Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: dave0123 on August 13, 2008, 06:49:20 pm
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Finally gone for it lads..
after much umming and arring on what to do i have finally taken the pluge to take somebody on... its a little scary as its a big step in my business and keeping my customers happy.
the main reason that brought me to taking on was because i just carnt get around all my work on my own even if i work on a saturday the rain doesnt help either and am currently behind by a fair bit.
i imagtion this is were the nightmare starts trying to find someone good, but not just good someone polite,smart willing and so on any advice from you fellow window cleaners would be great ;D.
I have read back over the forum and looked at theads about employing and thinking of paying him a set wage + bonus on quality of work, time keeping, etc. the advert ends friday its been up for three weeks.
any advice or tips for looking for the right person would be great.
dave
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the advert ends friday its been up for three weeks.
Has anyone applied yet?
Andy
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Im not sure.
they are going to contact me on friday for them to send me the applications or pick them up. had a few phone calls asking about it though so i think so.
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Im not sure.
they are going to contact me on friday for them to send me the applications or pick them up. had a few phone calls asking about it though so i think so.
Is this through the job centre?
Andy
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no connexions usally people aged between 16-24
why?
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Just wondering because I've been umming and errring about employing for a while as well.
Will be interesting to see how you get on :)
Andy
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Ill keep you informed :) i am also going to interview them at connexions offices too which is handy, you can proberly do the same at the job centre too proberly.
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Southern, have you thought about adding East Sussex to your areas, and if you got any jobs this way could sub them off you, sorry to go off topic,
Chris
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i use the job centre to employ. the good thing is its free to advertise. the not so good thing is you have to deal with a lot wasters to get to a few good lads, but they are out there
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Haven't seen anyone crack this yet- on here at least- but it must be possible. I've had a few half hearted attempts, ad with job centre, got some calls and tried one. We started at nine, he was exhausted by 12.30, so I let him eat lunch ( i don't bother because I have to stop at three). When we resumed he had no energy at all. This was before I got the electric reel and all I was asking him to do was wind in and help with the hose, but even this was quicker to do myself.
Then someone I know had a go. He was a good worker, but tangled my hose badly with over enthusiastic winding and then burst it trying to undo the damage. Lost the next day waiting for a new £160 reel to come. Didn't get my logoed tee or work trousers back either.
The plan was he would work for me one day a week but everytime I went to pick him up he had already arranged to work for someone else.
That was months ago, and even though i'm miles behind because of holidays and would love some help (2k behind if i did the jobs i should) when he asks as he had been recently I say no.
Most seem to have similar or worse stories although some like gordons windows say it is worth it when you come out the other end.
You do seem to be doing the right thing, and for the right reasons.
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You could try gumtree.com and put an ad on your local area, worked for me.
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You need to give insentives if you don`t they`ll be gone by christmas,i would give a weekly bonus not monthly because if he dosen`t hit his weekly he only has another week to wait before he could get it again.If you give monthly bonuses and they don`t hit them they will get deflated knowing they have another month to wait if you see what i mean.The main thing i find is treat them well and don`t take rubbish from them from day 1,more than 1 day off a month sick for no good reason the bonus has gone.
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i use the job centre to employ. the good thing is its free to advertise. the not so good thing is you have to deal with a lot wasters to get to a few good lads, but they are out there
Steve, connexions is also free. Im hoping there will be some good lads that will have applied.. have to wait and see.
We started at nine, he was exhausted by 12.30, so I let him eat lunch ( i don't bother because I have to stop at three).
lol that made me laff exhausted by 12.30 ;D
You need to give insentives if you don`t they`ll be gone by christmas,i would give a weekly bonus not monthly because if he dosen`t hit his weekly he only has another week to wait before he could get it again.If you give monthly bonuses and they don`t hit them they will get deflated knowing they have another month to wait if you see what i mean.The main thing i find is treat them well and don`t take rubbish from them from day 1,more than 1 day off a month sick for no good reason the bonus has gone.
Thats what i was thinking of doing mate.. giving insentives to work based on turning up on time quality of work and also how much we get done in the week. so basicly if he doesnt turn up on time for 3 days out of 5 or what ever he will just get the basic wage.
Dave
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tried connextions, got a load of scallys triued two of them but they were what you would expect from young people.
Iv tried jobcentre too but it took about 8 people but i have some one know who is a good worker........i hope it sticks like this.
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Hi,
Where can i get an electric reel.
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Hi,
Where can i get an electric reel.
Not at the jobcentre, or through connexions!
???
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Well il have to see what sort of people come to the interview, wont be going near any scally's.
dave
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Maybe I'm not setup to employ. My work is spread out and not compact, and my van is already at the weight limit. Perhaps a bigger van 100O litres, two reels etc.
What sort of van would I need to look at for a setup like this?
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Movano,transit,the largest payload they do.
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I think Andy wanted to know how many people had applied for the job,
spoke to connexions today adn there has been 5 people applied, was expecting more but nevermind. he said there could be more today which he wont recive until monday and will inform you if there are so.. proberly wont be lol
dave
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Hi lads,
Had the applications through now there looks about 3 that are worth taking on so far but obv they need to be interview, as there is only 5 am going to interview them all.
Just wondering from the lads who allready employ what sort of questions to ask? i no the obv stuff like why do you want to be a window cleaner? why did you leave your old job? etc just wondering what sort of other questions is good to ask for our industry? and any clues to watch out for ;D
cheers Dave
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Ask what motivates them and what do they think they can bring to your business.
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Thanks Dave!
good questions :)
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Does anyone else have any pointers?
Dave
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ask them if they have bills they have to meet each month,i find this the most important thing.If they don`t have a vehicle to pay for or a morgage the chances are they`ll let you downi wouldn`t go for a lad that lives at home with mum.