How to search for good potential employees
The coffee shop I help manage will be looking to hire soon, and it always seems like the majority of applications we receive are from high schoolers who are unable to work in the morning when we really need help. Does anyone have a strategy for finding applicants who are maybe older and have morning availability? The owners and I are a little afraid of the stampede of people we might receive if we placed a help wanted ad in the paper.
I feel like I should mention that I'm writing from Ohio. The coffee culture is slowly growing, but, as a state, we're pretty much still coming out of the dark ages of Folgers and percolators.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Perrine on
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Local colleges or culinary institutes.
We're going to tap that when we're ready to hire.
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Permalink Reply by Jared Rutledge on
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i got like 100 resumés from a craigslist ad and i can't recall a single one being from a high schooler. seems like high schoolers don't read craigslist as much? just put an age limit in the ad
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Permalink Reply by Matthew Pitts on
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My first thought is to communicate with any trust worthy customers. See if they know of anyone.
Make sure they are trainable, & not someone who says they "already know how to do everything."
At my shop we have this same problem. All these kids apply because they think it's a "cool" job. Without thinking that it's actually WORK.
Good luck to you.
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Permalink Reply by alissa mendonça on
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i'm pretty sure its against the law to say your business has an age limit to be employed there...
Jared Rutledge said:i got like 100 resumés from a craigslist ad and i can't recall a single one being from a high schooler. seems like high schoolers don't read craigslist as much? just put an age limit in the ad
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Permalink Reply by mo'joe on
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my craigslist ad constantly got flagged/removed for saying something to the effect of:
"flexible scheduling, shift meal and all the coffee you can drink makes a perfect place for the college student"
whoever was doing CL policing was probably pretty anal, and since i couldn't tell why, I asked what gives on the CL companion forum and learned using language that might even suggested age was a factor was illegal ( and violated CL policy)
alissa mendonca said:i'm pretty sure its against the law to say your business has an age limit to be employed there...
Jared Rutledge said:i got like 100 resumés from a craigslist ad and i can't recall a single one being from a high schooler. seems like high schoolers don't read craigslist as much? just put an age limit in the ad
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it's not illegal (at least federally) to discriminate against a younger person in favor of an older person.
http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/age.cfm
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Permalink Reply by Nyssa on
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Thanks for your ideas, everyone! I've asked a couple of regulars for recommendations, and I've proposed the idea of a craigslist ad to the owners. It hadn't occurred to be me that high schoolers generally don't use craigslist, but you're totally right!
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Permalink Reply by Brady on
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Since you have specific availability requirements for the available position, perhaps just making that requirement very clear will take care of your problem?
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Permalink Reply by Gigi on
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We post on fairly regularly. We often get a number of responses from people in other countries looking for "sponsors", a bunch from people who are very limited in their availability ("I can work every 3rd Monday from 1pm - 3pm and no weekends"), several from the "already know how to do everything" types and a few who actually seem coherent and might have some potential. Of those few, a very small percentage actually take the time to fill out an application, return it and come in for an interview. We've hired some good people through craigslist, but you have to wade through alot of duds to find them. Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Christopher Hollinger on
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What I have been doing is using craigslist and telling them they MUST send a resume or they wont get a reply. That weeds out at least those that can't follow simple directions as well as most highschoolers as they don't have any work experience. Also you can cheat and look at their education area to see is they are currently taking classes. BYI Go Bucks!
Gahanna Chris
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just call them. they ghosted my ad and i just called their customer support and they took care of it for me.
mo'joe said:my craigslist ad constantly got flagged/removed for saying something to the effect of:
"flexible scheduling, shift meal and all the coffee you can drink makes a perfect place for the college student"
whoever was doing CL policing was probably pretty anal, and since i couldn't tell why, I asked what gives on the CL companion forum and learned using language that might even suggested age was a factor was illegal ( and violated CL policy)
alissa mendonca said:i'm pretty sure its against the law to say your business has an age limit to be employed there...
Jared Rutledge said:i got like 100 resumés from a craigslist ad and i can't recall a single one being from a high schooler. seems like high schoolers don't read craigslist as much? just put an age limit in the ad
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Permalink Reply by EspressoFein on
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I find when you get what you pay for. When you are paying more you will get more quality applicants. It is up to the person interviewing to be picky. I look for people who are trainable, not necessarily experienced( sometimes you get both, which is great) Most people interview 2 people and hire at least one of them. Go through application and pre-screen and rule out at that point. I have certain criteria i use to move applicants to my interview process.
If you want quality people, post jobs in quality places, like Barista Exchange. Good luck with your hunting.
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