Business owners where are you finding your employees?

onanysunday

onanysunday

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So we are looking for an automotive machinist for our shop. We have run ads on indeed and ZipRecruiter and I believe a couple other areas. I know this is a dying breed finding people that work with their hands but it has been difficult trying to find a replacement automotive machinist. Any input would be appreciated where to run ads to look for someone.

 
onanysunday said:
So we are looking for an automotive machinist for our shop. We have run ads on indeed and ZipRecruiter and I believe a couple other areas. I know this is a dying breed finding people that work with their hands but it has been difficult trying to find a replacement automotive machinist. Any input would be appreciated where to run ads to look for someone.
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I've seen a lot of shops post their hiring on their socials- IG, FB, etc.  Don't know how successful they are but I've seen it happen more often.

 
I placed an ad on craigslist for a cnc router operator and actually got about 6 responses, and at least 3 of them were pretty good.  I wound up hiring one of them and so far, 2 weeks in we are good. Had experience and has a good attitude.  We will see in the next 30 days, but so far I am pretty pleased with the results.

 
onanysunday said:
So we are looking for an automotive machinist for our shop. We have run ads on indeed and ZipRecruiter and I believe a couple other areas. I know this is a dying breed finding people that work with their hands but it has been difficult trying to find a replacement automotive machinist. Any input would be appreciated where to run ads to look for someone.
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Try calling the schools that offer tech programs in your area and ask for the recruiting department...most community colleges have 2-year programs....you might not get experienced people, but hopefully motivated?

 
They seem to find me.  Most guys i have have come from other shops. Most guys I've lost have gone to other shops but these were moves to Florida for a better life.  For me it how to keep them.

 
I get my guys from local school and Craigslist lately. Indeed was too many non skilled people for my industry. And still want top pay for knowing nothing. Good luck with your search.

 
I've had several drivers work for me over the years. Two years ago I realized the best employee I could find was living in my house. Known him for 19 years, trainable, already on my medical and car insurance, needs a roof over his head,  kinda scared of me. Been pretty good so far.

Seriously, I'd hate to have to hire someone for my business right now. Good luck man.

 
We do indeed, craigslist, ziprecruiter, owners friends kids, same result. They think they can come and go as they please and cant seem to retain anything you teach them and take zero pride in their work

 
Thanks everyone. I have 150 plus ads always running on CL. Never thought of a job ad there. Just placed one. We will see. 

 
Always tried to take really good care of my employees, word of mouth through them, family and friends was by far the best way to acquire new talent. Hired off of craigslist as well, always seem to come with baggage whether hidden or not. Just my experience... 

 
I’ve been hiring kids (early 20s) and training them up. Most work out…

Some not so much. 

I tell them the kind of working environment we have (act like an adult, get your job done, no one bothers you about leaving 20 minutes early) and see if their eyes light up, or that look away and ask stupid questions. I ask them open ended questions and see how  they answer. Attitude seems to matter more than training these days if you’re willing to invest some time. Get a lot of word of mouth references as a result. 

Late 20s to early 30s: fawk that. Ask too many questions about work/life balance and if there are promotions…

Trier Indeed and others. Generally worthless unless you’re looking for something that’s a dime a dozen.

 
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I got nothing, For the last 2 years I have been trying to hire some simple Bld maintenance mechanics, we are paying with benefits over 110K starting out, I cant get sh**. I got tired of looking and just hired a few that I thought would get along with the other guys, what a pain in the ass.  

 
wesinls said:
Try calling the schools that offer tech programs in your area and ask for the recruiting department...most community colleges have 2-year programs....you might not get experienced people, but hopefully motivated?
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We placed ads with all the tech schools, job boards with the JC's, and the like in the Phoenix area.

Not one single applicant.  Entry level mechanical assembly.  Centrally located, reasonable schedule flexibility, decent pay...  Not one!, 

 
Rockwood said:
I’ve been hiring kids (early 20s) and training them up. Most work out…

Some not so much. 

I tell them the kind of working environment we have (act like an adult, get your job done, no one bothers you about leaving 20 minutes early) and see if their eyes light up, or that look away and ask stupid questions. I ask them open ended questions and see how  they answer. Attitude seems to matter more than training these days if you’re willing to invest some time. Get a lot of word of mouth references as a result. 

Late 20s to early 30s: fawk that. Ask too many questions about work/life balance and if there are promotions…

Trier Indeed and others. Generally worthless unless you’re looking for something that’s a dime a dozen.
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funny you say that, i was at a trade show yesterday and was talking to a vendor friend of mine and he said I can take a kid out of highschool and train him to do my job (owner of the company) in 15 years or less with no experience, as long as he's not an a&&hole. I know i can do it, but I haven't found one yet that doesn't think he's owed everything to start and won't treat my customers like chit at some point. He's still on the look out lol. 

He said Im going to start poaching people from stores that aren't my customers. I'm going to hit them heavy and go after some of their best in store people and hire them away.

 
i also have a friend who owns a body shop, recently upgraded and moved to a much larger shop, but this one has full a/c, so the techs can work in a/c most all day. he said it will cost him, but he will be able to retain and attract better and top talent and he has. sometimes its the little things

 
zilla68 said:
funny you say that, i was at a trade show yesterday and was talking to a vendor friend of mine and he said I can take a kid out of highschool and train him to do my job (owner of the company) in 15 years or less with no experience, as long as he's not an a&&hole. I know i can do it, but I haven't found one yet that doesn't think he's owed everything to start and won't treat my customers like chit at some point. He's still on the look out lol. 

He said Im going to start poaching people from stores that aren't my customers. I'm going to hit them heavy and go after some of their best in store people and hire them away.
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Poaching is what we do to get quality employees.  We look for the top guys and entice them to leave. The labor work force is weak out there, its full of the "Millennial" entitled with no work ethic.  I do get young 20 something apprentices, but 2 of 10 are keepers and have work ethic.  

 
Kraut_n_Rice said:
We placed ads with all the tech schools, job boards with the JC's, and the like in the Phoenix area.

Not one single applicant.  Entry level mechanical assembly.  Centrally located, reasonable schedule flexibility, decent pay...  Not one!, 
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That's sad.

 
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