Why can't I get any applicants?
Discussion
soad said:
This isn't the first time, right? I recall your previous thread...
I do too.Same answer; pay more or have an overall more attractive package (benefits) until you start attracting the staff you would hire. If this means you also have to raise your prices to compensate then consider that too.
Re the badge; offer a full refund after 12 months in role?
Offer further training such as first aid, advanced driving etc?
Hope that helps
If you are posting on job boards only and drivers know the market rates then they will set their search criteria appropriately. Despite your additional benefits of not having to fund fuel and car, if prospective candidates are searching based on a minimum salary then your job won't even appear in their list.
rog007 said:
soad said:
This isn't the first time, right? I recall your previous thread...
I do too.Same answer; pay more or have an overall more attractive package (benefits) until you start attracting the staff you would hire. If this means you also have to raise your prices to compensate then consider that too.
Re the badge; offer a full refund after 12 months in role?
Offer further training such as first aid, advanced driving etc?
Hope that helps
Benefits? The driver only has to drive. They have a fully expensed car. They work set shifts with overtime if they want it. I don't provide first aid training and wouldn't consider it. I don't need to. I already offer to fund the badge costs upfront with the option to pay it back over a period of time. I am not able to pay for someone to gain a taxi badge and then not show up/work for the opposition/themselves at my expense. At a cost of about £250 per badge, it's not feasible. Raising prices is not an option either, we are governed by what we can charge by the local council. They set the meter rates.
Tyre Smoke said:
I cannot afford to pay more. Simple economics.
Benefits? The driver only has to drive. They have a fully expensed car. They work set shifts with overtime if they want it. I don't provide first aid training and wouldn't consider it. I don't need to. I already offer to fund the badge costs upfront with the option to pay it back over a period of time. I am not able to pay for someone to gain a taxi badge and then not show up/work for the opposition/themselves at my expense. At a cost of about £250 per badge, it's not feasible. Raising prices is not an option either, we are governed by what we can charge by the local council. They set the meter rates.
You asked and have been given opinions which you clearly don't want to hear.Benefits? The driver only has to drive. They have a fully expensed car. They work set shifts with overtime if they want it. I don't provide first aid training and wouldn't consider it. I don't need to. I already offer to fund the badge costs upfront with the option to pay it back over a period of time. I am not able to pay for someone to gain a taxi badge and then not show up/work for the opposition/themselves at my expense. At a cost of about £250 per badge, it's not feasible. Raising prices is not an option either, we are governed by what we can charge by the local council. They set the meter rates.
So why do you think you are not getting any response? It could also be simple economics from the prospective employees view.
Maybe you should consider self employed drivers, that solves many of the financial issues you refer too.
Monkeylegend said:
Tyre Smoke said:
I cannot afford to pay more. Simple economics.
Benefits? The driver only has to drive. They have a fully expensed car. They work set shifts with overtime if they want it. I don't provide first aid training and wouldn't consider it. I don't need to. I already offer to fund the badge costs upfront with the option to pay it back over a period of time. I am not able to pay for someone to gain a taxi badge and then not show up/work for the opposition/themselves at my expense. At a cost of about £250 per badge, it's not feasible. Raising prices is not an option either, we are governed by what we can charge by the local council. They set the meter rates.
You asked and have been given opinions which you clearly don't want to hear.Benefits? The driver only has to drive. They have a fully expensed car. They work set shifts with overtime if they want it. I don't provide first aid training and wouldn't consider it. I don't need to. I already offer to fund the badge costs upfront with the option to pay it back over a period of time. I am not able to pay for someone to gain a taxi badge and then not show up/work for the opposition/themselves at my expense. At a cost of about £250 per badge, it's not feasible. Raising prices is not an option either, we are governed by what we can charge by the local council. They set the meter rates.
So why do you think you are not getting any response? It could also be simple economics from the prospective employees view.
Maybe you should consider self employed drivers, that solves many of the financial issues you refer too.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
You clearly hadn't read the advert properly, because the hourly rate isn't £8.75 an hour. You made you comment based on your own sweeping assumptions. I'm very happy to answer and engage with anyone but if you can't be bothered to read the post and any pertinent links properly, then don't expect a long winded reply explaining where you went wrong.Personally I think the problem is the contract, 40 hours per week, no late nights?
Most taxi/Uber drivers I know do it because it fits around another job as extra income. Most of this income, if it is cash is undeclared. A lot of taxi trade will be at night time as pubs/clubs kick out and be quite lucrative.
You are offering none of that.
Most taxi/Uber drivers I know do it because it fits around another job as extra income. Most of this income, if it is cash is undeclared. A lot of taxi trade will be at night time as pubs/clubs kick out and be quite lucrative.
You are offering none of that.
zetec said:
Personally I think the problem is the contract, 40 hours per week, no late nights?
Most taxi/Uber drivers I know do it because it fits around another job as extra income. Most of this income, if it is cash is undeclared. A lot of taxi trade will be at night time as pubs/clubs kick out and be quite lucrative.
You are offering none of that.
Because that is not our business. We need day time drivers as well. It's a mix. We don't do a lot during the week in the evenings because of where we are (quite rural). And it's not 40 hours it's 35 at £10/hr.Most taxi/Uber drivers I know do it because it fits around another job as extra income. Most of this income, if it is cash is undeclared. A lot of taxi trade will be at night time as pubs/clubs kick out and be quite lucrative.
You are offering none of that.
As stated before, the going rate locally for shelf stackers in Aldi is less than £8.00/hr. G4S cash drivers get £11.50ish HGV drivers are getting £13/hr. I don't think our hourly rate is uncompetitive.
Another very good point that is coming across is that it is four weeks upfront training costs with no job guarantee.
That is not necessarily the case.
The time is due to how long it takes for the CRB check to come back, the local council to do their reference checks, etc. Once the paperwork is done, the only involvement from the candidate is to physically take their driving standards test (in their own car or ours, we don't mind) and have a medical from their GP.
I might well be able to offer some work if they are out of work depending on the candidate. For instance they could do some taxi controlling - which would benefit me and them. Me because I've got a back up controller and them because they can see the job from both sides.
We are only a small company, it wouldn't be possible to pay someone for the time they are unable to drive unless they are contributing something to us.
Somehow I need to get it across that it is not four weeks unpaid upfront training with no job guarantee at the end. In fact, unless they are a complete knob then it's pretty much guaranteed they will have a job once they have the badge. But to put "guaranteed job" or something is sounding a bit desperate isn't it?
That is not necessarily the case.
The time is due to how long it takes for the CRB check to come back, the local council to do their reference checks, etc. Once the paperwork is done, the only involvement from the candidate is to physically take their driving standards test (in their own car or ours, we don't mind) and have a medical from their GP.
I might well be able to offer some work if they are out of work depending on the candidate. For instance they could do some taxi controlling - which would benefit me and them. Me because I've got a back up controller and them because they can see the job from both sides.
We are only a small company, it wouldn't be possible to pay someone for the time they are unable to drive unless they are contributing something to us.
Somehow I need to get it across that it is not four weeks unpaid upfront training with no job guarantee at the end. In fact, unless they are a complete knob then it's pretty much guaranteed they will have a job once they have the badge. But to put "guaranteed job" or something is sounding a bit desperate isn't it?
Sa Calobra said:
I think the driving job is more than attractive.
The issue is where you have advertised it.
I wouldn't even dream of advertising jobs at the DWP.
Tried the local paper and two weeks on say jobsite?
Title it 'fancy a change in career' etc.
Local paper is ridiculously expensive - £500 per week expensive.The issue is where you have advertised it.
I wouldn't even dream of advertising jobs at the DWP.
Tried the local paper and two weeks on say jobsite?
Title it 'fancy a change in career' etc.
However, local bus shelters are quite cheap and good value. £140 per week and obviously on display 24/7
One of the most effective methods in my experience is asking existing staff to share the advert on social media. Most will naturally include an endorsement as to what a great company it is to work for (assuming they really think it is!).
They're obviously not obliged to do this (and you'd be mad to try and force it) but in my experience most are happy to help. Especially if you offer a modest 'recommend a friend' bonus for candidates who secure the position and complete a probationary period.
They're obviously not obliged to do this (and you'd be mad to try and force it) but in my experience most are happy to help. Especially if you offer a modest 'recommend a friend' bonus for candidates who secure the position and complete a probationary period.
J_Mitch84 said:
One of the most effective methods in my experience is asking existing staff to share the advert on social media. Most will naturally include an endorsement as to what a great company it is to work for (assuming they really think it is!).
They're obviously not obliged to do this (and you'd be mad to try and force it) but in my experience most are happy to help. Especially if you offer a modest 'recommend a friend' bonus for candidates who secure the position and complete a probationary period.
We already do this. We offer £100 to our staff for recruitment.They're obviously not obliged to do this (and you'd be mad to try and force it) but in my experience most are happy to help. Especially if you offer a modest 'recommend a friend' bonus for candidates who secure the position and complete a probationary period.
Tyre Smoke said:
I'm grateful for all opinions. I was simply pointing out the industry limitations that you may not be aware of. Self employed drivers are even harder to find. Everyone want the 'security' of being employed. The problem is not the pay level, it is competitive in this part of the UK, it's more a case of nobody has a work ethic anymore and would rather live off benefits.
Maybe the simple economics are your business might not be viable ?If your only prepared to pay £9 hour and nobody's applying then either you pay more or you have no drivers .
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