CHICAGO — This summer’s American Drycleaner Your Views survey asked the trade audience, “What sort of success did you have when you last looked to hire?” Here is what respondents revealed:
Twenty-three percent said, “When we last hired, we found a Home Run hire.” Another 37% “had some hits, some strikeouts.” “Last time up, we weren’t seeing good ones, we chased bad pitches,” reported 17% of respondents. “Last time up, it didn’t go well, hard to find help, we struck out,” laments 20%. “We decided not to hire at all, so we never even got up to bat,” says 3%.
The survey also asked, “When you hired last, where did you look for help and how did that go for you?”
Some answers are as follows:
- “Indeed, social media posts.”
- “Previous applicants, currently/previously employed at other cleaners.”
- “Snagajob website.”
- “Craigslist.”
- “Social media, placed signage in our storefront, and offered a bonus to employees who referred a new hire.”
- “Online, newspaper publications.”
- “I used Indeed and it worked well.”
- “We tried radio, Craigslist, ZipRecruiter, sign on window, and word of mouth.”
- “Walk-in.”
- “Craigslist works for me.”
- “Asked current employees.”
The survey asked dry cleaners: “When you last looked for help for your counter, routes or plant, how were the responses from your hiring efforts?”
“Only fair, some applicants but not really any candidates,” said 35%. For 24%, it was, “It didn’t go as well as we wanted, it was hard to find good help.”
“Mostly OK, we received some applicants and some candidates,” reported a 21% share. Then, there were equal shares of 10% that said, “Positive, we were getting applicants and candidates” or “Not well, we had to stop looking, or never got started.”
Lastly, the survey asked: “Have you ever hired a home run team member and what did you learn about the process?”
Some respondent answers were:
- “Day-to-day tryouts, for the first three days.”
- “I’ve found no matter how much you probe, ask the right questions, and do background work, it all comes down to luck.”
- “We have hired many good people but have also miscalculated. Process is difficult and not fail-safe. A lot is learned each time.”
- “Yes, when you get the chance, do it. It might cost more and may even upset the current situation. However, it will pay big dividends in the long run.”
- “Yes. It was just a matter of numbers. Eventually, a home run crossed our plate.”
The Your Views survey offers a current snapshot of the trade audience’s views. Qualified subscribers to American Drycleaner e-mails are invited to participate anonymously in the unscientific poll.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].