Saturday, October 8, 2011

Attitude is Everything

   I have hired hundreds of people over the course of my career.  In the construction industry there are only two good times to hunt for work, the first thing in the morning before work begins and at the end of the day when you realize that an extra hand could have been useful.  All of the other hours are a distraction and I have planned my day based on what I have.
   The worst resumes were those with twenty year's experience and no tools of the trade.  If you don't take care of yourself I know you won't take care of me.  A good painter is picky and has his own brushes.  Every Skill Saw is a little different and a good carpenter is used to his own.
   Looking back, my favorite employees were the one's who insisted that I hire them.  They wouldn't take "no" for an answer and would show up repeatedly at my shop, often before I did, always asking if they were needed today.  Some would offer to work one day for free, again that attitude, "try me out, I know you will like me"!
   Attitude is everything on a construction site and I suspect a lot of other work environments.  Really, I am after a "can do" attitude but also a "will do" attitude.  Someone not afraid to get dirty and not limitted by a job description and can do it all with a smile.  I can teach anything but you have to be willing to learn.
  
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4 comments:

Autumn Leaves said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Awesome attitude indeed!

T. said...

To bad more employers don't hire the way you do. It's hard now days to even get the opportunity to look an employer in the eye and show him/her your can do attitude. It's all based on your resume. Which makes it much harder for those just starting out, many of which don't even get a chance.

Timaree said...

I think this world is a bit different today. I understand that employers are actually putting "must be presently employed" in their ads for hirees. I would have thought that would be discrimination. And with so many businesses laying people off, a person without a job is not necessarily a bad one to hire. They could be better in attitude and capabilities than any present person on their workforce but the employers don't even want to hear from them. Then when you do get in with your resume it's taken care of by the Human Resource personnel. You might be a good fit for the job but if they don't like something about you you are gone before you even get to say boo to the boss who might have liked your attitude and given you a try.