Why can't I get any applicants?
Discussion
I run a small taxi company in Devon. I pay my drivers an hourly rate, they are employed. They get 28 days paid leave per year and can join the contributory pension scheme. We don't generally do the late nights and drunks. We have good contracts with schools and hospitals and I know we pay better than anyone else in the area.
I'm also looking for controllers, and apart from the 'I'm applying to keep my dole check rolling' I'm getting no applicants. We pay better than the local supermarkets and the job is a lot easier.
Driver Job
Controller Job
Any helpful constructive criticism would be much appreciated. For reference, local HGV drivers are getting £13/hr and Stagecoach pay just over £10/hr I think. Aldi pay minimum wage for shelf stacking/till work day and night shift.
I'm also looking for controllers, and apart from the 'I'm applying to keep my dole check rolling' I'm getting no applicants. We pay better than the local supermarkets and the job is a lot easier.
Driver Job
Controller Job
Any helpful constructive criticism would be much appreciated. For reference, local HGV drivers are getting £13/hr and Stagecoach pay just over £10/hr I think. Aldi pay minimum wage for shelf stacking/till work day and night shift.
Appreciate that feedback.
To compare, most other taxi drivers are self employed on commission with no paid holiday. This is a major step up from that. My drivers typically take home around £400 per week with about ten hours overtime through the week. Drivers working for our competitors on commission earn about £600 per week on a good week, out of that they have to finance and insure and fuel their vehicle. For that they would work ten hours a day over six days - and no paid holiday or pension.
The controller job is sitting behind a desk answering the phone and inputting data onto a computer screen pretty much.
To compare, most other taxi drivers are self employed on commission with no paid holiday. This is a major step up from that. My drivers typically take home around £400 per week with about ten hours overtime through the week. Drivers working for our competitors on commission earn about £600 per week on a good week, out of that they have to finance and insure and fuel their vehicle. For that they would work ten hours a day over six days - and no paid holiday or pension.
The controller job is sitting behind a desk answering the phone and inputting data onto a computer screen pretty much.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
The bit in bold is without doubt true. However, i need to somehow get across that we're not like that. A very valid point about the shift thing. I obviously know it's a regular shift pattern, and haven't got that over at all clearly. Thank you very much for pointing that out. I'll change it. The same for the controller job. I need to see what I can do about the time to get the badge. The thing is, I simply cannot afford to have someone being paid to not drive a taxi. I suppose there is some option for them to do some controlling, but not everyone is suited to each role if you see what I mean. The total cost of a badge initially is about £280.00 and the thing is, I wouldn't have any problem paying that providing the driver stays with me. But the badge belongs to the individual and not the company, therefore they could tap me up for the badge, and then either start up on their own or work for the opposition. Putting a clause in their contract is not really a viable option as there is a lot of damage to reputation, etc that a very disgruntled driver can do. Not to mention damage to the vehicle.
The jobs are on Indeed. And in shop windows locally and via all social media with boosted posts. And on the taxis.
Ironically the worst applicants have come via Indeed. Utter dross who are from tens of miles away just box ticking for their dole money.
I think the core problem is getting it over that we aren't a bunch of scumbags with a smoke filled office and it's actually a decent job. I've addressed the ambiguity over the shifts, which was a good point.
I'll give some thought to the badge issue. The problem being it could be a deal killer if I suddenly drop it on someone sat in front of me who thinks they're going to start tomorrow.
Ironically the worst applicants have come via Indeed. Utter dross who are from tens of miles away just box ticking for their dole money.
I think the core problem is getting it over that we aren't a bunch of scumbags with a smoke filled office and it's actually a decent job. I've addressed the ambiguity over the shifts, which was a good point.
I'll give some thought to the badge issue. The problem being it could be a deal killer if I suddenly drop it on someone sat in front of me who thinks they're going to start tomorrow.
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.
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.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
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.
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!
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.
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