Subscriber Discussion

Where Do You Find Techs?

DM
David Matyas
Feb 21, 2017

Where do you find techs? We are desperately looking for experienced techs and every resume we get is pretty worthless. We have tried indeed as well as craigslist.

 

Thanks

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U
Undisclosed #1
Feb 21, 2017

Hang out an ADI and Tri-Ed all day. You will catch a few techs there and start networking. However be careful of the techs that just love to go shopping all day at home depots, adi, graybar etc. LOL.

One thing you will find is a that the good ones will be very loyal to whom they are working for and my even take offense at the offer. It will come down to just how good you are as a recruiter and what you really have to offer as a comparison or future opportunity.

If you have a large back log of converting burg panels, no tech is going to walk away from his owner just for that fiasco. Good Luck!

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MM
Michael Miller
Feb 21, 2017

We are also struggling to find qualified experienced techs as we are looking to hire 4 more senior technicians.   There is definitely a shortage of skilled techs in the market at this point.

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UI
Undisclosed Integrator #2
Feb 21, 2017

Its pittiful hiring for any position these days. They dont proofread their resumes which have a good number of errors, which tells me if they cant take the time to proofread their resume, or ask someone to do it, that demonstrates their work right there. Or they just do not show to the interview with no professional courtesy cancellation.

And itll only get worse with time due to millenials who think they dont have to work to make $$$.

When I have a good employee, I ask them to find someone, whether it be a friend or whatever because typically anyone associated with said employee will share similar traits.

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UI
Undisclosed Integrator #5
Feb 22, 2017

I was with you until the millennial rant.

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U
Undisclosed #1
Feb 21, 2017

Just spend the $30 and run them thru the online Strengths Finder 2.0.

Second, see how efficient they are at Solitaire.

Third, ask if they can redline a card reader double door interfaced with a camera and alarm system.

Fourth, ask them how they deal with difficult people.

Fifth, ask them if they have any mentors they might aspire to be.

Sixth, could go on forever, however.

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JE
Jim Elder
Feb 21, 2017
IPVMU Certified

What a great question.  You may want to check out this site. The guy who founded it was president of Card Key and he specializes in this kind of staffing. I think his son runs the show now. Of course, it's not free. I would presume he also will work with you to find out why you are not getting eminently qualified techs knocking down your door to get a job (i.e. pay level, benefits, growth prospects, etc.). Here is another, I don't know anything about that seems to fit the bill... at least on their web site. I would bet there are many more out there. May also want to check trade organizations as well. There are some that post jobs and job openings as well. 

There are also a lot of high schools that have technical programs and technical colleges who will actively recruit for you (looks good on their marketing materials).  

I think the industry is changing.  I share your concerns.  

Maybe IPVM could offer this service??

 

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Avatar
Michael Silva
Feb 21, 2017
Silva Consultants

Don't forget to consider veterans/returning service people with appropriate backgrounds in electronics/telecommunications/IT/networking. Most vets have an exceptionally strong work ethic and will become heavily invested in any new job that they accept. 

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JE
Jim Elder
Feb 21, 2017
IPVMU Certified

Good point there Mike. Being a vet myself, i should have thought of that. 

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JH
John Honovich
Feb 21, 2017
IPVM

Michael, what is the best way to find / recruit veterans / returning service people in one's area?

DM
David Matyas
Feb 21, 2017

All the website I found want to charge a nice amount

UE
Undisclosed End User #10
Mar 05, 2017

Have you tried LinkedIn or ASIS?

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Michael Silva
Feb 22, 2017
Silva Consultants

In the past, one my clients has recruited vets at job fairs/career day events that were hosted by one of the larger military bases in my area, Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM). 

One of the local technical colleges in the area, Clover Park, also has a program specifically for low-voltage installers and because of its close proximity to JBLM, tends to get quite a few veterans as students. 

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UE
Undisclosed End User #10
Mar 05, 2017

Contact the bases around you, ask for the transition program office. I live near the Great Lakes Naval Base, thier transition office has a mailing list were they send out job announcements from around the country provided by H.R. Offices to vets and soon to be separated.

You could talk to others to see based off the position requirements that your wage offered is adequate or comparable to the group you are hoping to recruit from the military.

JH
John Honovich
Feb 21, 2017
IPVM

How about ask your end user customers what techs they have worked with at other local companies who they would recommend? They might even be willing to help recruit if you are their current provider and they think it might help get back an individual tech they liked in the past. Thoughts?

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UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #3
Feb 22, 2017

Have you tried an industrial staffing solution company? Here in the Northwest we have Madden Industrial Staffing. Basically a temp agency specializing in blue collar roughneck type work. I'm sure there are similar companies in your neck of the woods.

You might not get an experienced pro from within the industry, but you should at least get someone comfortable with climbing a ladder and swinging a hammer. 

 

 

 

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #4
Feb 22, 2017

Out of about 10 techs we've tried from a temp agency, none turned out and the temp agency (supposed to be specific to security) exaggerated their skill sets heavily.

One guy we got from a temp agency dropped a $1,200 Avigilon camera his first day from on top of an 8' ladder.

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UI
Undisclosed Integrator #6
Feb 22, 2017

I'm not a tech anymore, but I worked my contacts on LinkedIn and and found some opportunities.  This would probably work better for us office weenies but if you look at who your contacts are connected to you might get hooked up with someone who is looking for new opportunities. 

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JH
Jay Hobdy
Feb 22, 2017
IPVMU Certified

David I am laughing with ya bud. The last month has been utterly brutal for me. I have had 2 guys with company vehicles, all the materials, cameras etc not show up. Different story on each but needless to say it cost me a ton of time. I got the trucks and materials back, no issue there. But having a whole crew held up because the lead isn't there....

 

Man I could go on and on.... 

 

I had someone reach out to me about this board http://www.fireandsecurityjobs.net/

 

Funny things is when I questioned him about how known the site was, he made it seem like I was the only one who never heard of it. Yet I didn't see anyone mention it in this post.

 

 

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DM
David Matyas
Feb 22, 2017

I also got a call from them, but they were not able to give an real answers 

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #7
Feb 27, 2017

A total search of this site lists 6 open positions. I think they have good intentions but are just getting started. And no way to view resumes, just positions available.

Avatar
Tyler Blake
Feb 27, 2017
BCI Integrated Solutions

In my opinion I would hire a head hunter for sales positions.

 

For techs I would run a constant ad on indeed even when you are not hiring for resume collection. Partner with a local tech college for internship programs to get your developmental bench. Ask your Manufacturer's and distributors for your midrange tech. The superstar techs are like unicorns so just know you likely are not going to hire a 15 year vet and will have to settle on guys that will take some light training as a lot of techs have bad habits.

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UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #8
Feb 27, 2017

Stanley, Securitas/Diebold, and other nationals have been losing quality techs and technical managers through their excessive micromanagement and expectations (calls per day and call $ billing reports, etc.). If you need techs, have a manager hangout at the local distributor (ADI, etc.) to meet potential candidates, or post opportunities.

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UI
Undisclosed Integrator #9
Feb 28, 2017

We have had good luck with indeed, however, our best hires have been people who came through personal recomendations of industry contacts. "so and so has been doing this for 12 years, he knows what he is doing but he is unhappy there" type of things. Be careful though, I just got a nice love letter from a competitor who is convinced we are breaking his non-compete clauses. More than anything, find good people who want to do good work and give them a reason to love your company.

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