The key to running any good business is to have the right people by your side, and that’s definitely true in the trades. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking after a team of full-time staff, or simply subbies you can call on to help when things get busy, people truly matter. But with so much competition out there, which has only got tougher due to the skills shortage, it can be tricky getting the best people onboard. Luckily, Alison Warner from Evolve and Grow Coaching is here with her top five tips on how to hire the right people for the job. Take it away Alison!
Tip 1: Make your company and the role attractive
The first thing to remember is that recruitment is a two-way process. It’s not just about what they can do for your business, but what you can do for them. Take a good look at your company, and have a think about what you can offer to attract the best people. You may need to do some work in this area if you don’t already have processes in place.
For example, people are always looking at ways to develop and learn, so look at how to invest in personal development. Whether it’s training (on the job or through approved courses), mentoring or regular catchups, this is a great way of showing how much you value your team and is definitely something to shout about.
It’s also a good idea to look at the extra perks of the job. Do you make time to meet up outside of work? Have you created a friendly working environment? These factors can be just as important as the job itself in bagging the right people.
Tip 2: Create a strong job ad
If you’re posting a job advert, it’s important to really sell the role and include everything people need to know. Of course, you’ll need to include details about your company and the opportunity, but you’ll also need to set the bar high by being clear on your expectations. You should include those job perks too, to showcase any of the benefits.
Tip 3: Widen the net
If you want to hire the best people, it’s important to look everywhere. Asking your contacts about who they might know is a great place to start, but you should also think about setting up an advert on a job search website, like Indeed, as you can add a daily budget to advertise on social media platforms.
On top of this, why not consider setting up a referral scheme? This is a great way of finding people you can trust, while also rewarding your team by giving them some extra cash if they bring someone new onboard.
Step 4: Have a clear selection process
You need to move fast here, as good people get snapped up quickly. If you’ve got a few applications, you should start by thinking about whether their skills match the requirements and if they have the necessary qualifications. Then, if they’ve been in the trades for a while, take a look at how long they have stayed with previous companies, as this will give you an indication of whether or not they’re in it for the long-term.
If you’re taking on someone newer to the trades or an apprentice, meeting them face-to-face is a great way of finding out if they’ll be a good fit for you and your team. Why not invite them down to site for a trial day to see what they’re like?
Tip 5: Check references
It might be something you often forget, but checking references is key to getting a full picture of what they’re like at work. Here are some key questions to ask people they’ve worked with before:
• What job did they do with you and for how long?
• How would you rate their overall performance on a scale of 1-10?
• Are they reliable?
• If there were any issues during their employment, how satisfied were you with how they dealt with the situation?
• Would you work with them again?
Once you’ve checked out their references, and are happy, it’s time to make your decision!
These may be simple tips, but they really make a difference. For more tips and advice, have a read through the Jewson blog, or head to the Evolve and Grow Coaching website.
About Alison Warner
Alison Warner is a specialist business coach, working with construction and trade business owners. By focusing on growing sales, building better client and team relationships, she helps her clients develop more valuable businesses.
