What to ask potential employee?

[Oldmacdonald]

Might take on a young lad a couple days a week
Chap I have in mind is around 18, quite keen.
Farming background.


What should I be asking him? Apart from 'can you start Monday'?

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Are you expecting all this to be yours one day?
SS

 

[Pan mixer]

Driving licence?

Experience, girlfriends, social life etc

An ex-policeman advised me to always Google any potential staff to see what comes up - I avoided a chap like that when his cv had missed out 3 seperate convictions for drink driving for example.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

When in doubt, ask
SS

 

[Spartacus]

I took on someone similar myself in summer, my questions were how flexible can you be for the two days you work and can you do the odd weekend when required. Took him on from there with the thought that I would see how he is. So far been a reasonable success, keen to work, doesn't mind inclement weather, enjoys walling, could do with listening better at times but at 18 who doesn't!

 

[Spartacus]

I took on someone similar myself in summer, my questions were how flexible can you be for the two days you work and can you do the odd weekend when required. Took him on from there with the thought that I would see how he is. So far been a reasonable success, keen to work, doesn't mind inclement weather, enjoys walling, could do with listening better at times but at 18 who doesn't!

Also, I downloaded the app fieldmargin (free version) so I could add him to it so I know when I tell him a field name he knows where I'm on about, I can also tag him in jobs by GPS for where he needs to be rather than having to explain exactly where to go when he doesn't recognise the landscape as I know it.

 

[Kiss]

If you already have someone in mind I’d just get them to turn up and do a bit, soon learn their capabilities plus we all have slightly different ways in which we do things

 

[CPF]

Are you any good at passing the buck
When you break something?
it wasn’t me !

 

[Exfarmer]

I think more important is setting out some ground rules and what his duties should be, particularly regarding mobile phones and driving etc.

 

[kiwi pom]

Explain what the job entails, hours, expectations etc and just have a basic chat to try and gauge keenness and ability. Does he have relevant qualifications, what is he working towards.
Leave personal questions out of it, not sure where you stand on checking out any social media they have.

 

[Spud]

I've had a few apprentices over the years

If in doubt, ask

Turn up, pay attention, do your best.

If you do the crap jobs well, you'll get a go at the good jobs
If you treat the old kit well, you'll get a go with the new kit.
Behave like an idiot and you'll be treated like one!

Remember that you too set off knowing nowt, they will make mistakes

 

[Hilly]

Make sure you have a proper contract with everything you want laid out properly so you both know exactly where you stand.

 

[TripleSix]

Make sure he's not afraid to ask questions.

Go for a drive around the farm, see if he gets out to open a gate when you drive up to one - that's a good indicator of how switched on someone is.

 

[delilah]

When he comes for interview, watch how he parks in the yard. Tells you all you need to know.

 

[Neil MP]

When he comes for interview, watch how he parks in the yard. Tells you all you need to know.

So if it’s abandoned with the door left open, he’ll fit right in?

 

[czechmate]

When he comes for interview, watch how he parks in the yard. Tells you all you need to know.

and if he’s on time

 

[Rossymons]

What will he spend his wages on? You'll find out what motivates him then

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

Leave personal questions out of it, not sure where you stand on checking out any social media they have.

If he's local you will know someone who knows him.

A quick glance on publicly available social media can tell you a lot about someone, the good and the not so good.

Are they in a relationship, do they have hobbies, do they drink themselves to oblivion every weekend?

(Also a proportion of youths would describe recreational use of illegal drugs as a hobby...)

 

[Panicnow]

When he comes for interview, watch how he parks in the yard. Tells you all you need to know.

After 2 minutes with you they'll run for cover not wanting to work of an ignorant bully.

 

[colhonk]

Does he know how to drive a grease gun.