Help write a good ad to attract the right person..

[swamp]

Sept 24, 2012 20:09:42 GMT -5 milee said:

Any suggestions on whether it's OK to ask them to reply via email or if I need to include a phone number since some people don't have email?

I hate the phone too, so I think it's ok.

[milee]

Busymom - We're in SW Florida. To give you an idea of wages, we just hired a mainenance tech (does some groundskeeping but also technical stuff like boat engine maintenance and it's all outdoors and dirty) for the nonprofit I'm on the board of and had dozens of applicants for that $11 an hour, 32 hour a week job. It's a tough job market.

Malarky - Love the idea of adding "energetic". Very true and needed. Also great ideas about parenting papers. Only two local colleges and both attract arty, goth and odd students (I like them, just not what I'm looking for.)

Feeb - Is that $20 an hour for 18 hours a week with flexibility or is that for a few hours a week? Cleaning appears to be priced differently if you're scheduling several days versus just a few hours. It's reasonable the jobs that are just a few hours charge much more per hour because there's transportation to consider plus the inconvenience to the employee of having to piece together multiple jobs to get income.

[milee]

Sept 24, 2012 20:19:48 GMT -5 swamp said:

Sept 24, 2012 20:09:42 GMT -5 milee said:

Any suggestions on whether it's OK to ask them to reply via email or if I need to include a phone number since some people don't have email?

I hate the phone too, so I think it's ok.

Hope so. While I don't want to eliminate a good applicant that doesn't have a computer, the idea of talking to dozens of applicants on the phone makes me want to cry.

[kgb18]

milee, I would hone your ad just a bit. I'd be a little more specific. Organizing is kind of vague. Do you mean cleaning up and putting things away, or cleaning out and organizing closets and your basement? Also, I'd leave out the word grubby. I think for the day to day stuff $12 an hour is fine, but if you're talking about outside, heavier work like painting, gardening, cleaning a boat, I'd pay extra for that.

[milee]

Sept 24, 2012 20:19:04 GMT -5 oped said:

I wonder if i could pay someone to drive the kids to rock gym and wait for them ? ... would that make me a terrible mother ?

I don't think so, but then again, I'm also the one who is throwing up her hands in dispair and seeking a paid SAHM, so maybe I'm not the one to ask.

[kgb18]

What about something like:

Our busy family is looking for help around the house. We need someone to clean and keep things organized in our home three days a week for approximately six hours per day. The hours are flexible and can be during school hours. Tasks will include …. Some outside work may be required. $12 an hour.

[Tennesseer]

What would it have cost you to have the boat detailed professionally?

It might cost you more than $12 per hour to have someone where the work "might include work inside the house, outside the house or even light cleaning on the boat."

What you want is a part-time handyman and $12 isn't going to cut it.

[milee]

Sept 24, 2012 20:30:27 GMT -5 kgb18 said:

milee, I would hone your ad just a bit. I'd be a little more specific. Organizing is kind of vague. Do you mean cleaning up and putting things away, or cleaning out and organizing closets and your basement? Also, I'd leave out the word grubby. I think for the day to day stuff $12 an hour is fine, but if you're talking about outside, heavier work like painting, gardening, cleaning a boat, I'd pay extra for that.

OK, give me some suggestions. I want to be realistic here. Some things are grubby. I have boys - 'nuff said. Here's a list of the stuff I did this last week. It's a fair approximation of what would be included in the job description:

Deep clean 2 bathrooms. (Again - all guys plus me. Ick!)
Dust, organize and clean bedrooms.
Vacuum
Mop
Scrub kitchen
Detail small boat (wash, wax, re-waterproof canvas, condition vinyl)

Here's a list of what I would have done if I'd had time and would be representative of occasional tasks:
Scrub front door
Clean and organize 5 kitchen drawers/cabinets
Pull weeds from 4' x 8' herb garden beside front door
Wash Windows
Organize junky looking countertop near table

[milee]

Sept 24, 2012 20:35:48 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

What would it have cost you to have the boat detailed professionally?

It might cost you more than $12 per hour to have someone where the work "might include work inside the house, outside the house or even light cleaning on the boat."

What you want is a part-time handyman and $12 isn't going to cut it.

We're getting hung up on the boat. My fault, you can only go by what I wrote and I wasn't clear. Boat stuff doesn't happen often, but it's an example of the random, one-off things that do happen and for which I'd want help.

If I want boat detailing, I could probably track that down. So the once a year I need that, no worries. My point is that this week it's the boat, next week it may be another random task. I want someone who will help with the random stuff as well as the standard maid stuff.

Help me figure out how to describe that.

[Malarky]

I think it's important to make it clear to whomever you hire that while there is a general list of responsibilities, the job actually entails doing what needs to be done, and that sometimes it will be more physical, possible dirty work.

I'm currently training a whole host of people to work in our new store, as well as our two current locations. The single most common question they ask me is "What exactly do you do?" The answer is "Whatever needs to be done." I am stressing to these people that it is a small business and that we all need to work together and I can't anticipate every possible scenario they will face, I can only give them a broad general knowledge of how we generally operate.

Milee, if you find a mother to do this job, she will almost certainly understand and expect the curveballs involved. Others may need it spelled out.

[kgb18]

Okay, I would say "Regular tasks would include general house cleaning, including two bathrooms, with occasional tasks such as cleaning and organizing kitchen cabinets and drawers and occasional outside work such as light gardening and window washing."

I think general house cleaning implies dusting, mopping, scrubbing, etc.

I would also put in writing a detailed list of the tasks you expect to be completed and have copies handy when you interview people. That way there can be no question when someone takes the job what you expect.

[Malarky]

And just sayin...

My house is a flippin' disaster. We're currently living under the " and run" rules. Come home from work or school, drop your laptop bag/backpack, pick up a cheer or karate bag and off you go again. Drop at least one pair of nasty shoes/socks in your wake, as an added bonus, maybe a sweaty t-shirt can be draped over the back of one of the chairs in the kitchen.

And that's just DH and I. The kids are worse. Their friends make it exponentially worse.

[kgb18]

I have a cleaning lady just two times a month. I wish I could afford to have her clean more frequently. We clean up before she comes to clean. All the clothes are put away, there are no dirty dishes in the sink or things piled up on the tables and counters. Again, if I could afford it, I'd have her take care of that stuff too.

Malarky, I hear you. I try so hard to clean up as we go, but it's hard with a toddler, a baby and both of us working. DH worked midnight last night, came home and went to bed just before 8 a.m. when I got up with the kids. He slept until 3 p.m. which was when I had to leave for work. I'll get home around 11:20 tonight, and he'll literally walk out the door to go to his work. It's crazy.

[Deleted]

Our busy family is looking for help around the house to clean and keep things organized three days a week for approximately six hours per day. The hours are flexible and can be during school hours. In addition to routine maintnance, weekly tasks will vary based on the household needs and could range from helping with the herb garden to running errands. Some outside work may be required. $12 an hour.

[Deleted]

Busy, professional family looking for for an energetic individual to simplify our lives by housecleaning, organizing, light yardwork and occasional odd projects such as helping to clean our boat. 20 flexible, family friendly hours a week. E-mail communication and references preferred.

In my metro area we have blogs that cater to SAHM's and have sections for employment listings. Another idea is craigslist.

[Tennesseer]

Milee-how about this:

With a growing business and family, we don’t have much free time and when we do, we like to spend it on family activities. Our home is starting to need some tender, loving care.

We’re looking for someone with terrific organizational skills to come to our home three days a week for approximately 6 hours per day (flexible on the timing, can be during school hours). Duties will include cleaning, organizing and keeping the house well maintained. Weekly tasks will vary depending on what needs immediate attention. Some duties may include work outside the house such as light gardening as required.

$12 an hour but negotiable.

[Deleted]

I like that Ten... maybe instead of 'someone' ... work energetic in there, energetic person ...

[whoisjohngalt]

Would you be responsible if they have an accident while running errands for you?

Do you want them to handle any child related duties?

My ad would go something like this:

If you are great at cleaning and organizing a house, both inside and outside, we would love to have you. The list of duties will include weekly activities as well other, "as needed" jobs. Flexible hours, 3x wk/6 hrs a day.

I have no idea how much they should be paid.

Lena

[Tennesseer]

Oped-That would work too.

[Tennesseer]

There should be no need for running errands for the home owner. Supplies should already be in the home based upon the upcoming cleaning event(s).

[whoisjohngalt]

No, I am talking about things like pick up dry cleaning or take a dog to a vet or run out for milk, etc

[Malarky]

Sept 24, 2012 21:16:46 GMT -5 oped said:

Our busy family is looking for help around the house to clean and keep things organized three days a week for approximately six hours per day. The hours are flexible and can be during school hours. In addition to routine maintnance, weekly tasks will vary based on the household needs and could range from helping with the herb garden to running errands. Some outside work may be required. $12 an hour.

Very concise.



kgb,

DH and I also worked opposite shifts for years when the kids were really young. It was worth it. We both got to pursue what we wanted/needed to professionally, while being there for all the things the kids needed us for. Our current lifestyle is a choice. I don't have to coach as well as work.
DH likes his classes 4 nights a week. DS would be scheduled full time at his job, as well as going to school if he'd let them. And he teaches classes at karate twice a week as well as taking 2-3 classes. DD has cheer practice every day for three hours plus tumbling classes, extra practices and games. And still tries to get to two or three karate classes every week.

Your day will come when you are busy because you want to be, not that you have to be.

I clearly remember how clean my mother's house was. I want my kids to remember that they always had a ride to practice, that someone was there for every game, that their friends were always welcome.

We all pitch in and do the best we can to keep up. And everyone does laundry-the most important thing being to gather socks and wash some with every load, because inevitably, someone will need them tomorrow. T-shirts? Eh, we have a million of them...

[Deleted]

No, I am talking about things like pick up dry cleaning or take a dog to a vet or run out for milk, etc

I would not ask an employee to do that. A couple in my hometown hired a babysitter but also asked her to pick up their mail. One day she got in a car accident on her way from the post office. The couple was on the hook for a couple of million dollars.

[Tennesseer]

Sept 24, 2012 21:41:44 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

No, I am talking about things like pick up dry cleaning or take a dog to a vet or run out for milk, etc

If those are some of the tasks needed to be done then the hourly wage really needs to be raised. We are talking about a part-time housewife/househusband here. And those aren't cheap.

[Deleted]

hmm... didn't know that. Guess having someone run the kids to rock gym is out...
I would think most personal assistance do errands of some sort though ?

[Tennesseer]

Personal assistants don't make $12 per hour.

Think Alice of the Brady Bunch.

[Deleted]

True. But is the liability still there?

If I hire someone to drive my kids to the rock gym and wait for them, and she gets in an accident on the sidewalk outside the gym... am I liable?


You don't have worker's comp on domestic hires do you?

[whoisjohngalt]

We are talking about a part-time housewife/househusband here.

But isn't it exactly what Milee wants??

[Tennesseer]

Is your work as a housewife worth $12 an hour?

[giramomma]

Sept 24, 2012 21:55:38 GMT -5 oped said:

True. But is the liability still there?

If I hire someone to drive my kids to the rock gym and wait for them, and she gets in an accident on the sidewalk outside the gym... am I liable?


You don't have worker's comp on domestic hires do you?

Have no idea, but the liability is a good point. We have an umbrella insurance policy to address liability issues. We do not employ others, but I do run a business out of my house and we drive other people's kids around.

I would also request someone who had gardening experience. Not all people understand the difference between a weed and a plant-even after the first or second explanation. My husband was trying to get rid of tall weeds and managed to kill three of my yarrow plants. He cut them down thinking they were a tall weed, even though I've referred to the plants as "Yarrow" for three years. (It was fine with me, because I hated the yarrow, but still.) DH grew up with a mother that gardened. So it's not like he's never been around plants and didn't know what to do with them.

You also might want to define "organize." Does that include decluttering? Are you comfortable with other people deciding how your kitchen should be set up and whether or not something is junk to be decluttered.