You’re business is booming, and there’s plenty of work for you and your team. But you’re running off your feet, juggling calls, filling out invoices, and finishing one job only to hurry on to the next. All you are doing is going from work to sleep—no time for your family or life. You need additional help – someone to take the pressure off and also help expand your business.
Write your job description.
First, define the job you want your employee to do. Because of the tradie shortage, you may want every possible tradie out there to see your ad, but you also don’t want those that won’t fit in with your business culture or don’t have the specific skills your tradie business needs.
Spend time writing a clear job description, and be creative to make your ad stand out from all the other run-of-the-mill ads. Key points to include in your job description are:
- Use a clever headline or specific job title to make your ad sound attractive
- Make it about them. It is what you are selling. What a great opportunity working for you is
- List the things that make it attractive and leave out or downplay the things that don’t
- State if you are looking for someone full-time, part-time, casual or a sub-contractor
- Mention the salary if it’s attractive and pays the above award.
- Include all the incentives you’re offering to make your job appealing, e.g. work vehicle provided, new mobile phone, no after-hours, study leave, bonuses.
- Briefly talk about your business and the values you see in an employee
- Clearly outline what level of experience they need (1st-year apprentice, final year apprentice, fully qualified with how many years experience)
- Outline what essential and desirable skills and certifications they need. Remember that you want someone with different skills to fill in the gaps that you and your staff cannot meet.
- Describe a typical working day. Make it exciting and fulfilling to keep candidates interested in working with you.
- Include where this position could lead to in your business, e.g. qualified, skilled workers could become managers, guarantee apprentices a job when they finish their apprenticeships, maybe partnership down the road.
Advertising a job position is very similar to marketing your services. The goal is to make the position attractive and “sell” the position.
Where can I find good tradespeople?
Now that you know what you want in a new tradesperson, it’s time to find that perfect candidate. Before jumping into major job websites such as Seek and Jora, other channels you should consider are:
Asking around
You may not even need to advertise when looking for someone to hire. Start by asking your tradie colleagues and your existing team if there is someone they know who would be good to work here. They may have a friend, an old work colleague, etc.
Ask your suppliers, too; they often know local tradies who are unhappy where they are.
Hiring an employee recommended by your trusted network can ease some of your worries in finding a good fit for your business.
Utilise or upskill your current team
Maybe an existing staff member could fill the position through upskilling. Or give them more responsibility just to take the pressure off you. Not only will this save time screening new candidates and having to pay another employee, but it can also create a positive business environment where employees can progress in your business.
Employ locally
Popping your ad in local newspapers or sporting newsletters would mean finding candidates close to your place of business. Ask to place an ad with your trade supply store.
Contact local schools and TAFE teachers to see if they know any outstanding apprentices, people in pre-apprentice courses, and people fired during their apprenticeship.
Get online
You can find great employees without using major online employment websites, which could save you time and cost. Consider advertising your position on Facebook Community Boards, Linkedin groups and free postings on Indeed.
Recruit smarter
Please keep doing what you excel at, and let us help you. Save time and money and recruit smarter.
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