Suggestions on finding/screening help?

Willowynd · #1 04/02/10, 01:39 AM

I have tried to find help before through community boards...the applicants were few or unable to work the hours needed or one teen came and observed chores that I would need done while I worked for a few hours and shown what else needed done that summer then never came back. One person who applied was actually hired by a freind of mine to finish a second house she had bought and he wound up taking all the wiring out of the house and turning it on as scrap before he left for another state.
Now I am finding myself needing some assitance around the homestead again as DH is working 12 hours a day between 2 jobs and I am working part time and I just don't have the ability or strength (yet- just started back at the gym and working on strength training) to do some of the things that need to be done around here. My sons are either out of state or don't do what they are asked to do or fail to show up when really needed. Any suggestions on where and how to find good help?

luvrulz · #2 04/02/10, 01:47 AM

Do you know any of the poeple at your extension office? They might know of someone - we have a radio swap shop and you can advertise on there for hired help. We also have interns coming this summer to help. We have called to the high school and asked the agriculture teacher if he knew of someone that might be interested in putting a few hours helping with planting and stuff. Try some of them!

starjj · #3 04/02/10, 07:41 AM

I fill your pain but have no suggestions. I need work done also but have not been able to find help unless they want to be paid very high. It would seem to me that people are needing work but don't really WANT work. I don't mind decent pay but what some want is ridulous.

ronbre · #4 04/02/10, 09:33 AM

check with the local amish population if you have any,they are often really hard skilled workers and you can trust them

Wolf mom · #5 04/02/10, 10:56 AM

Referrals through friends or church only.

Mel- · #6 04/02/10, 10:57 AM

sons have any sons? my best help has come from nephews who are too young to work anywhere else yet (under 16) or those needing some extra money besides their regular jobs. I can usually pay them between 7-10 depending on how hard the labor is. unfortunately, the oldest batch is all grown up now and the youngest batch are still under 10 so too little to help

belladulcinea · #7 04/02/10, 11:48 AM

I usually hire the son of one of my church friends. I have several to chose from, most have been to vo-tech or worked with dads/grandpas and I can tell on them to their mothers if they don't do what I want!

Which I don't! They are hard workers just need some direction.

I have one that is building my new 4x4 garden boxes that will hold vining trellis', his granddad is going to supervise him.

I have one that mows and weedeats, he's the son of the guy who mowed our lawn when he was in high school and college.

So we've mostly hired 15-18 year olds where we know both them and their families.

Willowynd · #8 04/02/10, 08:40 PM

Amish is too far away. I don;t know anyone from the extension office, but could call over there and ask- great idea. My sons are young- my grandbabies are 1 yrs and under

I called my HS before - that was the teen that never came back. I have asked freinds- no go. Sadly, I am not active in a church- long story short- I am catholic- hubby is baptist and neither of our churches gave the spouse a warm welcome. The baptist preacher that married us even told me I was a dead branch on the tree of life because of my faith.
I'll start with the extension office and work from there.