Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: paul13 on February 14, 2013, 08:37:38 pm

Title: Interviewing
Post by: paul13 on February 14, 2013, 08:37:38 pm
Looking to get a new member of staff, advertised on gumtree
got a massive response 12 coming in for an interview tomorrow,
doubt 12 will turn up but six have phoned to confirm so fingers crossed  :)

Was just wondering if anyone had any questions or tips regarding interviewing
First time I have done proper interviews have always just employed family, friends
or friends of friends before.
All advice appreciated.
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: landy2 on February 14, 2013, 09:11:28 pm
do you clean every window or bump them when you are not there  ???
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: Richard iSparkle on February 14, 2013, 09:14:24 pm
Looking to get a new member of staff, advertised on gumtree
got a massive response 12 coming in for an interview tomorrow,
doubt 12 will turn up but six have phoned to confirm so fingers crossed  :)

Was just wondering if anyone had any questions or tips regarding interviewing
First time I have done proper interviews have always just employed family, friends
or friends of friends before.
All advice appreciated.


ask for CVs before you interview and disregard anyone who's not held down their last job for over 12 months
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: robertphil on February 14, 2013, 09:19:39 pm
casually say "im feeling a bit ill,how are you/? "   if they reply, "im not so good as it happens" and then go on to tell you a minor medical problem,you should feign sympathy and if they then go on into more detail ,they are testing you to see if youre a sucker for a sob story .   this type is a professional lead-swinger and worse than useless when the going gets tuff

another question to ask is "do u smoke/?" , if they reply, "what,cigarettes/? "     they are dope smokers , avoid like the plague is good advice
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: paul13 on February 14, 2013, 09:23:38 pm
do you clean every window or bump them when you are not there  ???

Not sure what you mean? ???
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: Tom White on February 14, 2013, 09:23:45 pm
Ask them big wide open questions like:

"So tell me about yourself?"

And...

"Where do you see yourself in ten years?"  Then when they've waffled some, say, "And what about 20?"

If they're female, after the 10 year question, wink suggestively and say, "I can help you with that, Pet!"  (only use 'Pet' if you're a Geordie, otherwise it sounds weird).

HTH.
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: landy2 on February 14, 2013, 09:25:56 pm
i mean do they clean every window or leave them and say they have done them when lefed on there own to clean windows
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: keyser soze on February 14, 2013, 09:28:34 pm
Ask them big wide open questions like:

"So tell me about yourself?"

And...

"Where do you see yourself in ten years?"  Then when they've waffled some, say, "And what about 20?"

If they're female, after the 10 year question, wink suggestively and say, "I can help you with that, Pet!"  (only use 'Pet' if you're a Geordie, otherwise it sounds weird).

HTH.




 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: paul13 on February 14, 2013, 09:29:37 pm
ask for CVs before you interview and disregard anyone who's not held down their last job for over 12 months
[/quote]

I did got about 50 reply's to add over 10 days the 12 is form cv application
have went for mostly young guys between 16-23

Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: sean mcc on February 14, 2013, 09:30:17 pm
Have you ever thought of setting your own Window Cleaning round off?? ;D ;D
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: A@R WINDOWCLEANING on February 14, 2013, 09:31:53 pm
Have a quick chat you can usually sus hem out and ive actually taken them out to clean windows to see how quick they are ,if there experienced that is ,questions ive asked ,do u smoke ?,married? kids ?how long been doing window cleaning ,then get them on tools, youll know in 5 mins wether hes a keeper ,Good luck
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: Richard iSparkle on February 14, 2013, 09:36:21 pm
ask for CVs before you interview and disregard anyone who's not held down their last job for over 12 months

I did got about 50 reply's to add over 10 days the 12 is form cv application
have went for mostly young guys between 16-23


[/quote]

wouldnt touch anyone who's not worked before and personally wouldnt take on anyone under 25...  unless they had kids and were settled
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: paul13 on February 14, 2013, 09:38:10 pm
i mean do they clean every window or leave them and say they have done them when lefed on there own to clean windows

If I find out any of my employee's have missed windows intentionally that
would be there last shift have had many a numpty over the years had
one take a dump behind custy's hut ::)roll find employing a real struggle
find it hard not to take it personal but have two guys just now been
with me for years touch wood good guys.
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: Tom White on February 14, 2013, 09:50:26 pm
Are you punctual?

Have you ever worked in a service industry where you've dealt directly with clients?

Are you always clean shaven and well turned out for work?

Why do you want this job?

What are your sports and hobbies?

What is your living circumstances?  Are you married?  Do you have children?

Do you drive?

Have you a clean license?

Have you worked outdoors before?

Have you done manual labour before?

Are you fit and healthy?

Do you smoke?

How much do you drink?

Do you take illegal drugs?

I would also like to ask, but not sure of the legality, "Are you on any prescribed medication?"

Why did you leave your last job?
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: deeege on February 14, 2013, 09:59:31 pm
casually say "im feeling a bit ill,how are you/? "   if they reply, "im not so good as it happens" and then go on to tell you a minor medical problem,you should feign sympathy and if they then go on into more detail ,they are testing you to see if youre a sucker for a sob story .   this type is a professional lead-swinger and worse than useless when the going gets tuff

another question to ask is "do u smoke/?" , if they reply, "what,cigarettes/? "     they are dope smokers , avoid like the plague is good advice

This made me laugh.

I don't think he will be interviewing the type of people that will fall for that ie 6 year olds or people with an IQ of 27. :)
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: deeege on February 14, 2013, 10:10:10 pm

1. Have you ever been in a position of trust by someone giving you something to look after?
2. Give an example of when you worked as part of a team.
3. Give an example of when you had to work on your own initiative.
4. How would you deal with an customer who is not happy with the service they have received?
5. How do you keep yourself fit?
6. Give an example of when you worked to a deadline.
7. Have you ever done a repetitive job before and what did you do to make it easier?
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: Dani J on February 14, 2013, 10:29:54 pm

1. Have you ever been in a position of trust by someone giving you something to look after?
2. Give an example of when you worked as part of a team.
3. Give an example of when you had to work on your own initiative.
4. How would you deal with an customer who is not happy with the service they have received?
5. How do you keep yourself fit?
6. Give an example of when you worked to a deadline.
7. Have you ever done a repetitive job before and what did you do to make it easier?

Like Like  :)
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: CLEANCARE WC on February 14, 2013, 10:39:36 pm

1. Have you ever been in a position of trust by someone giving you something to look after?
2. Give an example of when you worked as part of a team.
3. Give an example of when you had to work on your own initiative.
4. How would you deal with an customer who is not happy with the service they have received?
5. How do you keep yourself fit?
6. Give an example of when you worked to a deadline.
7. Have you ever done a repetitive job before and what did you do to make it easier?

nice deege  ;)
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: britishwill on February 14, 2013, 10:47:49 pm
Deeege great questions mate
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on February 14, 2013, 10:56:50 pm
Can you clean windows???
Can you communicate ???
Can you drive ???
Are you a recovering alcki ???
Do you use recreational drugs???
Handle money conduct yourself
As the face of my business be trusted
Not av a tattooed face multiple
Facial piercings
Or any other freakish behaviour
I shud know about if you are to fail
Any over the above call Dean Taberner
As he as a bus to clean every day lol
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: rosskesava on February 15, 2013, 12:44:02 am
Forget all the questions about this that and the other. It's like CV's. All bull **** and flowery words and all that.

Just chat to the person in front of you and go by what you feel about them. Of course, ask a few basic questions and don't judge the answer too much as people at interviews can be very different to people when they're actually working.

Just go by instinct.
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: scud on February 15, 2013, 02:59:56 am
  Find out if they have a mortgage. If not do not employ.

  Having interviewed and employed 100's of people in a previous "life", a married man in their 30's, with a mortgage and kids is your best bet. You can nearly gaurantee them turning up on a Monday morning.
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: robertphil on February 15, 2013, 04:48:54 am
pretend to be doin  a crb check on the phone at the interview. while the phone is to your ear, turn and look at them and say " hang on a tick,theres a red flag by your name, pray what is  this?"    and see their reaction.    most come clean at this point
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: deeege on February 15, 2013, 07:18:10 am
pretend to be doin  a crb check on the phone at the interview. while the phone is to your ear, turn and look at them and say " hang on a tick,theres a red flag by your name, pray what is  this?"    and see their reaction.    most come clean at this point

Do you sleep with one eye open Bobby?
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: gswainyboy on February 15, 2013, 07:49:34 am
Paul, if theyre gonna be driving you may want to see licence re bans,points etc.for insurance purposes  Also, i think you can ask for work permit or silmilar if they havnt been over here long.
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: andyM on February 15, 2013, 08:43:11 am
pretend to be doin  a crb check on the phone at the interview. while the phone is to your ear, turn and look at them and say " hang on a tick,theres a red flag by your name, pray what is  this?"    and see their reaction.    most come clean at this point

I think if a prospective employee were to come to a job interview with you Bobby, the winning candidate would be the only one who stayed til the end without getting up, walking out and running for the hills.  ;D
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: Dani J on February 15, 2013, 08:17:04 pm
pretend to be doin  a crb check on the phone at the interview. while the phone is to your ear, turn and look at them and say " hang on a tick,theres a red flag by your name, pray what is  this?"    and see their reaction.    most come clean at this point

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: Steve Sed on February 15, 2013, 09:23:52 pm
Does this seem a lot of questions to be asking someone who will be on minimum wage?
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: deeege on February 15, 2013, 09:36:48 pm
Does this seem a lot of questions to be asking someone who will be on minimum wage?

Personally I would just keep it informal and ask 3 or 4 from my list. I'm sure bobby would rather ask a few questions whilst the interviewee was hooked up to a lie detector though. :)
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: Steve Sed on February 15, 2013, 10:08:43 pm
Does this seem a lot of questions to be asking someone who will be on minimum wage?

Personally I would just keep it informal and ask 3 or 4 from my list. I'm sure bobby would rather ask a few questions whilst the interviewee was hooked up to a lie detector though. :)
...and on the end of a cattle prod.  ;D
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: brianbarber on February 16, 2013, 01:16:01 am
A good quality signed application form will give you a lot of info at hand if they make interview stage.
It's very important to have a statement explaining that any false declarations can result in immediate dismissal , even at a later date.

Mr B
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: andyM on February 16, 2013, 03:02:31 pm
I worked for someone in the past (not window cleaning) who had some form of ocd and to a certain extent paranoia.
Working for someone like that ends up having a negative effect on the employee and makes them resentful.
Always on edge wondering what the boss's unpredictable mood is gonna be like each day.
We had to part company in the end and to this day I don't think anyone has worked with him for the long term.
 
Title: Re: Interviewing
Post by: Deangsi on February 16, 2013, 08:50:20 pm
Ask them big wide open questions like:

"So tell me about yourself?"

And...

"Where do you see yourself in ten years?"  Then when they've waffled some, say, "And what about 20?"

If they're female, after the 10 year question, wink suggestively and say, "I can help you with that, Pet!"  (only use 'Pet' if you're a Geordie, otherwise it sounds weird).

HTH.
or chicken if your from cannok lol