Replies

1. 
   davidmeiland | Oct 28, 2005 05:31am | #1

   Craigslist is an amazing resource. We sold our last house with a craigslist ad. I've hired people, gotten hired myself, bought and sold cars... the works.

2. 
   SquarePeg | Oct 28, 2005 05:34am | #2

   We've hired 4 people through craiglist. All stellar, with exemplary background. They are all working out well.

    

3. 
   Renoun | Oct 28, 2005 06:31am | #3

   That is where I surf when I am looking for more work. The folks who can't seem to find motivated folks with critical thinking skills might give it a shot. CL is where all of us former techies from the software industry are finding work that can't be sent offshore. We are usually pretty good problem solvers, don't have to be taught something twice, and behave professionally. Of course there are deadbeats on CL too but by now most folks should have decent BS detectors.

   If you do post be honest about salary and work available and have reasonable expectations. I always wonder what the people willing to pay $12 an hour think they are going to get replying when they ask for a experienced lead carpenter in Western Washington.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/27/2005 11:44 pm by Renoun

1. 
   IronDog | Oct 28, 2005 04:53pm | #4

   I know what you mean about unreasonable expectations. You can't expect to even attract good people without giving something in return.
   I offered a starting hourly wage of 13 bucks for a motivated carpenters helper. For that I expect someone who can listen and learn and work on their own to some degree.
   If they progress then the dollars progress.I've spent too much time working with "cheap" help that just winds up costing you time, going back and fixing their work, making your clients look askance at you for hiring this idiot etc.And I'm not getting any younger, if I'm going to stay in this biz I'm going to need to develop some assistants who will stay and develop.TomYou Don't Know.

   You Don't Want to Know.

   You Aren't Going to Know.

1. 
   txlandlord | Oct 28, 2005 06:11pm | #5

   ID,

   When I was running my own frame crew, I would have guys come up and ask for a job. If they told me they were a frame carpenter, had tools and were ready to work, I'd ask them to build a set of saw horses to particular dimensions, with their own tools.

   While pushing my other guys I would observe their methods as they built, and judge the end product engineering and the time it took to finish.  

   Simple project, generally seperates the carpenters from the wannabes, and we could always use another set of horses around the large homes we framed.

   Asking them to read a portion of the plans or walk a top plate are also a good tests, but the top plate walking may produce unwanted liability. 

   If they did an adequate job on the horses, and I was still unsure of their experience, I would guarantee them helper wages for the first week with addition money (dating back to their start date) if they proved themselves to be worth more.

   OPnce they get started, make sure to tell them "Don't stop looking for work just because you found a job". A good carpenter will be self-motivated, finding things to do while your talking to the HO, or figuring out circular stair framing.   

1. 
   JulianTracy | Oct 28, 2005 06:54pm | #6

   Great idea about the sawhorses... You're right - that simple task will tell you 90% of what you need to know.Be interesting to see the saw horses of the ones you didn't hire. I'll bet some were crap and other possibly way too good for the purpose.JT

2. 
   IronDog | Oct 30, 2005 01:16am | #7

   Tex, I've narrowed the list down to three guys. I think some were scared off by this follow up email to the potentials which follows.>>>Thanks for your interest in the position and the resume.
   I'm evaluating the responses I have received to the posting and would like to say a few things about the work and ask you if it seems like it would be a good fit.
   The position may not be full time right away.
   There are no benefits other than learning new skills.This position would involve a very wide variety of work in a wide variety of conditions.
   Sometimes the work will be dirty, dusty and loud in cold or hot conditions. Sometimes it will
   be detail oriented in very clean conditions. Sometimes it will be tedious, sometimes very satisfying.
   Sometimes you would have to work alone. The work can result in bruises, splinters and sore muscles. On the upside you can see how a structure is built from the ground up, how the different subcontractors integrate into the whole and be able to see what you have accomplished at the end of a day.If you have thought this over and are still interested I will keep you in consideration!<<<<A number of potentials dropped out after that. The rest said that was pretty much what they expected.
   This next week or so I'm going to work a day or two with each of them and see how we work together.I might wish I could hire more than one!TomYou Don't Know.

   You Don't Want to Know.

   You Aren't Going to Know.

1. 
   txlandlord | Oct 30, 2005 05:34pm | #8

   Sounds like a good filter.  I make it a point to ask potential employees if they are in this business temporarily or if they are making a career in the building business.

   I also composed a test for superinterndents when I waas looking . If they failed or scored poorly on the test, it was easy to tell them they were not worth what they were asking, or that they may want a career, but had a lot to learn.

   A friend of mine who worked as a framer for me used to run an ad:

   Carpenters Wanted: no bimbos, bozos or goofballs need apply. It worked.

4. 
   Kowboy | Oct 31, 2005 07:56am | #9

   I used the free advertising on Craig'sList (Detroit) and got an Email from a guy in New Jersey who got my ad from Googling "Countertop Replacement and Repair". When I checked it yesterday, it was still at the top of the page!