Need help BAD

[JoshAndrews]

What's the best way to find the best carpenters in my area in the shortest amount of time?

My brother, my right hand man, most dependable employee and favorite guy to work with just got a job offer from his inlaws for 15k more a year. I was already looking to add another Lead carpenter to our small business and haven't had any luck. This makes 1 to add and 1 to replace!

None of my threats about burning down his house and his inlaws' home or telling him how much he'll miss being a carpenter have worked on him. I guess I'll have to resort to civilized hiring tactics.

I'm interested to hear how some of you guys found good help in your area. Any input is greatly appreciated!

[Dancing Dan]

I've got 4 field employees. The 2 field guys who've been with me a long time both got fired by the same guy, several years apart, and both were recommended to me by my long-time lumber salesman.

Found the next field guy after an unsuccessful ad on Craigslist - got in touch with the professors at the local tech. college, one of them got back to me with one recommendation, we hired him. I'm now on that prof's advisory board.

Just started the last field guy a week ago. We had been asking around unsuccessfully for about 4 months, talked to a few people who didn't do much for me. Finally put another ad on Craigslist, something I'd vowed not to do, got a mixed bag of responses, with one stand out. We hired him, are very optimistic.

So I have no advice is the short answer. Talk to any one you can think of, esp. people like lumberyard reps who know the local scene well.

[tjbnwi]

Josh,

Letting us know where your located may help.

Tom

[JoshAndrews]

Knoxville, TN

I'm willing to pay someone up to 45k a year plus bonuses if they're good enough to get them.
They need to give me about 45 hours a week, 50 weeks a year for that.

Sounds like a super job to me but I'm probably biased since I'm the one offering it. What do you think? Don't forget, cost of living is lowest in the south...

Here's the add I posted on craigslist.

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/trd/2580552970.html

[Dancing Dan]

Let us know what the response is like.

[littlebluetruck]

Man, I've thought about taking a position like this for a long time. Tell us more about Knoxville.

[Overbuilders]

It's like Nashville without the 'K'. And Dolly Parton's boobs.

[vanderpooch]

Josh,

Even though I run my own business, I still look at the help wanted ads on Craigslist here. I like your ad a lot and would think about responding if I saw it here. I like that you have some company philosophy in there, and that you actually list the pay. Most of the ads here have TBD listed as the compensation, so I wouldn't even bother responding. By San Diego standards, the pay seems pretty low, but that doesn't necessarily compare. One thing I wish more people would do when running a help wanted ad is disclose the name of the company. I realize that probably gets you a flood of unwanted phone calls, but I want to check out a company before I call them, too.

Just a few random thoughts. I hope you get a good response. I really do like the ad.

- Kit

[seamingly seamless]

I wish I knew the answer.
My best solution has been ask the guys who I trust and work for me now...
When they give me a name and I then make a hire, they feel a part of the team.
And are more likely to want to make it work.
Its possible to build on good attitudes this way.

[Dancing Dan]

Good points, Kit - we always put wages in the ad just to head off that discussion, plus because it seems like the honest thing to do - it feels like you're jerking people around if not. We also make it clear that it's a real live job and not a sub position. And we used to anonymize but we don't anymore. I think it's the right thing to do, plus it makes it a little easier to weed people out if they didn't even bother to search out our website.

[Jim Baldwin]

A larger mill work company that I am familiar with runs a reoccurring "Help
Wanted" ad on WoodWeb and other places (identity confidential) . If they like the resume and the potential employee is out-of-state but willing to relocate, they bring the guy out for a week and put him up in a local motel. They also make a company car available.

After a few days or a week working for them, the company heads put their heads together and decide if they want to keep the guy or not. If not, they hand the guy a check and an airline ticket and drive him to the airport.

This is certainly not a cheap way of evaluating a potential employee but it's a method that works for them. I believe it's also more than fair for the worker since relocating to another state is a very big deal. Sometimes the only way of finding "just that right person" is to go through a few who are not.

[Loren97]

Sounds like a good ad. The little bit of experience that I have had with Craigslist is that you get a ton of replies and may or may not find what you're looking for. I have been in and out of several companies in the last few years due to relocating prior to getting married, being laid off twice because of the economy and one or two that I just couldn't stand their practices(unorganized or hacks). Generally I have not had a problem finding work although this current round is taking longer than normal. I usually try to get a personal referral and I think that you should do this as much as you can for finding employees as well. You probably have a good network of people to talk to...sales reps, counter guys, sub's, even folks from church or the PTA/soccer games, put it on Facebook that you're looking for someone. Take the time to get to know the guy before you hire him...take him out for lunch, do at least two interviews and maybe even have him come out to work with you for a day. Ask him to show you some pictures of some of his work, make up a test to see if he actually knows what he claims to know, ask him to build something. Find out about his personal life, hobbies, family, etc...that will give you a good feel for his character. Check out his vehicle, see how he keeps his tools, what shape they're in. And finally, be patient. Good luck!

[JoshAndrews]

I wish I knew the answer.
My best solution has been ask the guys who I trust and work for me now...
When they give me a name and I then make a hire, they feel a part of the team.
And are more likely to want to make it work.
Its possible to build on good attitudes this way.

Great point, I like it when I can include my guys in feeling a sense of ownership.

[JoshAndrews]

Super input, thanks a lot guys. My biggest fear is thinking I have the right guy and it not working out (because it's not the right guy) a few months or a year down the road and wishing I hadn't pulled him from the situation that he was previously involved with (closing that door in his life). I take it very seriously when someone is willing to commit 40-45 hours a week to working with us and organizing their life around our company. I do think we offer a great opportunity (relatively speaking) and that guys that enjoy carpentry will really enjoy this position. I've had a dozen different guys work for me in the past, I'm just getting more serious about trying to find people that want to stay for the long haul. I'm working through these personal issues though... lol

[m beezo]

Josh, I know you said Knoxville is a good place to live and has a low cost of living. The wages do seem low to me for what you are asking. At least on the low end-$12 an hour. I pay and maybe it is too much, but pay my day help who are just hauling out trash, carrying in drywall, maybe helping hang some drywall and a few other tasks $12 an hour. I know it is a different market but beginning pay at the local hamburger stands is around $8.50 an hour and that will get you a high school kid who has no experience, maybe no vehicle and certainly no tools. You seem to be asking for a lot for the amount of money.
On the other hand I like the ad since it tells a good amount of what you are looking for. Not just the generic word carpenter but some specifics and a bit about your company. I would be interested in a job with you after I had read the ad.