Would you work for free?

[treemandan]

My wife thinks Im an idiot, because I went and worked a full day for free. I am trying to go back to my roots and work up in our local mountains doing big removals, that is my first love.
I contacted several companys up there and offered to work for free one day to show what I can do. One reply the owner kind of belittled me and made fun of me. (I'm not modest in saying how good I am) But another company took me up and worked me for the day. The owner said he has several resumes on his desk but my e-mail intrigued him. At the end of the day he told me I have a leg up, and have an excellent chance to get all his contract work. Me and his Crew got a long really good and that can often be a tie breaker.
He said he'll send me a check to cover my expenses for the day and I have to mail back an application.
I am finding at 53 years old I get discriminated against a lot because of my age. I often don't even get a call back after I tell my age. So I have to do what ever I can to get a chance to show what I can do.
We all have seen people who claim 10 years experience but in reality have 1 years experience 10 times, If I have to work one day free to show what I'm about, I think its good business, my Wife(the brains of the operation) thinks it cheapens me and makes me look like a rube.
So you Owner operators, What do you all think? Beastmaster

No man, I wouldn't unless it was my mistake. I tell people what I want as far as pay and let them decided if I am worth it at the end of the day. Most people doing tree work by book math are looking for a kid they can tell what to do ( which is dangerous) and can pay them less ( which is somehow fair?).

I found that the more experiance I tell people I have usually are put off... even when I am not looking for a job. And I hope I never have to do that cause that would be worse than eating all this crap to run this business.

I would like to find a well endowed climber to pay him around 50 per hour on a PT basis.

 

[treemandan]

Comment directed at Beastmaster but me really like your Ford!

I am way too old to start learning how to use that climbing stuff.
Would love to watch you use it though!

Well, I guess he could get up the tree with the one thing but it looks like he can barely get to the jobsite in the other.:tongue2:

Same here.

 

[ropensaddle]

Well, I guess he could get up the tree with the one thing but it looks like he can barely get to the jobsite in the other.:tongue2:

Same here.

Quite the opposite it goes where them new fangled ones wont and I dont have to worry bout sqwatchin da paintoke: It also will twist da new ones in a tug o war lol I took a trip up to Missouri pulling the stumper in it lol did not use no oil no problems 4 hours there and 4 back so I guess your wrong lol.

 

[trimmmed]

Ah, it's the new world of resumes being required for blue collar work. ( buncha bs imo)

Hey beast, if you're 53 and still willing and able you probably are in good enough shape to pass for 43, just slip a digit on your birthdate on the ole resume. That might get you a foot in the door, where you can then show them. After they realize you can, they won't care how old you are. This works......take it from this 53 year old goin on 43!!!!! lol, you can apologize for the "typo" later.

 

[VA-Sawyer]

I took a trip up to Missouri pulling the stumper in it lol did not use no oil no problems 4 hours there and 4 back so I guess your wrong lol.

The part he don't tell you is that Missouri is only 40 miles away ! :msp_wink:

Rick

 

[046]

that new Wraptor tool looks super useful!! I want one...

Aww your bullchitten It may separate the young from the old but my wraptor makes foot lock look soooooooooo primitive:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[treeclimber101]

I see both sides of this , a day for free is smart as a business owner, and also a bit silly unless the boss took you to a job where he was also working for free or put in something at his house or shop , no offense but your gonna make the man money 2xs for the same tree , it was getting cut whether the climber was free or payed so obviously hes making alot more .... Don't allow him to make that a habit your already showing that your willing to do it ...As far as the" try before you buy" BS thats silly and a bit srarmy to say the least ... Every hour of every day a man is making a man money he should be paid for his time period ....

 

[ropensaddle]

Hell most years I'm working for free anyway after expense Friggin tight wads see to that

 

[ropensaddle]

Ah, it's the new world of resumes being required for blue collar work. ( buncha bs imo)

Hey beast, if you're 53 and still willing and able you probably are in good enough shape to pass for 43, just slip a digit on your birthdate on the ole resume. That might get you a foot in the door, where you can then show them. After they realize you can, they won't care how old you are. This works......take it from this 53 year old goin on 43!!!!! lol, you can apologize for the "typo" later.

Hmmmmmmmm if I shave real nice I might pass for 38

 

[tree md]

I will not work for free but will give them the option to opt out and not keep me if they do not like my work. I tell them that if they're not happy with my work they can cut me loose and there will be no hard feelings. I only do contract climbing occasionally tho. And I bring my own equipment, my own help and carry my own insurance. I did a contract job for a local service when I first got down here to the storm effected area; before my ads took off. I did three large trees for the guy, one was huge pine hung up over a house. He paid my fee no questions asked but didn't say anything about future work. That afternoon I went and bid my own job and secured it for the following day. The next day he called and wanted to work just me and pay me a couple of hundred for a couple hour crane removal (so he said). I declined as I had already secured a $2200 job for that day. Never heard back from the guy.

It's been quite awhile since I have hired a climber but I always pay. I can usually tell by conversating with them if they know what they are doing. Some I have paid and let go, some I have paid and kept, and some I have given a raise and kept... But I always pay. I don't like to work for no pay and don't expect anyone else to. I can see where someone would do so to get they're foot in the door but I wouldn't want to work for someone who would take advantage like that.

I did do some volunteer work at a State park here. I did some pruning for the Boy scouts on an arbor project one of the scouts was doing for his Eagle Scout Merit. I also took down some dangerous hangers from over a couple of camp sites for the Park Ranger.

 

[Blackdog]

Just got done doing a $3000 job for free on the set of Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Teamed up with another local tree company work from 7pm to 3am. Never rode the crane in the dark before! Felt good to give away professional services for a good cause. We even got done three hours ahead of schedule and impressed everybody on set. All the work on the show and materials are donated and a new home built in six days! This one should be a two hour special airing in mid October for Fayettville NC. Doubt you'll see us on film as we were the first contractors on site after the family limo pulled.

 

[teatersroad]

As an employer, I sure wouldn't feel right having someone work for me for free. If I trust you enough to have you on my jobsite, it's only fair I pay you. I just don't see paying you or not would make a difference on whether I'd give you a shot, and your willingness to work for free would be a little unsettling to me. Glad it worked out for you.

 

[beastmaster]

Just an update, hadn't heard back from that company for a while and was feeling a little foolish, but he contacted me a few days ago, guess he tried out a couple other climbers.(I doubt for free) I have a crane job on the books, and he want to put me on payroll, a nice day rate to take his crew out when he's unavailable. It worked out good, and I don't know if I had gotten the chance to show what I can do otherwise.
Every situation is different, and I wouldn't offer free labor to every prospective job employer, but it worked out good here in this situation. Beastmaster

 

[pdqdl]

Excellent!

I'm glad that your gamble paid off for you. But then again, you knew it wasn't too much of a gamble, didn't you?

 

[Doc Hickory]

Hey there Beastmaster!

I'd call what you did an investment in the future. The boss said he'd cover your expenses, so that at least makes you break even. Now figure the benefit of getting the job. Assume you stay there 5 years...one day looks like next to nothing considering your gain. Your wife has a point, but we all know sometimes we have to give a little to get a little. I think what you did was a really cool mix of wise/generous with a little adventure thrown in for a kicker...you got my vote!

 

[easy-lift guy]

Gamble payed off

I am glad to hear that your approach to securing a job payed off. If the boss likes your work the rest will be up to you. All the best.
easy-lift guy

 

[lone wolf]

My wife thinks Im an idiot, because I went and worked a full day for free. I am trying to go back to my roots and work up in our local mountains doing big removals, that is my first love.
I contacted several companys up there and offered to work for free one day to show what I can do. One reply the owner kind of belittled me and made fun of me. (I'm not modest in saying how good I am) But another company took me up and worked me for the day. The owner said he has several resumes on his desk but my e-mail intrigued him. At the end of the day he told me I have a leg up, and have an excellent chance to get all his contract work. Me and his Crew got a long really good and that can often be a tie breaker.
He said he'll send me a check to cover my expenses for the day and I have to mail back an application.
I am finding at 53 years old I get discriminated against a lot because of my age. I often don't even get a call back after I tell my age. So I have to do what ever I can to get a chance to show what I can do.
We all have seen people who claim 10 years experience but in reality have 1 years experience 10 times, If I have to work one day free to show what I'm about, I think its good business, my Wife(the brains of the operation) thinks it cheapens me and makes me look like a rube.
So you Owner operators, What do you all think? Beastmaster

Good way to see if the boss is a cheapskate I would never let a guy work for free unless he owed me something!

 

[Ed Roland]

Should I Work for Free?

 

[BC WetCoast]

This isn't that uncommon a situation.

Unpaid interns are common in the radio/tv and political business. They are there to gain experience and to hopefully impress someone enough to get a job later.

And to the person who said lawyers don't work for free. Never heard of pro bono? Also most lawyers/accountants will give you a free 1/2 hour. It's a bit of a sales/interview process but used wisely, you still get a free half hour from them.

I think its a good strategy, I know we have done it, although I believe the person was actually on some form of income assistance and came to us as some kind of 'training' program. As an owner, you need to have some interest in the person to begin with to risk having him on your jobsite. It's not worth having Crackhead Craig even if he works for free.

 

[beastmaster]

I'm in my second week as leadman for his company. I have never been happier. I started out up in those mountains over 25 years ago. I work with some hard working, english speaking youngsters who have an interest in learning. The Company wants me to get re-certified (ISA) and let me use what I know to help the business. I let my Cert. expire because the company I use to work for wouldn't even let me talk to customers, or ask my opinion in front of a customer(but would often repeat verbatim what I said to him in private).
I'm actually making less money, but there is more to happiness and contentment then just money. I am doing what I like best in this business. I like to think of my self as a removal artist(In my humble opinion.)and I love rigging big wood. I am doing removals everyday on this job, and they have some huge trees up there. There has been discussions if things work out of me taking a bigger part in running the business.
I can do a few contracting jobs with his blessing(so long as there not with local companys).
I sent an e-mail to this company, I told them I know there are a lot of people claiming to be this or that, I said I'm for real, and would come work for nothen for a day to show What I am about and could do. It was a small gamble and it payed off for me. But It wasn't really a gamble because I know I am that experience, and giving a chance would prove it.
Say what you want it got me where I wanted to be. Beastmaster