Our New Help Wanted Ad.

BMAN

Expanding paint company is looking for experienced Painters. Must have tools and transportation or don't respond. We are not your typical paint company. Random Drug testing. We work 8-5 no drama, no bed head. Our employees come to work to put in a good day and acheive high customer satisfaction. You must be willing to get dirty, climb high and do it with a smile.
We do 90% Residential 10% commercial. If you can't get along with co-workers or customers don't respond.


This is a copy of what I posted for a help wanted ad. I had a guy write me and say it was a ****ty way to try and find help. I wrote him back and asked him which one was he, the druggie, the drama queen or the guy who can't get out of bed?

RobertCDF

Did he respond? I am going to put a buck on the drama queen.

__________________
Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

That is straight to the point and weeds all the trash out/ I like it.

But if it were me responding to your ad for a job, I would tell you to go to hell while I smoke a crack in bed!!

__________________
Norman Sharp
http://www.sharpimprovements.com

Jason Whipple

Thats a little rough. You're probably not going to get any serious responses from that ad (maybe I'm wrong).

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Jason E Whipple, General Manager
Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

That's how they do it N.Y......

I might tell them that they will be paid well if they meet your needs. These are painters after all!!

__________________
Norman Sharp
http://www.sharpimprovements.com

Heritage

I like it

__________________
Toronto General Contractor-Renovation Blog-Contractor on Facebook-Renovation on twitter-Contractor Youtube

JustaFramer

Painters get paid more than carpenters.

Jason Whipple

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Jason E Whipple, General Manager
Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
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mdshunk

I think many people have thought about writing an ad like that, and thought better of it. If I was a responsible guy (meeting all your criteria), looking for painting work, I might take that ad as a huge red flag. I would think right away that you are a tough guy to work for, and I wouldn't apply. Things like that are best discussed during an interview, I believe.

Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

OK maybe we take a little NY out of it and add some mid-west

Our new help wanted ad.
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Expanding paint company is looking for experienced Painters. Must have tools and transportation in order to work. We are a great company to work for. Random Drug testing to make sure our employees and jobs are taken seiously. We work 8-5 upbeat, energetic. Our employees come to work to put in a good day and acheive high customer satisfaction. At times you will be required to get dirty and climb high.
We do 90% Residential 10% commercial. We are looking for people with good peopl's skills who get along with co-workers and customers. If not please don't respond.

__________________
Norman Sharp
http://www.sharpimprovements.com

WilsonRMDL

If i was looking for work as a painter and felt I wanted to be a part of a company who took their work seriously and I could be a valued worker there, I wouldnt hesitate to call on that ad. Like you said it will weed out all the bad workers, and the ones who do respond will most likely be serious about their work and excited to not have to deal with working around people who fit those descriptions.

__________________
Innovative Remodeling LLC
Licensed and Insured

trav007

I think showing that you are a tough person to work for is a good thing. If only others realized that a tough employer can only make the employee better at what they do....

__________________
Travis
www.customkreations.ca
"The most perfect technique is that which is not noticed at all"
-Pablo Casals

genecarp

i am in new york, i take a softer approach, the add is a little wordy for me, also as you know some of these nuts we have to deal with will tell you what you want to hear to get the job, we only know the truth after they start working,

DavidC

I like the idea of what your trying to accomplish with the ad, definitely prefer Norrrrm's edit, but probably wouldn't print either thinking more along the line of MDShunk's opinion.

Michael Stone's newsletter had an article on hiring ads recently. If you are a subscriber it's a free read. I haven't tried his approach yet but intend to test drive it for the coming season.

Basically a short concise ad like "Top dollar paid for experienced ________. Call (insert cell number)." When they call tell them you will give them a 30 sec. blurb describing the job and your expectations. You will not discuss wages on this call. You will ask them when your done if they can do this.

If they say they can do it then set an appointment the next day at a coffee shop for an interview.

If they ask how much the job pays, thank them for their time and let them go. Obviously they can't listen to instructions.

There is definitely more to it than a short post can cover but M. Stone reports that those who try it like it and have good results. Worth reading the article if your interested.

Good Luck
Dave

BMAN

Ok Norm I reposted your way! It says the same thing without being to blunt. Seriously though if you guys are not painters the quality of the people that come through the door is terrible. We are trying to buck that trend of the part time drunks who paint and don't finish cuz there is a lot of that in western NY. ANyway, I did have a half a dozen good responses to that ad already (the original one)

Putty Truck

Here's my dream ad:

Quality co. seeks quality workers. Top pay for top people. Weekly drug testing, background checks, clean d.l. Smokers need not apply. No hippies, dippies, or trippies.

Well, I can dream, right? When I was a 1st year, the only people who would take a chance with me were the roughest, gruffiest, s.o.b.s in the industry and they fired me. Nah, but our field don't attract many saints---never did, never will.

john elliott

That would be me let go, then. Prospective employers are not in a position to dictate instructions. Asking what the pay is is very similar to asking an HO what their budget is, it's an entirely reasonable question before time and trouble is invested in a meeting

John

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Ed the Roofer said "John too, in his crass and blunt demeanor.............."

DavidC

Based on the little bit of info provided I would be inclined to agree with you. There is more to it though. He's suggesting an alternative to the normal hiring process that supposedly weeds out some of the undesirable traits such as not listening to instructions.

On the other hand, a likely looking candidate is hired on the spot at the interview rather than going through a drawn out selection and approval process. Stone further suggests a double probation period, first 30 days to see if the newbie and your company are a good fit followed by (I think) 6 mos. to really get to know him and set the final pay scale.

Our experience has been will we hire 3-6 people before finding a true keeper. I'm thinking a different approach might give different results.

Good Luck
Dave

George Z

That ad is very negative.
This is your first contact with your possible new employee.
You are tough, you take no s--t
and obviously have had a whole bunch of problems before.

Good people will not work for you.
Stay positive, every new applicant has nothing to do with your past.

Just my honest opinion.

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Toronto Painters Commercial Painting Commercial Painting Toronto Toronto Office Painters
Painting Toronto Blog

HitchC&L

I like that ad alot, it shows that you arent looking for any old scum off the street, but it also shows that you care and are trying to provide a nice place to work for the employee...The first one seems like its too blunt and negative.

Good luck finding the right person, hope it all works out!

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Hitchcock Construction LLC
Building, Remodeling, Custom Design
Hitchcock Woodworking
Custom Cabinetry and Architectural Millwork