Summer students can be the worst or best thing to happen to your business.
Their inexperience may cause your other car wash employees to have to work harder. Or their youth and hunger for that first reference will prove them to be workhorses.
So let’s make sure you hire the right one this summer.
Protect Yourself and Your Customers
This hire may be particularly tough in your first year, and you’re hiring for the first time. You may find yourself going with gut feeling just get someone seemingly reliable in the role ASAP.
In an article called Hiring Your First Employee at Entrepreneur.com, expert Erika Welz Prafder advises you to actually ignore your instincts and do your homework.
“Whether your new recruit will be filing reports or configuring computer networks, realize that criminal, under-qualified, and emotionally unstable minds hide in all uniforms and job titles.”
“In reality, nearly 40 percent of all job applications and resumes include bogus or inflated facts.”
So always call to check references and Google businesses you’ve never heard of.
The Type of Experience is More Important Than The Amount
Of course, it would be great to hire nothing but previous car wash employees. But that’s clearly not always an option.
So take a look at the experience they do have, and ask how it relates to your business.
“Small companies often do best with flexible candidates who are used to smaller environments. In many cases, the ideal candidate can operate with a great deal of autonomy and doesn’t require hand-holding,” said an article by the Wall Street Journal.
“In a big company, there are rules, regulations and processes to do everything. In a small company, there often are no set jobs and everyone may do a bit of everything.”
Be Careful of Nepotism
It’s too easy to hire a niece, nephew, or friend’s child. This is seemingly how so many kids get their first summer gig.
We don’t have to tell you this can blow up in your face if things don’t work out. There can also be legal implications.
“Trouble can arise if a company advertises a vacant job and then fills it with an employee’s relative who clearly is less qualified than, say, a female or minority applicant, wrote Klaus Kneale at Forbes.com.
“Even if discrimination is not the intent, this can be dangerous territory, but the solution is easy. If the job opening is never publicly advertised, it’s almost impossible for anyone to cry foul over nepotism.”
This is obviously a bigger problem for larger companies and corporations. But you need to stay aware of it.
Give Car Wash Employees the Right Tools
Of course, you always want to give them a chance to succeed, so give your employees the best tools and technology possible.
With more than 30 years experience, we know what your car wash needs to be profitable. Learn more about our car wash systems or contact us for more information.