Employees

Dan_Watson said:

How did you find you 'best' employee? How long have they been with you?

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We were 8 years old and he was the pitcher on my little league team and I played shortstop, we were on the same team all the way up until high school then I got a job as a laborer making 10 bucks an hour out of high school 1984 and shortly after I got him a job. We've been working together ever since and sharing crews as well. We are both licensed California Contractors.

I found mine through a local Facebook help wanted group. 19 yr old kid that went through the building trades program at the high school. Have had him on board since July of last year. He's better than most everyone I've ever hired.

craigs list---he's been with me for 3 weeks....i dont have a negative thing to say about him he's so good...beyond my expectations

all other applicants were garbage...he's like finding a diamond in a dog turd(craigs list)

huggytree said:

craigs list---he's been with me for 3 weeks....i dont have a negative thing to say about him he's so good...beyond my expectations

all other applicants were garbage...he's like finding a diamond in a dog turd(craigs list)

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Until he reads this and asks for a raise :laughing:

How many guys did you interview?

A colleague found two good ones on craigslist after talking to about 50-100.

Never run adds. We've always had our guys recruit people they already know or they worked for my partners old business. Too much screening when you run adds. Just ask around people you know or other contractors, someone always knows someone looking. We don't steal others employees though, if they want to leave current job they need to call us. Our guys are very picky with guys they will recruit so they usually work out pretty well. One of our good young guys is the son of our foreman that has been with my partner 20+ years.

I've had three real gems in the last 40 years----

One was brought in as a 'warm body' on a large job---she was outstanding--she figured out what was going on and what was a priority---she stayed for 5 years--

The next one was brought in a a 'hand'---just the menial work---he spoke no English---
He finished up his drudge work quickly and efficiently and immediately stepped in to help the worker in the position above his---soon he was better at that task than the one he was helping---

He was with me for about 15 years---soon enough he was a manager.
It turns out he was an honor roll student---and was studying engineering in college---ran out of college money and emigrated to the USA

My current assistant is one of those gems----he was recommended by a pro painter friend----he's been with me about 10 years---