The economy

[jefflovstrom]

I posted an ad on craigslist and it was an insane amount of responses! I only need about 5 guys and got more than 150 responses from every trade. I did not know the "Cowboys" are now about out of business because they spike trees and are not certified and people want their moneys well spent. Amazing!
Jeff

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I've had a couple of clients say that they are getting more calls from people looking for work then people looking to have work done.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Not the case here-
Jeff

 

[tree md]

I've had a couple of clients say that they are getting more calls from people looking for work then people looking to have work done.

I wouldn't say that I have more calling than business calls but I have had a lot more calls from guys seeking employment than I ever have. One told me he was a laid off acct. manager that used to do tree work. I seem to be getting more calls from people trying to sell advertising than actual business calls. And I am in two yellowpages as well as having other ads out there.

 

[pdqdl]

My phone rang at least once per hour last week from people looking for work. Unfortunately, they were all from the lowest level of workers (or so it seemed), and few would be considered.

I screen them on the phone this way:

Do you have a drivers license? No? I don't consider a job application very long if you can't get to the job without having to hire a chauffer to get you there.

After which they begin to tell me some sob story about why they don't have a license. I operate under the theory that if they can't run their life well enough to keep a drivers license, they probably can't keep a job either.

 

[Rftreeman]

With thousands of people being laid off everyday it's no wonder.

How many of the craigslist replys were someone's girlfriend and her hubby didn't speak good english?

 

[Ax-man]

I almost hate going to the gas station. The last few times I have been approauched by of all things wanna be climbers looking for work. One guy I would have given a shot if I had work for him just to see if he could cut it. He looked like he knew his stuff. The other I wouldn't have given the time of day. He told me he just got out of the Illinois D.O.C. and needed to lose his beer gut. Now that would look good on a resume.

I get a kick out of some of these so called climbers and like to quiz them on equipment and techniques. Most don't have a clue to what is going on and are mostly all talk and alot of BS to go with it.

Larry

 

[M.Green - SVTS]

I am appalled by some of the statements you guys are making. These are tough times for people. They may be tough times for you. But there are people out there that don't have jobs and don't want them. Atleast show a little bit of respect to the ones that do want jobs.

Anyone that calls asking for a job or approaches me asking I always and will continue to let them down easy. I always take the time to ask questions I ask all who want to be hired I won't list them. It gives people hope to keep looking.

For example, your company may be the very first company they try to call looking for a job. You #### on them they hang up the phone and stop looking because of your rude comments.

I know what it's like to be out of work. It'll never happen again I pray to god and I am sure everyone on this forum knows what it's like to not have work. Doing estimates the same day the request comes in because you have no work. Let them down politely, if they have skills take there information. Come on now!

 

[pdqdl]

I hope you are not taking exceptions to my comments?

I'm not dogging these guys, nor am I impolite to them. It's just that I am not willing to waste their time (and mine) by inviting them out to do a job application and then interview them when there is no possibility of employment.

They don't get the chauffeur comment until they start arguing with me about how their wife/girlfriend/mother can give them a ride to work. I was just condensing a longer conversation into a few short sentences. Sorry.

I am pretty close to the working folks of this world, and I am probably much more tolerant of the imperfections and faults of the unemployed than most folks. No ivory towers for me.

On the other hand, it is not considerate nor kind to people to let them down gently if they are not qualified for a certain type of work. Just tell them the facts, and let it sink in.

 

[M.Green - SVTS]

Yeah, my statement was a little harsh my apologies.

And about the drivers license that too is also a tough thing for an employer to look past.

But, to the last point, there is an exception to the rule. Greenhorns. They aren't qualified and may not be able to handle it but if you had work to hire someone with no experience I personally think giving a young person the chance to make it.

You know after a few hours if someone can make it. I have to admit, aside from decision making when your in the air ground work is hard. Before promotions and starting my own business I figured out that you have to love to do tree work and want promotion in order to make it in the industry.

Apologies and your previous comment made much more sense to me.

 

[pdqdl]

Greenhorns are perfectly qualified to hold a greenhorn position. If I'm hiring greenhorns, those are the kind of guys I am looking for.

Unless they don't have a driver's license.

Which means that they probably can't run their life well enough to keep a job, and they certainly can't drive my truck to the jobsite.

 

[BC WetCoast]

Greenhorns are perfectly qualified to hold a greenhorn position. If I'm hiring greenhorns, those are the kind of guys I am looking for.

Unless they don't have a driver's license.

Which means that they probably can't run their life well enough to keep a job, and they certainly can't drive my truck to the jobsite.

The comment on driver's licence really depends on where you live. Half our crew doesn't have licences. But it doesn't matter as we are within two blocks of a rapid transit station.

Hell, 3 of my kids don't have licences and they get around the city fine on transit. In urban areas, sometimes it's just a choice.

 

[pdqdl]

My reason for needing a DL is not related to their ability to get to work. I have a metro bus stop right on my doorstep.

I require a DL for two reasons:
1. They can take one of my trucks and drive it to the job, without needing someone else to take them there.
2. More importantly, I have discovered that employees without drivers licenses are usually poor employees. It is a provable life skill: you are goal oriented enough to get one, and you can follow instructions well enough to keep it once you got the license.
3. Get too many guys working for you without a license, and the drivers discover they can get away with all sorts of crap because they are "the driver"

You would be surprised how many guys come to my business that just can't get/keep a license.

 

[Treetom]

The first question I ask potential employees is: do you have a driver's license? Some do. Recent ones who didn't replied, "I need $200.00 and I can get it back"; or, " I have a state ID and a paper license, but I'm waiting on my plastic one." I just had a young guy come back to work as a brush dragger. He has two driver's licenses, both expired in '08. He says the new one is in the mail. He's worked for me before and is a hard worker, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. He's standing in for my other employee who was injured. No, not on the job. He broke his foot chasing a Frisbee last weekend.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I do not think a DL is very important for an entry position, or for "occasionals". One can bring in part time/temporary help for the extra brush dragger, and by so doing do a good turn for society. I have one client who regularly brings in temp help because it is a good thing to do. If they work hard he will give them a tip on they way out, and quite often ask if they are available the next time he needs a warm body.

 

[Rftreeman]

A DL may not be important but the second time you can't get to work because you couldn't find a ride will be the last time you'll have to worry about getting here. Most guys without DL are either drunks or will abuse you trucks if let them drive.

 

[tree md]

My most experienced guy has no DL. He is a couple years older than me. Been doing tree work his whole life. He is also originally from the same area in GA as me. He's around 300# and can tote BIG wood. He has a scooter that he gets to work on. Ever seen a 300# goundie riding a scooter to work with goggles on??? Funny stuff.

 

[Tree Machine]

I'm hiring and a DL is one of the first questions. Then, do you have a cell phone?

The reason for the importance of phone and license is sometimes a guy is just going to be late to work. I need to know. If I know, I can go to the job and he knows where to go, no big deal, such is life. But to have a boss waiting on a late employee (or a no-show) before work can commence or even before he can leave home base is like the boss throwing money out into the wind. That is not why we hire guys- we hire because we need the help. We don't hire because someone needs a job, that is a bad reason to hire, experience tells me.

If a bossman wants to be a taxi driver pickup/take-home service, or work his schedule around a worker, fine, just know what you're signing on for.

I'm happy to pay extra for the worker having a cell phone, or even subsidize it for him as part of the employment package. It costs less in money and frustration than having to sit and wait and not know when (or if) his help is going to be there to help.

I'm hiring because business has never been better. Not bragging, just hoping y'all don't see only gloom out there. Take pride in your work, treat customers fairly, go the extra mile. Things will pick up for you. Believe in yourself. Focus on the homeowners and the trees, you will do OK.