Stress : Finding employees

[stour]

Gah.

I'm so irritated. i really could do with a customer service person. i really don't fancy another year without one. but can we find one? can we hell as like.

the quality of the cvs we've received has been just awful. I mean really really bad. the only decent one withdrew her application:flail:

Problems like there their and they're confusion, no understanding of the difference between personnel and personal / college and collage. i could go on...... it leads me to think that if they're unable to spot them in an important document like their cv, how likely is it that they're going to spot them in an email to a customer?

But do customers care? I would but am I alone in that?

Do i take someone on the idea that anyone's better than no one and face the fact that emails will go out wrong, accept lowered standards or do i do it all myself but do it badly because i'm trying to do too much?

oh i don't know.

[missymum22]

grrr bad spelling/punctuation and grammar bug me too! but i don't have to employ anyone, there is a girl at work who on any diary entries she has to write its 'threw' and not 'through'!

argh i feel your frustration, but it would bug me!

[BellaMiller]

Stour - just an idea - are you near a college/university?
A close friend of mine runs her very sucessful bizz (her products are retailed by the likes of Toys r Us, Blooming Marvellous etc) with very highly motivated university business students. As part of their course they are required to work for a year in industry. She has now had 4 placements and not a bad experience to date.

[BellaMiller]

Forgot to add that the placements are all customer service/sales/admin/project management type roles.

[Chell]

But do customers care? I would but am I alone in that?



As a customer I do.

[stour]

Stour - just an idea - are you near a college/university?
A close friend of mine runs her very sucessful bizz (her products are retailed by the likes of Toys r Us, Blooming Marvellous etc) with very highly motivated university business students. As part of their course they are required to work for a year in industry. She has now had 4 placements and not a bad experience to date.

We've had two. first one was good, second was dreadful.

with the first i was able to choose him and he worked hard for me. second i had no choice as we're a long way from any college or university and only one person applied. i took her, the rest is history.:cheesy:

[TinkerTailor]

But do customers care? I would but am I alone in that?



I do too I'm afraid!

[BellaMiller]

We've had two. first one was good, second was dreadful.

with the first i was able to choose him and he worked hard for me. second i had no choice as we're a long way from any college or university and only one person applied. i took her, the rest is history.:cheesy:

Aha! G has been able to interview all of hers - I also have a contact who places american students - if you are interested I could put you in touch :happy72:

[stour]

a student without a home throws up huge problems though, similar to the problem that hiring a Pole / Eastern European worker. What do we do for accommodation? I really don't want to have to live with 'em and I don't want to have to rent a flat for them.

I'd like a lady in her 60s who just wants a quiet job. One rang but she didn't send her cv in.

[ann0024]

Could a virtual assistant help?

[stour]

no, it's not a virtual job really. pity as it would be the answer but i just don't see it working well. I've tried telep[hone answering services before but the quailty has been hitty / missy.

[BellaMiller]

a student without a home throws up huge problems though, similar to the problem that hiring a Pole / Eastern European worker. What do we do for accommodation? I really don't want to have to live with 'em and I don't want to have to rent a flat for them.

I'd like a lady in her 60s who just wants a quiet job. One rang but she didn't send her cv in.
They "find their own way" and tend to be postgrads anyway so pretty responsible !
Have you put any feelers out via your local NCT? There may be women looking for a flexible job who might well fit the bill!

[Miranda]

^^ WSS NCT person, all my 3 (and the one who left cos her other job out paid out houred me for more hours from her (no school hols)) are NCT members/types

[stour]

its just that mothers tend to want the summer holidays off / lower hours but as its one of our busiest times this presents a real problem. that's why i was hoping to lean toward the older market. we've put notices up in post office windows and all sorts of things.

[Seren]

So, you want an older person?

Do you want a retired person?

[stour]

more than happy with retired. i am happy with anyone who can work here, nearly full time including the summer and can spell and preferably know where to put an apostrophe.

Nice telephone manner and good attention to detail.

[lisaequi]

where are you? i need a job and have business level III in admin and have done customer service reception n stuff!! nayone else out there who wants someone let me know!

[mumsiejudy]

I could also do with a job such as this but I expect we are too far apart. Pity!

[Seren]

I was thinking maybe posting on a website forum where old people go, not sure where silver surfers post.

If you get someone younger you may have to put up with someone who isn't what you want but someone who with coaching/training will become what you want. Someone who has potential. My ex employer used to conduct a telephone interview with candidates before he had them attend a face to face interview, that way he weeded out the no hopers.

Where are you located? You are Organized Mum aren't you?

[stour]

yup, we're in wiltshire, between shaftesbury and salisbury in a converted farm! i have a sneaking suspicion that our rather beautiful middle of nowhere location is most of our problem!

i don't like to put the business name in posts as i like to be able to talk incognito if you see what i mean.

[lisaequi]

bum...to far for me!unless you willing for me to come live with you!!!

[stour]

I'm from Newcastle originally so customers would think we were the same person. you and I can tell the difference in accent but i bet most of our customers couldn't. What a shame. i don't think you'd want to come and live with us - you'd have to live with my dh and the kids. wouldn't wish that on anyone!

[Dino]

It's difficult isn't it. Have you tried asking around at school? I know many mums like to have the summer off but there might be someone already working who is looking for a new job and are used to working in the holidays.

Hope you find someone, like you I would have the same problem here probably, although I haven't been brave enough to look for help yet. I really need to though.

Karen

[stour]

the last person i want is someone with kids at the same school as ours. i want both of us to be able to go to assembly / play in work time once in a blue moon and not be panicking about the phone. if all three had to be there how would we do it?

you're right though Karen - total pain in the arris.

[Seren]

yup, we're in wiltshire, between shaftesbury and salisbury in a converted farm! i have a sneaking suspicion that our rather beautiful middle of nowhere location is most of our problem!

i don't like to put the business name in posts as i like to be able to talk incognito if you see what i mean.

totally undestand.

Do they have to be at your location, could the phones be diverted to another location?

Can't remember if you have tried an agency, if not could this work, I know the finders fee is hard but it would get refunded if there was any problems.

[Dino]

the last person i want is someone with kids at the same school as ours. i want both of us to be able to go to assembly / play in work time once in a blue moon and not be panicking about the phone. if all three had to be there how would we do it?



You are quite right and no doubt whoever you employed from school would still have their priorities with their children, not your business.

Trying an agency might be an idea, although they charge I think, but you could have a temp and see how they get on. I take it you have tried the job centre.

Karen

[Boom]

Could a virtual assistant help?


[puts both hands up to volunteer for this]

Seriously though, PM me if you would consider this.

[Chiggs]

I was thinking maybe posting on a website forum where old people go, not sure where silver surfers post.



Saga Magazine have a website/forum (seriously!)

[Seren]

Saga Magazine have a website/forum (seriously!)

I wasn't sure if Saga did, that might not be a bad idea. My mil carried on working till she was past 65 and loved working part time hours.

[kazagain]

Good luck with your search - finding the right member of staff is a nightmare. The idea of business students on a one year placement sounds a good idea then at least you can say goodbye to them with no problems at the end of the year.

[stour]

well, after moaning, things seem to be on the upward path. from none, to three candidates suitable for interview. i might make it to the garden this summer after all! Hooray