Why can't I get any applicants?
Discussion
Have you surveyed your drivers how they have searched for driving jobs in the past? What parameters, places or key words were they using?
Do the applicants need driving experience? What other type of applicants or skills/experience would cross over? If you add some of those into your advert your job will appear in searches of other applicants not searching for 'driver'.
Do the applicants need driving experience? What other type of applicants or skills/experience would cross over? If you add some of those into your advert your job will appear in searches of other applicants not searching for 'driver'.
Umm, I might have missed this but as you run a fleet of taxis, why not stick adverts on the taxis themselves? You are obviously trying to run a decent business and carry lots of people and so an advert inside the cab taped somewhere or a vinyl or magnetic sign stuck to the outside might work. (Or not, but it's cheap and easy to do).
Also, would you consider part-time or job share? Yours would be the perfect job to fit around another job. When I was young and skint, I would be all over something like this to supplement my normal job as I could do it on my days off.
Also, would you consider part-time or job share? Yours would be the perfect job to fit around another job. When I was young and skint, I would be all over something like this to supplement my normal job as I could do it on my days off.
egor110 said:
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 .
Two things.If your only prepared to pay £9 hour and nobody's applying then either you pay more or you have no drivers .
1. Clearly the business is viable it has been successfully trading for 20 years
2. Nowhere am I paying £9/hr
But thank you very much for your input.
Tyre Smoke said:
egor110 said:
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 .
Two things.If your only prepared to pay £9 hour and nobody's applying then either you pay more or you have no drivers .
1. Clearly the business is viable it has been successfully trading for 20 years
2. Nowhere am I paying £9/hr
But thank you very much for your input.
Bit of an update...
Today I interviewed two candidates, both look and sound promising. I took on board all the comments made on this thread and covered the badge cost, the notice period they are required to give, the guarantee of a job subject to receiving their badge.
First candidate was a deaf lad who is delivering pizzas. He was great. Speech was limited due to the deafness, but we covered all the being able to take instruction from passengers, etc. He is really looking for a chance to make something for himself, not just a dead end job because of his disability. I am sure he will be a great addition to the team. And a great asset. What other taxi company can offer sign language?
Second candidate was unhappy in his current job. I'm always a bit dubious of people who are just coming for an interview because they are not happy where they are. Obviously that is why you look for another job, but I hope you get my meaning. Anyway, came across as very pleasant and easy to talk to (good attribute for a driver) and was keen to learn all aspects of the business and be a bit of a 'Man Friday' which would be great for us, for our own holidays are a bit of a nightmare trying to ensure there is a responsible adult in charge!
Hopefully, thanks to the PH massif things are on the move. Thank you all!
Today I interviewed two candidates, both look and sound promising. I took on board all the comments made on this thread and covered the badge cost, the notice period they are required to give, the guarantee of a job subject to receiving their badge.
First candidate was a deaf lad who is delivering pizzas. He was great. Speech was limited due to the deafness, but we covered all the being able to take instruction from passengers, etc. He is really looking for a chance to make something for himself, not just a dead end job because of his disability. I am sure he will be a great addition to the team. And a great asset. What other taxi company can offer sign language?
Second candidate was unhappy in his current job. I'm always a bit dubious of people who are just coming for an interview because they are not happy where they are. Obviously that is why you look for another job, but I hope you get my meaning. Anyway, came across as very pleasant and easy to talk to (good attribute for a driver) and was keen to learn all aspects of the business and be a bit of a 'Man Friday' which would be great for us, for our own holidays are a bit of a nightmare trying to ensure there is a responsible adult in charge!
Hopefully, thanks to the PH massif things are on the move. Thank you all!
OP, if I lived in Devon and didn't have a mortgage or rent to pay, I'd work for you.
Worked as a courier and mini cab driver in the 80s and made really good money but the stories you hear nowadays, what with the costs of insurance, vehicle and fuel, sound awful.
For someone to take the headache of expenses and just pay you for your hours sounds good to me.
Unfortunately I'm in London and the rent on my tiny flat is close to what you are paying.
But it sounds the perfect job for the older person with house paid off and is close to or in retirement.
Have you tried aiming the job at those members of the community.
Worked as a courier and mini cab driver in the 80s and made really good money but the stories you hear nowadays, what with the costs of insurance, vehicle and fuel, sound awful.
For someone to take the headache of expenses and just pay you for your hours sounds good to me.
Unfortunately I'm in London and the rent on my tiny flat is close to what you are paying.
But it sounds the perfect job for the older person with house paid off and is close to or in retirement.
Have you tried aiming the job at those members of the community.
Tyre Smoke said:
Bit of an update...
Today I interviewed two candidates, both look and sound promising. I took on board all the comments made on this thread and covered the badge cost, the notice period they are required to give, the guarantee of a job subject to receiving their badge.
First candidate was a deaf lad who is delivering pizzas. He was great. Speech was limited due to the deafness, but we covered all the being able to take instruction from passengers, etc. He is really looking for a chance to make something for himself, not just a dead end job because of his disability. I am sure he will be a great addition to the team. And a great asset. What other taxi company can offer sign language?
Second candidate was unhappy in his current job. I'm always a bit dubious of people who are just coming for an interview because they are not happy where they are. Obviously that is why you look for another job, but I hope you get my meaning. Anyway, came across as very pleasant and easy to talk to (good attribute for a driver) and was keen to learn all aspects of the business and be a bit of a 'Man Friday' which would be great for us, for our own holidays are a bit of a nightmare trying to ensure there is a responsible adult in charge!
Hopefully, thanks to the PH massif things are on the move. Thank you all!
Fantastic news. If you end up employing the deaf guy and he's happy for you to do the following, then use it as publicity. I'm sure that will boost business.Today I interviewed two candidates, both look and sound promising. I took on board all the comments made on this thread and covered the badge cost, the notice period they are required to give, the guarantee of a job subject to receiving their badge.
First candidate was a deaf lad who is delivering pizzas. He was great. Speech was limited due to the deafness, but we covered all the being able to take instruction from passengers, etc. He is really looking for a chance to make something for himself, not just a dead end job because of his disability. I am sure he will be a great addition to the team. And a great asset. What other taxi company can offer sign language?
Second candidate was unhappy in his current job. I'm always a bit dubious of people who are just coming for an interview because they are not happy where they are. Obviously that is why you look for another job, but I hope you get my meaning. Anyway, came across as very pleasant and easy to talk to (good attribute for a driver) and was keen to learn all aspects of the business and be a bit of a 'Man Friday' which would be great for us, for our own holidays are a bit of a nightmare trying to ensure there is a responsible adult in charge!
Hopefully, thanks to the PH massif things are on the move. Thank you all!
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.
I’ve a really good work ethic, but that’s why I don’t have to work for £10 an hour as a taxi controller.You seem to want to blame everyone but you, but the only things in your control is you, not the population, so what are you going to do? What have you actually done to fix this while you have been complaining about others’ work ethics?
Edited by James_B on Friday 20th July 07:23
James_B said:
I’ve a really good work ethic, but that’s why I don’t have to work for £10 an hour as a taxi controller.
You seem to want to blame everyone but you, but the only things in your control is you, not the population, so what are you going to do? What have you actually done to fix this while you have been complaining about others’ work ethics?
£8 an hour according to the advert.You seem to want to blame everyone but you, but the only things in your control is you, not the population, so what are you going to do? What have you actually done to fix this while you have been complaining about others’ work ethics?
Edited by James_B on Friday 20th July 07:23
James_B said:
I’ve a really good work ethic, but that’s why I don’t have to work for £10 an hour as a taxi controller.
You seem to want to blame everyone but you, but the only things in your control is you, not the population, so what are you going to do? What have you actually done to fix this while you have been complaining about others’ work ethics?
Where have I blamed anyone?You seem to want to blame everyone but you, but the only things in your control is you, not the population, so what are you going to do? What have you actually done to fix this while you have been complaining about others’ work ethics?
Edited by James_B on Friday 20th July 07:23
And you might have a great work ethic, but you clearly have a less than perfect attitude. A good work ethic doesn't make you necessarily a good employee.
What is wrong working as a taxi controller? It's a great easy job that can work around home and family life. Or even a full time job to pay for extras.
[quote=Tyre Smoke
What is wrong working as a taxi controller? It's a great easy job that can work around home and family life. Or even a full time job to pay for extras.
[/quote]
What systems do you use for bookings and work allocation? I assume most of your bookings are still by phone ?
How much influence on allocation of work to your drivers do your controllers have, or is that all done automatically depending on which driver is nearest the job, or a top of the list allocation?
If the controllers are dealing direct with the public and allocating work to drivers I would suggest it is not always as easy and stress free as you are claiming.
A good controller can have a big impact on drivers earnings and efficiency, with the knock on effect of increasing or decreasing your companies car availability at peak times. You seem to be playing down the importance of this job with your pay offer at 13p above the minimum wage and your easy comment above.
What is wrong working as a taxi controller? It's a great easy job that can work around home and family life. Or even a full time job to pay for extras.
[/quote]
What systems do you use for bookings and work allocation? I assume most of your bookings are still by phone ?
How much influence on allocation of work to your drivers do your controllers have, or is that all done automatically depending on which driver is nearest the job, or a top of the list allocation?
If the controllers are dealing direct with the public and allocating work to drivers I would suggest it is not always as easy and stress free as you are claiming.
A good controller can have a big impact on drivers earnings and efficiency, with the knock on effect of increasing or decreasing your companies car availability at peak times. You seem to be playing down the importance of this job with your pay offer at 13p above the minimum wage and your easy comment above.
Monkeylegend said:
Tyre Smoke said:
What is wrong working as a taxi controller? It's a great easy job that can work around home and family life. Or even a full time job to pay for extras.
What systems do you use for bookings and work allocation? I assume most of your bookings are still by phone ?How much influence on allocation of work to your drivers do your controllers have, or is that all done automatically depending on which driver is nearest the job, or a top of the list allocation?
If the controllers are dealing direct with the public and allocating work to drivers I would suggest it is not always as easy and stress free as you are claiming.
A good controller can have a big impact on drivers earnings and efficiency, with the knock on effect of increasing or decreasing your companies car availability at peak times. You seem to be playing down the importance of this job with your pay offer at 13p above the minimum wage and your easy comment above.
I think I'm better qualified than you to tell you controlling my taxis is easy. However, I'm always interested to hear of any way I can decrease costs and increase profit. I also know what the going rate is in my area for a job of this type.
Tyre Smoke said:
Monkeylegend said:
Tyre Smoke said:
What is wrong working as a taxi controller? It's a great easy job that can work around home and family life. Or even a full time job to pay for extras.
What systems do you use for bookings and work allocation? I assume most of your bookings are still by phone ?How much influence on allocation of work to your drivers do your controllers have, or is that all done automatically depending on which driver is nearest the job, or a top of the list allocation?
If the controllers are dealing direct with the public and allocating work to drivers I would suggest it is not always as easy and stress free as you are claiming.
A good controller can have a big impact on drivers earnings and efficiency, with the knock on effect of increasing or decreasing your companies car availability at peak times. You seem to be playing down the importance of this job with your pay offer at 13p above the minimum wage and your easy comment above.
I think I'm better qualified than you to tell you controlling my taxis is easy. However, I'm always interested to hear of any way I can decrease costs and increase profit. I also know what the going rate is in my area for a job of this type.
And you advert for controllers clearly says £8 an hour.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff