Be Creative
One of the challenges Interiorscpers face today is how and where to find service technicians.  In the past we would place Want Ads in the newspaper but in today’s employment market we rarely get the response we desire.  What to do?  Get creative.  First, think of what qualities you want, the age range, the social skills needed, and the compensation you can afford to pay.  Next, get rid of old ideas and think of new demographic that could still fit your template.

Think Target Groups
In today’s world there are many industries that want the same type of employee you are seeking.  Fast food chains are going after the student and the senior citizens to fill their needs.  Walmart, Target and the like also go after Senior Citizens.  Exterior companies look at ethnic populations to fill their needs.  Salaries for these employees often come close to the pay scale Interiorscapers can pay.  Lots of companies looking for the same employee.

Solutions?
Some time ago I suggested that one creative solution would be to contact Churches that have a large ethnic population as members.  For example, many Catholic churches with a large Hispanic membership have omnsbudsman to help these members find employment.  If you contact one of these, you just might find a plethora of competent, honest, individuals that would be perfect for your company.  Of course, with any employee you hire you want a familiarity with the Language, a clean drivers license and government compliant paperwork.  Tell this up front to the Church’s liaison. 

One company I know, a plastic molding factory found what now makes up 50% of its workforce at a Church that has sponsored Russian refugees.   They report that this has been a godsend.  In-fact, now they do not even have to contact the Church, the family members of already hired workers bring in Aunt  Mila, Uncle Ivan and so on. 

You Just Never Know
Last evening I was getting my nails done at one of the several Nail Salons run by Vietnamese in my town in Ohio.  There are a bunch of places like this around, probably a few in your city as well.   Somewhere along the line someone discovered that they could train nail technicians from this group and, now, there is probably not a town or city in the US that does not have such an establishment.  So, while sitting there watching my nails become pearly pink, I asked the technician who also happened to be the Manager, if 12-14 dollars an hour would be a good and fair wage for someone who is a nail tech.  Her answer?  Absolutely.  Even with tips her techs make less than that.  My next question was about how to reach this group.  Would I contact some Church?  Buddhist Temple? 

Nope, she replied.  Buddhist temples are few.  She suggested posting a notice on a Bulletin Board at the local Oriental food grocery or restaurant. 

Go Where They Go
Now, that is a great idea.  Post your Help Wanted notices where the target group goes and see what results develop.  Again, its all about being a little quirky, a little intuitive, and a little creative.  Good Luck and, if this works, you owe me dinner……..Vietnamese of course.