When employers are struggling to fill open positions, it becomes even more important to be very selective during the hiring process. This may seem counterintuitive, but let me explain. Do you remember a time when it was relatively easy to fill an open position? I sure do. I recall looking through a stack of applications whenever a position opened up.... read more
Few people understand the daily pressures faced by landscape management business owners and managers. And fewer still realize that it’s people—both clients and employees—who are usually the source of these stresses. A mower may malfunction, but you can fix it and count on it to be there every day and on time, too. The handheld trimmer or brushcutter may be... read more
Ben Hardy quickly learned that when hiring field staff, acting fast is essential. Hardy, who leads the talent acquisition practice for consulting and recruiting firm McFarlin Stanford, previously worked in human resources for several landscape companies. He often found himself in a situation where he interviewed a candidate but had no supervisor accessible and available to interview the person for... read more
We’re all beginning to realize the power of social media and social media marketing for business. Notably, the most popular social media platform in the world is also a great place to advertise for new employees. Traditional job boards, such as Indeed, Job Monster, ZipRecruiter and more, are the first place many business owners go to place help wanted ads.... read more
Why—and how—some landscape companies are recruiting workers from Puerto Rico. Late last year, William Merkler was on vacation in Puerto Rico, thinking about how he would reconcile his landscape firm’s contracts with the new prevailing wage the Department of Labor told him he must pay his H-2B guest workers this year—a 17 percent increase. “We contacted our clients and told... read more
In the March 2016 Editor’s Note, Editor Marisa Palmieri highlighted an approach LM columnist Mel Kleiman recommends for recruiting new employees: the recruiting card. Potential employees are all around you, he says. Owners and managers struggling to find good workers should create these cards and hand them out whenever they receive good service. Recruiting cards are the same size as... read more
