How do you decide who to hire?

[Comatose]

This will sound dumb, but if you're in a situation where you can't have them operating machinery for a test (insurance, whatever)

Go buy a cheap little piece of IKEA furniture. Hand them the box and watch them assemble it. That will tell you everything you need to know about them.

Do they read the directions before? Do they read the directions while they go? Do they read the directions at all? Do they organize everything first or work from a pile? Do they work smoothly or are they fumbly? Can they put the stupid thing together at all? How long does it take? Are they put out about it?

Or offer them a choice. "Would you rather answer questions about what kind of animal you are for 10 minutes, or assemble this chair?"

 

[MwTech Inc]

Surely it must be possible to hire a useful person once in a while

No intent to discourage you, but I've known guys in your situation that have a real hard time sharing their toys...........lol

Almost sounds you would be better off stealing someone rather than cold hire...........

 

[masheenist]

I've found that even the best machinists can't make you money as soon as they start working for you. They need time to learn what and how you want things done, time to learn the layout, where tools are kept, etc.
You will spend time teaching these things, or do the work yourself.

 

[macgyver]

Every time this comes up I think of BobW saying that his best people has always been someone he spotted at another business (not a machine shop) and he noticed that they were a good candidate. They were a hustler, cared about their duties and just overall did a good job etc. He hired a parts counter guy and a waitress I think that worked out really well.

Anyway, the point is, if there is someone working at a place you frequent enough to notice they are good and act like they could be taught, it might be worth offering them a job, but you'll have to give them a reason to jump ship.

I'll also add that I personally like to get people in the shop. I have not ever hired anyone, but as far as sales go, I have always had very good results if I can either get a client in my shop or I can get in theirs and just do the tour/BS session while walking around. It gets people out of the office where it feels like the principles office and into a better environment for realistic conversation and topic.

 

[MwTech Inc]

You will spend time teaching these things, or do the work yourself

Yep, the Op will be in for some long days...... .

Course another machine...... all setup with large capacity pallets.....we don't know the work............ may absorb the load??????

 

[F35Machinist]

Every time this comes up I think of BobW saying that his best people has always been someone he spotted at another business (not a machine shop) and he noticed that they were a good candidate. They were a hustler, cared about their duties and just overall did a good job etc. He hired a parts counter guy and a waitress I think that worked out really well.

Anyway, the point is, if there is someone working at a place you frequent enough to notice they are good and act like they could be taught, it might be worth offering them a job, but you'll have to give them a reason to jump ship.

I'll also add that I personally like to get people in the shop. I have not ever hired anyone, but as far as sales go, I have always had very good results if I can either get a client in my shop or I can get in theirs and just do the tour/BS session while walking around. It gets people out of the office where it feels like the principles office and into a better environment for realistic conversation and topic.

It is a nice idea, but waitresses pull 80k+ around here and I don't think working in a "dirty" machine shop would entice them even if the money were comparable. I can't think of the last time I saw a good worker, but I will keep my eyes peeled.

 

[pcd]

And yes that includes tips. So, maybe some waitresses make $80k, but it's not typical.

 

[Comatose]

It is a nice idea, but waitresses pull 80k+ around here and I don't think working in a "dirty" machine shop would entice them even if the money were comparable. I can't think of the last time I saw a good worker, but I will keep my eyes peeled.

You don't want the waitress. You want the cook.