A pest control business can only take on as much work as its technicians can conduct. Companies look to hire pest control technicians when they’re ready to expand or when things change in the business, and new talent is needed.
One of the most annoying parts of hiring pest control technicians is feeling like you can’t get any bites, no matter how hard you try. You want good-quality leads who are experienced, have a positive attitude and offer a service that reflects your pest control business in a positive light. So, how do you get them to consider your business over others?
In this blog, we’re covering ways to improve how you’re hiring pest control technicians and retaining staff. Some topics we’ll delve into include:
- Hiring methods
- Recruiting processes
- Employee satisfaction strategies
How To Hire Pest Control Technicians
The first and most important step in the recruiting process is getting quality leads from people who are excited to join your team. If you’re relying on your own Facebook page and a few free boards to advertise, it may be time to branch out and trial a few paid job ads on Seek or even an ‘Employment Ad’ on social media.
Check Out The Competition
Look at what your competitors are doing when it comes to hiring. See where you can one-up other businesses by showcasing the pros of working for your company. Maybe you have a great work environment, or you offer competitive benefits, make sure those selling points are clear in your job ad.
Advertise
If people don’t know you’re looking for employees, they won’t apply. You want to reach as many relevant people as possible. A great way to directly reach your target audience is by using Google or Facebook Ads, which let you refine your audience down quite effectively. That means your online ads are only reaching those who you see as prime candidates for your position.
Tips for creating an effective pest control hiring ad are:
- Use a clear photo or graphic that says exactly what you’re looking for.
- Make sure your copy is compelling and showcases why your business is a better choice than others.
- Utilise more effective ad methods. Video and carousel ads tend to get better engagement than single-image ads.
Make Sharing Information Easy
We live in a fast-paced world where the average attention span is getting shorter. That’s why it’s important to make getting in touch as streamlined as possible. Facebook ads allow for instant forms to be used on job ads where prospects can instantly send their contact information. If you want to use your website’s contact form, make sure to cut out any irrelevant sections (e.g. address, date of birth and any bonus questions you may have). Using the bare minimum of name, phone number, email address and maybe a CV is a great way to generate more leads.
Make Sure Your Website Is Mobile Friendly
About 72% of job seekers use their mobile phone, so make sure your website experience has been optimised for these users.
Make a Referal Program
People tend to hang out or at least know people within their trade. A great way to hire pest control technicians is to ask the techs you already have. A referral program can skip all the money spent on advertising by looking locally first. If your existing technicians know of someone who’s looking for a job change, give them a bonus for bringing that tech over to you.
How To Pick The Right Pest Control Technician For The Job
Now you have a few applications, let’s talk about screening them. After reviewing the information you’ve been provided, what steps can be taken to ensure your choice is as good in person as they were on paper?
Step 1 – Give Them A Buzz (Pre-scanning)
The best and most time-effective way to screen applicants is to give them a quick buzz. Just have a chat, talk about their experience, why they were interested in the job and get an idea about who they are as a person.
Don’t make this an interview, but feel free to ask a few questions. This process could replace the need for CVs early on and get you more leads immediately, especially if your competitor’s recruitment process is long-winded and slow.
If you like the way the person carried out the conversation, organise an in-person interview. If you get a gut feeling that something is wrong, you may want to listen to it. If you prefer the old-school method, you can simply pre-screen prospects by reading over their CVs and making your assessments from there.
Step 2 – Organise an Official Interview
Once you’ve narrowed your choices, it’s time for the official interview process. This is where you get a deeper understanding of the pest control technician. Ask them about past work, their experience and ambitions, plus any other relevant information. If you didn’t ask for a resume in the first part of screening, ask if they can provide a copy either before or at the interview so you can see a list of qualifications and training.
Also, use this time to get an idea of their behaviours.
- Were they late for the interview?
- Did they wear appropriate clothing?
- Were they respectful and appreciative of the opportunity?
- Do they have the experience in pest control that you’re looking for, or are they willing to train?
Step 3 – Consider and Make The Final Decision
Take a step back, and reflect on all the applicants you interviewed. It’s easy to let the most recent good interviews be the ones you remember. That’s why it’s important to take a moment and think about all the things you liked and disliked about each person. While the last interviewee may have killed it, don’t let it overshadow the awesome person you spoke to first.
How To Keep Pest Control Technicians
Once you have them, you don’t want to let them go. Pest control is a competitive industry, so if you’ve scored a great tech, it’s no surprise that other businesses may want to poach them. Keeping your workers happy and satisfied is the simplest way to retain staff.
Pay Your Pest Techs What They Deserve
The easiest way to keep loyal employees is to pay them what they deserve. Low-paying jobs are a key cause of low retention. If you don’t want a crew of job-hopping employees, give them a good base salary and the opportunity to develop within the company for monetary or lifestyle rewards.
Invest In Them
Good pay only goes so far. If you want to keep your pest control staff satisfied, you need to show that they’re a core part of your business structure. Give them opportunities for further business growth and training so they can hit new heights.
Austates Has You Covered For All Pest Equipment & Repairs
With years of experience, the Austates team understands that every fleet has special requirements. We work with a range of vehicles and equip them all with top-notch Pest Management systems. If you want to level up your pest control fleet, call us today for a fast quote.