can't find good help

[RobertLangdon]

Need to find good counter help. Have run three different ads for a week at a time in my local paper. Spent over $1500.00. Where else can I look for help? Can you give me some sample ads maybe my ads are not so good(i thought they were)

2nd question:
Should you hire and experienced (maybe over payed) counter man or train someone that has a lot of potential. I have a pretty large wholesale business and phones are just going nuts so I NEED HELP

[Farfinator@aol.com]

You could try any of these on-line resources:
needtechs.com
needmanagers.com
autojobs.com
autojobz.com
autoprosearch.com
autocareers.com
autohelpwanted.com
carcareers.com
cardealerjobs.com
motorcareers.com
bestautopros.com
As for whether you should choose a trainee or seasoned individual, that obviously depends on your time, ability to train, personel expense limits and immediate needs.
I always liked training and bringing along new talent, and promoting from within. You are often just lucky if you are able to find that magic individual with specific computer knowledge + product knowledge + dealership experience + complimentary attitude and common sense. Its far easier to look for a good attitude with a brain and commit to developing the rest. After all, the fundamentals of billing parts to an RO is pretty simple and todays EPCs are fairly user friendly. But, bad habits and prejudices are enormously difficult and time consuming to remedy, if not impossible.

[Mike Davis]

I have always spoken with the vocational schools about applicants. Every automotive program in the country is full of people that love cars and want to be part of this business. Unfortunately we all know that the desire isn't always matched with a level of skill and ability that allows all of these vocational students to become technicians. Speak with the instructors and find a kid that is excited about the car business but is not among those that will earn a living as a technician. You'll get an employee that has the technical knowledge and can speak the language which while it isn't a necessity is an asset for the employee and wants to participate in the field. This is an area that many of us overlook and the instructors don't always see this possibility and career path.



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Mike

[fburrows]

Robert:

Another source is a counterman at a NAPA store or an independent jobber. Although obviously you will have to do some training you are training a person who is familiar with automotive parts, computers, bins and lots of other non-manufacturer specific stuff. You might try a ad specifically targeting this type of individual. We were able to get several of these people up to speed very quickly and they turned out to be great sales people.


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Frank Burrows
Automotive Business Solutions
frank@autobusiness.org

[Gary J. Naples]

Hi Robert,

Mike Davis makes a good point about Vo-tech schools. They are indeed an excellent employee source. I can speak from personal experience because I teach part time at a local community college with an extensive automotive program.

However, before you look on the outside be certain you've exhausted all options from within. Are there any techs who don't want to turn wrenches anymore? Any bodyshop people looking for a change? Can any dealership employees recommend someone for the position? Another option to consider are auto clubs. The members have an innate interest in the automobile industry. And, don't forget other dealerships and your competitors as sources. Employees there may be looking to move on if the offer is attractive or they want a change of environment.

In any case, be open to all potential candidates in or out of the industry. If you have a good selection process in place at the dealership job fit should not be an obstacle. Likewise, you should have a comprehensive training program for all new employees that is flexible to their level of expertise, but one that also imparts organizational policy and proceedure.

[jefffew]

hello what type of dealership are you and what location