careers available

Mac · #1 (**permalink**) 05-18-2008, 12:10 AM

Im needing yet another employee so I talked to my graphic's guy and this is what we came up with - what do you think? Im planning on putting these on my truck, enclosed trailer, dump trailer, and basically anywhere it could be seen. Does anyone else leave something like this on their vehicles permanently?

jwholden · #2 (**permalink**) 05-18-2008, 12:01 PM

Are you trying to communicate something about the type of job available by saying careers available?

PLC-Landscape · #3 (**permalink**) 05-18-2008, 05:24 PM

I don't like it....I know for me, I'm looking for a designer/estimator position, and I probably wouldn't call a number if I saw it on the back or a trailer, etc.... Maybe, if I was 19 and looking for summer work or something fast I'd possibly call... But if I was looking for a "career", I would look in the paper or go through an employment agency, or actually just walk into the office with my resume in hand. The sign doesn't tell me enough.... If it said """Landscape Designer Needed - Up to 70K - Call for Details"""..... Bam! - That's what I need to know... I'd call for more info.....

jshilan · #4 (**permalink**) 05-18-2008, 10:26 PM

I agree with PLC. There is a certain "cheesiness" factor that I don't think you want to portray to your clients. It also implies that you are "hard up" for workers

which will not instill much confidence to clients or perspective employees. No offense to your graphics guy but I would explore a new concept.

If you do have your heart set on this type of advertising, I definately would not make it permanent.

And that's all I've got to say about that.

Mac · #5 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 12:51 AM

JW, yes, I certainly am trying to say something with careers. Im hoping it attracts those with a different mindset than someone looking for a job or going where they are "now hiring". Any thoughts?

Jody and PLC, I do appreciate your insight. I didnt see it that way but can see where you are coming from.

jwholden · #6 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 02:52 PM

Mac,

You may want to ask some of your current help if they would be attracted to a sign on the side of a truck. If yes, what should the sign say to get their attention?

I believe you have a larger sized company, with a few crews and uniforms and the like. Your clients may give you some feedback on what they would think of a truck with a help wanted sign on the truck. If it relates to the fact that you are a growing company, not one with high turnover, I don't see it offending clients.

It can't hurt to try it on one truck or trailer. If your next great helper comes from the ad on the side of the truck that may be a sign.

Fine Edge · #7 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 11:53 PM

It's different.
And bright.
I don't know what to say.

Mac · #8 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 12:50 AM

FE - are your reactions positive or negative - I dont know how to interpret your comments.

JW, I appreciate the thoughts. This sign very much is because the company is growing, not at all because of turn over. I tend to think that most of my longest standing clients would be proud to see these signs as they can likely remember me as a young boy riding my bike to their house pulling the push mower laden with a trimmer and blower, even before I could drive.

Dont most of us still patronize businesses with help wanted signs in their windows? I know I do and imagine most people are the same way. I just wanted to say "help wanted" in a classy way, fitting with my brand message.

Fine Edge · #9 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 11:17 PM

Mac,
It's just that most of the time when I see or hear of "careers available", it's usually in a classified section, employment agency or on-line work placement site where I can read more into the career before I make my call.
The Employment Security Commission in my area will post job offerings for free for you.

I'm not saying it's real bad or real good, something just doesn't make the bright colors and the text come together for me.

Then again, will you really lose that much money if it doesn't work for a month or so?

HRLand · #10 (**permalink**) 05-22-2008, 07:56 AM

I tried something similar a few years back. I put magnetic help wanted signs on our maintenance truck. It didn't help at all.

sandim · #11 (**permalink**) 07-12-2008, 10:33 PM

Speaking of help wanted, I know that this is a problem we all face. Where do you all turn for good help? We can't seem to hold people for more than a season, if even that long. I think we're fair employers and pay well, we just seem to get the degenerate idiots that have no intelligence. We've tried the local extension centers as well as our local University and got no nibbles, we've been reduced to an ad in the paper. Thoughts?

PLC-Landscape · #12 (**permalink**) 07-13-2008, 12:25 AM

What type of help are you looking for? - If it's labor, ask the guys if they know anyone looking for full time work, then interview. If it's for a supervisor, account manager, or a designer try somewhere like monster.com, or any of the big career search engines, that should help in weeding out some of the lesser qualified candidates...

PLC-Landscape · #13 (**permalink**) 07-13-2008, 12:36 AM

I'm having the opposite problem. I'm looking for a company willing to pay for good help. I was offered a position for 58K with full benefits, but I didn't want to be a working foreman, so I counter offered with the position I wanted, and lost out. Account manager positions are far and few between. So I was honest with them and made the counter offer, and lost the opportunity. Knowing that, next time I'll just accept whatever is offered to me and leave when it comes time to snow plow or whatever it is, because being honest with the employer doesn't seem to always work.

Mac · #14 (**permalink**) 07-14-2008, 01:29 AM

Sandi, I used to fret over the quality of employees I was dealing with - in most cases attributing their shortcomings simply to their "apparent lack of intelligence". However, once I began to realize that this type of employee will be far more prevalent than not, I saw that it was my job as an employer/manager to make their jobs "idiot proof". I have certainly not perfected this yet, but am slowly tweaking my systems so that I get optimum results from any individual, not matter their intellect. No disrespect but a mentor once told me that people dont quit thier jobs, they quit their managers. Food for thought ;-)

sandim · #15 (**permalink**) 07-14-2008, 10:14 PM

Mac, absolutely no offense taken! I think it takes 2 to make it or break it. I refuse to take or give full credit for good or bad, it needs to be a blend. I think I'd even be happy with idiots that stay, but that seems to be challening. As we go on I think we're getting better (so so very far from good) at being employers. I think our screening is getting better and we're getting firmer, really establishing that line that we ARE the employers. Guess we'll learn. Hopefully sooner than better. Being new can be a real PIA sometimes but I guess we all start somewhere!
Good food for thought.