · 07-18-2011, 06:59 PM

Hire young with little to no experience, a padawan if you will.

Screw all these drunk, drugged out, theiving, so called experienced painters.

George Z · 07-18-2011, 09:13 PM

Mike, I think you can't see the forest from the trees.
We have all been there, you are busy and you are reacting to it.
What you need is a strategy, something along what NEPS is suggesting.
Recruiting should be an ongoing activity. More proactive than reactive.

Yes, it is difficult but there are great people out there. You need to attract them.
I don't think young people are a lost cause, neither are people in general.
Two of our job managers are 26 and 25, and we have a 24 year old running exteriors fast and with amazing quality.

Must have OWN transportion, be neat and clean cut and able to pass drug sreen and background check. This is ladder work, lots of prep and masking. Good with trim too. No flakes. I am very busy and cannot take phone calls, so send a text to ********* with your experience and desired wage and I will do my best to reply ASAP.

You ad shows lack of trust (the assumption that they will lie about transportation, be flakes, not pass a drug test etc)
It shows bitterness that you were burned once or twice.
They would be high end painters, jump through all these hoops
and you would have no time for them, just a quick text.
We all here may know your integrity and your dedication to this trade and business,
but it has to come across in your ads as well.
Hang in there, step back, make a plan. It just takes time.

WisePainter · 07-18-2011, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Coat Coverage

Screw all these drunk, drugged out, theiving, so called experienced painters.

Wow, breathe...yikes...

Wood, ask the paint stores if there have been any painters passing through. When I was looking for work that was a sure way for a great worker like me to be matched with a reputable company.

Heaven knows we need less burned out painting company owners hating painters.
One coat has that base coverrrrrrred...

**Schmidt & Co.** · 07-18-2011, 10:15 PM

^^^I'll take the drunk, drugged out theiving painters. Just as long as he's not a Dead Head!

^^^

Workaholic · 07-18-2011, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidt & Co.

^^^I'll take the drunk, drugged out theiving painters. Just as long as he's not a Dead Head!

^^^

Not me, I would rather have a smoker than a thief.

**Schmidt & Co.** · 07-18-2011, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Workaholic

Not me, I would rather have a smoker than a thief.

Your no fun tonight Sean.

**daArch** · 07-18-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidt & Co.

^^^I'll take the drunk, drugged out theiving painters. Just as long as he's not a Dead Head!

^^^

HEY, some of my best friends are Dead Heads.

Captain Trips Lives

I'd take a Dead Head over a head banger ANY day

shamrockbear · 07-18-2011, 11:38 PM

Hey thanks for this thread I can't find a good painter to save my life I have 3 good guys right now but I need more guys like 2 more I have had 3 no shows in 2 weeks and half the guys are looking for 15-25 hr which is not a good a starting point if they can't produce I'm not wasting 1000 bucks to find out in a week this painter no good. Any one know any one in chicago? I'm looking for a full-time guy 60hrs a week do you think $12hr to start is reasonable am I asking to much? Please anyone got some leads....

aaron61 · 07-19-2011, 07:31 AM

Check the boards at all your local paint stores

Woodland · 07-19-2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Coat Coverage

Hire young with little to no experience, a padawan if you will.

Thanks for all the replies. Trial and error is pretty much the story of my life. As for the inexperienced trainees? I tried that and the results were not good. I took the time to meet with a few guys yesterday, and have a 13 yr painter and a 3 yr painter starting this morning. That puts me at 3 employees which should do for now. With me being the only REAL painter on the job site it was next to impossible to get away during the day for any real amount of time. The high dollar guy who has plenty experience running work will now give me more free time to be away and continue soliciting and bidding work and focusing on growth. Craigslist is no longer free. Its $25 to post an ad which is not bad. I am going back to edit my ad this morning since I paid for it and will collect resumes for future hiring.

Woodland · 07-19-2011, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shamrockbear

Hey thanks for this thread I can't find a good painter to save my life I have 3 good guys right now but I need more guys like 2 more I have had 3 no shows in 2 weeks and half the guys are looking for 15-25 hr which is not a good a starting point if they can't produce I'm not wasting 1000 bucks to find out in a week this painter no good. Any one know any one in chicago? I'm looking for a full-time guy 60hrs a week do you think $12hr to start is reasonable am I asking to much? Please anyone got some leads....

Wages are a little lower around here. $25 would be hard to get even for me without working my way into a superintendant postion with a larger shop. Union scale is right around $20 in Portland. Im still learning but I am leaning towards it depends on the individual. I have a 3 yr guy starting at $12 and a 13 yr man starting at $15 who I will gladly pay the $18 (a fair for residential in the SW Wa area) he asked for if he works out.

RCP · 07-19-2011, 08:51 AM

Thanks for the update Mike, I hope it works out!