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Recruiting for the worst jobs
Recruiting & Staffing
Recruiting for the worst jobs
Exchange ideas about sourcing, screening, interviewing, finding passive candidates, measuring your results, and more.
How do you recruit and retain staff in a job that is, by most standards, one of the worst jobs around?
We are constantly recruiting for mold remediation laborers. The job entails back breaking work
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Forums » Topic Forums » Recruiting & Staffing » Recruiting for the worst jobs
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Recruiting for the worst jobs
posted at 6/10/2010 6:12 AM EDT
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Posts: 10
First: 5/18/2010 Last: 6/23/2010 |
I liken it to Extreme Match-Making LOL Much like the dating world, I'm sure for every job there is likely someone perfectly suited for it. Matchmaking and recruitment actually have a lot in common. We might do well to take a page from methods employed by dating sites...finding the perfect match by matching a candidate's likes and dislikes with the realities of the job...hmmmm |
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Recruiting for the worst jobs
posted at 6/10/2010 6:32 AM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: 6/10/2010 Last: 6/10/2010 |
If you can manage through the credibility and trust issues, you may want to look at programs that help felons return to society. Often times they have limited options due to their jail record, but want to get a new start. Granted there's risk for your org. involved, but you could find some grateful and more loyal employees in the long run. |
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Recruiting for the worst jobs
posted at 6/10/2010 7:25 AM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: 6/10/2010 Last: 6/10/2010 |
Sounds like intense work; but you are also making a difference when the mold is removed. So what about sharing the reality of what the job is & also the result because that person did their job right (i.e. families or businesses can safely be in the building because of the workers; you might build off the "Dirty Jobs" phenomenon with Mike Rowe). Just a few ideas to consider along with what has already been posted. |
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Recruiting for the worst jobs
posted at 6/10/2010 8:39 AM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: 6/10/2010 Last: 6/10/2010 |
I'd like to jump off of the Dirty Jobs idea from the last post....what about seeing if Dirty Jobs would be interested in featuring your company and the position in their show? Perhaps that would generate some interest.
You may want to spend some time with your employees who have seniority in the position. Find out what their personality type is, why do they stay, what makes them tick, what is their motivation? How much is the turnover costing you? You may have more money to work with then you realize. If you are spending $x on turnover, perhaps you could use that money to pay better wages, or bonuses (retention, etc.) if you can reduce the turnover. Last but not least...make sure that your employees know the difference they are making in people's lives. When you receive gratitude for the the people's homes, share it with your employees. Even better, allow the people to share it with your employees directly. |
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Recruiting for the worst jobs
posted at 6/10/2010 1:54 PM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: 6/10/2010 Last: 6/10/2010 |
Have fun with your job posts. They are cheap enough on craigslist to try out a few things. Advertise for a Mold Astronaut. Also, get out there and network with people hiring (or laying off) the same type of worker. Find the local union that employs city sewer workers. Call construction companies and see if they have a list of out of work demo crews. Not a lot of building going on that I know of.
Is this a fun job? Probably not, but they are selling the positive aspects. Doesn't say, "wanna crawl around under houses with lots of creepy bugs all day in a hot smelly plastic suit?" EXTERMINATOR NEEDED [NAME OMITTED] Exterminators Inc. believes in going BEYOND THE CALL of duty in anything and everything that we do in order to consistently surpass our customers' expectations as well as our own. We are tenaciously persistent about providing the highest quality of services to protect the environment and the well-being of the public we serve. We believe customer satisfaction through superior service is the apex of our success as a company. We are committed to invest in the training and nurturing of our employees, so that their potential is fully developed professionally and personally. Read more about our growing company on our website at: www.[deleted].com OUR EMPLOYEES ARE OUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET JOIN OUR TEAM!! We offer: - A career with a successful company that is growing nationally!! - Excellent paid training - Outstanding earnings potential - Company vehicle and gas - Excellent benefit package including: *Medical *Dental *Life *401k plan *Vision *Disability *Paid Vacation - Positive work environment - Opportunity to advance - Opportunity to provide an important service |
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Recruiting for the worst jobs
posted at 6/10/2010 4:22 PM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: 6/10/2010 Last: 6/10/2010 |
Something else to think of, addressing your problem with turnover, is to take some ideas from Southwest Airlines and look at ways to build camaraderie among your employees. "Goodwill and lighthearted rapport between or among friends." Can you do company picnics, give everyone a season ticket to your local amusement park, have contests to see who can find the most rats, the biggest rats, the strangest bugs? You don't have to spend a lot of money on these programs, and if you prevent one turnover it would pay for lots of picnics and season passes.
Someone mentioned the military. They do dangerous and dirty work, and the work and training create bonds that are beyond words. Do some research on unit cohesiveness, I am sure that the military does deliberate things to develop this very necessary culture. Best of luck to you. |
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Recruiting for the worst jobs
posted at 6/11/2010 4:59 AM EDT
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Posts: 544
First: 9/27/2004 Last: 9/13/2011 |
I like what LHoopes says about promoting the value of providing safe housing for families and businesses. Is there a way you can put a human face on that?
Maybe a thank you note to workers from your organization with a picture of the families or workers? Maybe some kind of housewarming gathering at the site when the work is done? |
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Recruiting for the worst jobs
posted at 6/11/2010 7:05 AM EDT
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Posts: 10
First: 5/18/2010 Last: 6/23/2010 |
The coordinator and I walked through all of your comments. Everyone has provided so many great ideas for us to try, we're like kids in a candy store...what to pick and try first.
I've submitted the occupation for consideration for the 'Worst Jobs' television show. There are lots of people who wear the gross-out factor like a badge of honor. I think we can capitalize on that. We can also do a much better job building camaderie on the job..building a fun, good-natured competitive atmosphere. I think it is also important to link job results to our mandate of improving housing for those in need. We will also look at advertising the job so that it appeals to the rough and tumble kind of guy. You've given me lots of ideas like...no gym membership needed, build up muscle and get the natural ripped look that impresses the ladies, 4-day work weeks, travel with all expenses paid, having the right stuff to do the hard stuff, know the difference you are making in people's lives, be tenaciously persistent in providing the highest quality of services to protect the environment and the well-being of the public we serve, receive best-in-class training, competitive pay and a solid benefits package, make your next job a satisfying career you will be proud of! All the makings of a great job advertisement. Thank you so very much everyone. This has been enormously helpful. |
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