How much do you pay new help?

[musician/lawnman]

I am interviewing now to hire my 1st helper. It will be ll legit. of course, taxes, comp. yada yada yada..... I posted an add on craigslist about the position. 2-3 days a week to start. pay based on experiance. I knew things were bad in the economy, but I've got guys calling that live an hour plus away, begging for the job. I'm getting.... "please, I've done this some before & I'll take minimum wage to start if you want, just give me a chance?!" I've never been big on paying minimum wage to anyone.... It seems to me that says your not worth anything & if I could pay you less I would..... I was just wondering what the average new wage for the industry is? Thanks guys this should be interesting I think.

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I think you'll find there's a very good reason they don't already have a FT job. Part of my hiring process meant the candidate had to provide a recent copy of their DMV record. I'd rather see that before my insurance company pulled it and rejected the guy as a driver. We also had them sign permission for a criminal records check due to our government contracting. One of my residnetial customers was head of security on base. If I had a questionable candidate, it was a simple process to add him to the list for approval and records check. During the interview phase I'd ask the guy to do simple tasks to determine his level of experience and/or knowledge. The tasks were taylored to what he said on his resume or application. For example, a heavy equipment operator should be well versed in changing the grease tube in a grease gun. So I'd hand them the gun and watch which end he wanted to start with. Chainsaw operator better know all the parts of the saw, how to clean the air filter, and especially how to sharpen by hand. I can't tell you how many times I'd have to personally sharpen a saw or just get it started. Tree man needs to show me knots in the climbing rope and belt hook-up. Also needs to show me tie off of the groundsman tag line for limbing. Mowing crew needs to identify which engines must be fueled with mixed gas and what ratio. Show me how to reload a weedeater string head. Start up the walk behind after checking the oil and drive it around. Mow my front yard the right way with a pusher. I heard alot of stories. If I offered a job it would be an "at-will" contract. Means they could quit or be fired without reason. I'd tell every one of them not to discuss their pay rate with anyone else in the company. Thier rate was between me and them. The job duties and difficulty were explained up front. Don't get the idea that after working one or two weeks you need to come ask for a raise because the hours are long and the work is physical. Raises are based on performance and profits, not whining. Steps up the ladder to foremen are based on skills, common sense, and responsibility.

[All Aspects Landscaping]

hey chuck...
got your message and email... I did a total of 14 estimates over the weekend totaling about $43,000... I am spent... I will give you a call soon and check out the email you dropped me...

About the hourly rate... our new guys... we start all laborers at $8.00 no matter what... experience or not... we do this for 30 days. Then they get an evaluation and raise based on their performance. Ive had too many people tell me they can do everything and they can do s***... But, Ill tell you straight up... pull the trigger and hire someone... youre ready, and you need the experience of teaching someone how you want them to help run your business... its not like youre in charge of someone else when you get a paycheck from a company... this is your money... Let me know how you make out...
you know Im here for ya... even though Im a hard guy to get a hold of.