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I need an administrative person whose responsibilities include quoting, preparing the paper work for production once the quote turns into a job, handling permits (less the drawings) and following up with subcontractors.
I have a candidate that has given me all indications that she would be an asset to the company and be able to get the job done on a timely basis, however, she has never been in the industry before.
Do you think it is possible to teach someone the industry or would I be asking for trouble.
I've tried the other route - someone with tons of sign experience, but they didn't have the administrative skills to get the job done.
We are debating whether its best to have someone with the right administrative skills and teach them the business, or, is it impossible to teach someone all the intricacies of this industry (in a relatively short time).
thanks for your input.
-------------------- Richard Swartz DeNyse Signs 4521 Industrial Access Road Douglasville, GA 30134 Posts: 101 | From: Douglasville, GA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Sometimes it's better, who's to say the other places they were working at were doing it right, if you do find a successfull person..are they going to want to work for you, or could you afford them? Tough dilemma
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1539 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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Definitely! Administrative skills are more important than know how to do the actual jobs you are administering. I hired my wife, who was trained in Bookkeeping and Legal Aid, she knew nothing of the sign industry. But she is a valuable employee, at accounting and bidding, and collecting the outstanding invoices. I have another employee I hired to take (my wife's place) I found her at a new and used car Dealer. She is Goooooood and she picked up the sign part in just a few months. Education,. or the ability to use it, is more important than experience in a certain field. Bill
-------------------- Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud 10 year Supporter of the Letterheads Website www.artssigns.com "MrBill-" on the chat page MailTo:biggsbb@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1020 | From: Lake Jackson,Tx | Registered: Nov 1998
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Without a doubt. Everyone I've hired has been from outside the industry and as a result they see things very clearly. Since it's an administrative position that makes complete sense.
Were this a graphics job I might think differently.
-------------------- Best Regards, Mark Smith EstiMate Sign Pricing Software It's Not Luck. It's EstiMate.™ http://www.EstiMateSoftware.com 1-888-304-3300 Posts: 724 | From: Asheville, NC, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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My first employee ever was an executive secretary. She worked part time and brought with her skills I never dreamed existed.
Her phone skills were impecable, her paper work skills were perfect. In just a few weeks she had my place running with such precision that I was able to focus on growing my bizz. It was the best thing I ever did.
She went on to a high paying job at a paper mill. I could not match their offer. But, I would do hire like that again in a second.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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I am in the exact same situation. What I have thought about doing is placing an ad in the local newspaper and have those interested, send their resume to a PO box. Our local paper will let us do this this without a name of the company looking to hire. I would also put in the ad that artist hobbies a plus.
This way I can sit back, read over resumes and make decisions of who I want to interview and no one but me and the paper know that I might be hiring.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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hire now! it takes less time to learn general signmaking than running an office, an the office can get you in more trouble!
-------------------- Michael A Latham Tee's Me Shirt & Sign 16462 Jefferson Davis Highway Colonial Heights Va. 804-835-3299 signdogopie@aol.com Posts: 379 | From: Colonial Heights, Virginia | Registered: Feb 2004
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I have also been thinking about contacting our local vocation school as the students need to get a co-op job as part of the program. They would either come to work in the morning or afternoon for 3-4 hours.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Laura, I am a former Distributive Education student. I have hired a number of vocational students, but only for part time jobs and not in administrative positions, most times the students give you a couple of years and go to college. Sometimes they come back for a summer or two but if you need administrative help, I don't think that is the place to look. Bill
-------------------- Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud 10 year Supporter of the Letterheads Website www.artssigns.com "MrBill-" on the chat page MailTo:biggsbb@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1020 | From: Lake Jackson,Tx | Registered: Nov 1998
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