Hiring new employees

[LoCo86]

When hiring new employees what approach do you take? Such as: What questions do you feel are important to ask? Do you drug test? Do you field test them to see where their skill level is at? And so forth.

 

[Mid TN Lawn]

When hiring new employees what approach do you take? Such as: What questions do you feel are important to ask? Do you drug test? Do you field test them to see where their skill level is at? And so forth.

Hire under 30 day probation period, in there hiring packet include page that states we randomly drug test. Ask if they have a family and socially drink, i stay away from drinkers. Employees with family responsibilitys are much more reliable. Ask them if they see themselves doing this kind of work in 5 years. Have them sign a non competion agreement if your state allows. Use your instincts and if they dont work out start over. There are good workers out there that speak enough english to communicate with. I will say pay 1.00 more than most you get better workers i start everyone at 9.00 min

 

[Carscw]

First thing I do is look at their Facebook page it will tell you what kind of person they are. If they make it passed that I have them come out to a job and talk to them for about 30 mins.
Things that I will not hire them for.
Dressing like a bum ( baggy pants, shoes not tied, shirts or pants with holes )
Walking or standing with hands in pockets.
Throwing cig butts on the ground ( I smoke and put my butts in my pocket)

Must pass a drug test and background

I prefer that they have not done a lot of lawn care that way I can train them my way. First 30 days $9.00 a hour then jump up to $11.00 I pay for shirts and gloves.

Phones stay in the truck
If I see you start a mower and not check the oil you pay me $5.00
If your late or miss a day without calling me your gone. If your late two days in one week your gone.
If after the first 30 days you can not do a yard on your own your gone.

 

[dude]

It sounds dangerous to put butts in you pocket

It can be a safety hazard

 

[combatcarl]

Recruit veterans. Most work harder than anybody else, and know how to drink and still show up sober. (You don't hire social drinkers? Ridiculous) The butts in the pocket is second nature to us. We're used to a uniform, and know how to do things somebody else's way. However, $9 an hour won't last long. Unless they're in college. No drugs is something we're used to. Anything else?

If you snoop folks Facebook pages, you're silly. Check mine out. Has zero bearing on my work life or ethic. If you can glean enough info to tell anything about me. Hands in pockets? I've got one that's got some damage. It gets cold. If it ain't in use, it goes in a pocket in cold weather. I couldn't care how somebody dresses outside of work. State you have a dress code.

 

[Mid TN Lawn]

Recruit veterans. Most work harder than anybody else, and know how to drink and still show up sober. (You don't hire social drinkers? Ridiculous) The butts in the pocket is second nature to us. We're used to a uniform, and know how to do things somebody else's way. However, $9 an hour won't last long. Unless they're in college. No drugs is something we're used to. Anything else? If you snoop folks Facebook pages, you're silly. Check mine out. Has zero bearing on my work life or ethic. If you can glean enough info to tell anything about me. Hands in pockets? I've got one that's got some damage. It gets cold. If it ain't in use, it goes in a pocket in cold weather. I couldn't care how somebody dresses outside of work. State you have a dress code.

In Nashville,Tennessee 9.00 an hour is a above average starting pay wages have taken major drop backward in last 12 months you will have highly educated people apply even at 8.00 here. Sad but just how it is now.

 

[exotion]

Min wage here is nearly 10 an hr

My old boss does a phone interview then checks your references then person to person interview random drug tests at least once every month or two . When he hires you he does a one day trial period working with him if you pass that you on a 90 trial period with the crews he starts 10 cents over min after 90 days he gives u a 1 dollar raise he had crazy standards of appearance and doesn't allow smoking at or near job sites no customer should ever see or smell smoke on you or truck. Cloths well fitting and clean and up to osha standards steel toe shoes year round he catches you without he sends you home and may not invite you back. He won't hire someone who appears to not take care of themselves if they can't take care of themself how can he trust them to take care when he's not looking his hiring process I thought was insane untill I saw the results he had good people good clean business and people were.comfortable with us

 

[edd]

i do this part time but got to the point of either hiring a helper or giving up some yards.....found a man who is a college student to help me on saturdays....he had lawncare experience and knew his way around....hired him to weedeat but ended up letting him cut every third yard to give him a break from heat and humidity....worked out good this year...i was able to keep all yards and add some....paid him 10 dollars an hour.....works out to about 20 percent of revenue.....start at daylite on saturday and be through by 4......would have took me 2 days to do the same work by myself

 

[Hustling]

Min wage here is nearly 10 an hr

My old boss does a phone interview then checks your references then person to person interview random drug tests at least once every month or two . When he hires you he does a one day trial period working with him if you pass that you on a 90 trial period with the crews he starts 10 cents over min after 90 days he gives u a 1 dollar raise he had crazy standards of appearance and doesn't allow smoking at or near job sites no customer should ever see or smell smoke on you or truck. Cloths well fitting and clean and up to osha standards steel toe shoes year round he catches you without he sends you home and may not invite you back. He won't hire someone who appears to not take care of themselves if they can't take care of themself how can he trust them to take care when he's not looking his hiring process I thought was insane untill I saw the results he had good people good clean business and people were.comfortable with us

Your boss was smart. It doesn't cost him hardly anything to do those things and he could go after the high roller customers.... or CLIENTs you might even say:thumbsup:

 

[TaskForceLawnCare]

Min wage here is nearly 10 an hr My old boss does a phone interview then checks your references then person to person interview random drug tests at least once every month or two . When he hires you he does a one day trial period working with him if you pass that you on a 90 trial period with the crews he starts 10 cents over min after 90 days he gives u a 1 dollar raise he had crazy standards of appearance and doesn't allow smoking at or near job sites no customer should ever see or smell smoke on you or truck. Cloths well fitting and clean and up to osha standards steel toe shoes year round he catches you without he sends you home and may not invite you back. He won't hire someone who appears to not take care of themselves if they can't take care of themself how can he trust them to take care when he's not looking his hiring process I thought was insane untill I saw the results he had good people good clean business and people were.comfortable with us

Sounds like he spent some time in the military and brought some of that life to his business. Sounds a lot like how i run the show. It is good to know someone is still running a business with employee standards. I usually go through a couple college kids every year. My dad even quit working for me one day. I don't snoop their Facebook or anything. I'll ask them if they have a problem with being critiqued, taking orders and be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there. Keep a neat appearance, never let the customers see you not doing something. Obviously don't smoke around/in the trucks or customers houses. N