Trainees

[osgood]

I am considering putting on a trainee and would like to know what type of person other framers have found to be best for them.

What qualities are important to look for?

Is age important?

 

[CharlesL]

Osgood,
The only 'employee' experience we had was a high school girl that worked part time. If we'd had a few like her at the Fone Company, our work force could've been cut in half!
Guess you're looking for full time help, and I can't help you much there. Most of these guys have employees. I imagine you'll get lots of suggestions.

 

[Jillcpf]

Osgood,

Well I am not allowed to make the hiring decisions at my place of employement I can tell you which new hires have worked out for us. The lady with 20 years of experience did not, She refused to meld into our team. A strong will is nice but hard headed is not. Steer clear of a person with "I" syndrom.

The Girl with dirty hair and finger nails also had stitcky fingers. A high honesty factor, and a strong notion of self worth is important.

Look for a neat person with a watch on, (indicates a focus on punctuality) with a good work history. Try to avoid person that left jobs for Personal reasons (couldn't get along co- workers)

These are the points my boss looks for.
and overlooked.

By the way, "where are you, and how much you payin'?"

 

[Kit]

We've hired some absolute disasters, all of whom interviewed well. The best advice I can offer is to make sure you have a 90-day grace period in the contract so that you can say "I'm sorry, this just isn't working out" without having to pay unemployment.

Good luck and I hope you get a winner first time out.

Kit

 

[Amy]

Osgood, we have had amazing luck with "print-makers", so much so, that when we need a new employee we go to the local art school and post it in the printmaking room. They tend to have an amazing attention to detail. College art students would be a broader description of our success'
And for what it's worth, I rarely wear a watch, but I have always been punctual.

 

[Jim Miller]

When I started this business 14 years ago, I stopped wearing a watch. Punctuality is important to me, and I am rarely late.

For a go-getter, it's either time to work, time to eat, or time to sleep, and he/she doesn't need a watch to tell the difference.

Now, to the original question:
Hire one that you think will work -- trust your instincts. Then make your expectations clear. Monitor performance to your expectations. Give accurate and timely feedback, whether good or bad. Praise often and publicly. Criticize constructively and privately. Finally, don't coddle anyone who falls short. If the expectations are clear and not achieved, take action to get him/her into good performance, or out. Everyone should find a job they like to do well.

 

[Ron Eggers]

Osgood,

I heard at one time that retired dentists make very good picture framers - attention to detail, and all that. I have yet to meet a retired dentist who wanted to be a picture framer.

I haven't had any employees for the last eight years or so, but I had, I think, 26 in the years before that. (Not all at the same time!) One of the best came to me through an intern program at the interior design program at the local technical college. He'd had no framing experience at all (no bad habits - I had to teach him those.) But he had the perfect temperment for the work.

Good luck with your search. I'd love to come and help out, but I have to be home every morning to walk the dog. Besides, I think I'm one of those "I" type personalities Jill was talking about.

Ron

 

[Lance E]

Osgood,
What is the job you have in mind for this person?
Shop floor, media arts students are very good, however they are of less use in the workshop IMHO.
Workshop staff, the best I've ever had was a school leaver with extraordinary marks in woodwork and engineering, this person progressed onto a furnitutre making course and still work for me two days a week. Very reliable and can easily be left to make decisions regarding joints etc.
Attitude makes the biggest difference, so during interviews take note of the bodylanguage used.

 

[UzZx32QU]

My two cents, is when interviewing see if the person has a hobby of making wooden models of ships, planes, or cars etc. Many of the same skills apply. I use to make R/C aircraft when a teenager and know the skills transfered.

framer

 

[osgood]

Thanks for all the replies!

It is something I'm not rushing into, but its has been really busy for the past few months and I am having difficulty keeping up.

I am also in need of a holiday sometime in the future, so it would be good to train someone so that I can have at least a few days off sometime in the next year or so. (Last holiday was 1996 in Cal. and Canada)

Lance,
Your idea about a woodworker is a good one. I was always top of my class in woodwork and was a woodwork, metalwork, tech drawing teacher about 30 years ago myself.

Framer,
I have also been down the model aeroplane and boats track myself.

Please keep the tips coming!

 

[ArtLady]

In addition to skill and attention to detail, I think I would consider attitude, short term and long term goals. A little experience with color and design is nice. A sprinkling of desire to work in the industry could help also. I will send you a questioneer for phone interviews so that you don't have to personally interview everyone. It worked for me. I have the best employee you could ask for. He has all of the above.

 

[wpfay]

Two of my best employees have come from college photo programs. Like the printmakers, there is attention to detail, and technical knowledge. Both were avid bicycling enthusiasts, and fairly good mechanics.
I knew when hiring them that they would be leaving me sooner or later, but they both worked out well in the meanwhile.
I generally know if they will work out real quickly, the first time I get busy with a client and they finish a project or need direction. If they don't pick up a broom, they won't work out.

 

[osgood]

Originally posted by ArtLady:
I will send you a questioneer for phone interviews so that you don't have to personally interview everyone. It worked for me. I have the best employee you could ask for. He has all of the above.

Thanks for your offer to send me your questionaire. It will be greatly appreciated!

 

[amanda]

College art students!