Interesting responses to my Craigslist help wanted ad...

LeeH · 12:18 AM

I put an ad on Craigslistas my business is growing and I'd like to have someone around to help out.

In a nutshell the ad was for a bookkeeper - someone with accounting and Quickbooks experience to work out of my house. I was very clear that this was part time work that would taper off after I was caught up with some projects and I couldn't guarantee any number of hours. Pay... $14/hour to start.

In two days I've had 35 applicants. About 80% have college degrees. Two have MBAs. I included my location in the ad and had people tell me they lived >50 miles away and the drive wasn't a problem for them.

About three people sent nasty-grams telling me what jerk I was for not paying more. My favorite is below... for the record I mentioned in the ad that we have pets. I said an accounting degree "would be nice," but was not required:

"14.00hr????? You need someone with an accounting degree, a Quickbooks expert, willing to go through a background check, willing to work at your hard-to-reach house with rats and birds, putting up with your controlling, dictatorial, micro-managing personality? For 14.00hr???"

slodave · slodave's Garage

It seems that they will be unemployed for a long time in this current market...

look 171 · 05-09-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeH

I put an ad on Craigslistas my business is growing and I'd like to have someone around to help out.

In a nutshell the ad was for a bookkeeper - someone with accounting and Quickbooks experience to work out of my house. I was very clear that this was part time work that would taper off after I was caught up with some projects and I couldn't guarantee any number of hours. Pay... $14/hour to start.

In two days I've had 35 applicants. About 80% have college degrees. Two have MBAs. I included my location in the ad and had people tell me they lived >50 miles away and the drive wasn't a problem for them.

About three people sent nasty-grams telling me what jerk I was for not paying more. My favorite is below... for the record I mentioned in the ad that we have pets. I said an accounting degree "would be nice," but was not required:

"14.00hr????? You need someone with an accounting degree, a Quickbooks expert, willing to go through a background check, willing to work at your hard-to-reach house with rats and birds, putting up with your controlling, dictatorial, micro-managing personality? For 14.00hr???"

That's what you get in Graig's list. It like chatting on the net, they never have to say it to your face or over the phone.

HOw about going to your local university or community college and put an ad there. I am sure they will jump at the chance since many have no experience working in a big office with big pay. Their time is flex too and they are much easier to control.

911Rob · 911Rob's Garage

LOL
Thanks for sharing

LeeH · 05-09-2009, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171

That's what you get in Graig's list. It like chatting on the net, they never have to say it to your face or over the phone.

HOw about going to your local university or community college and put an ad there. I am sure they will jump at the chance since many have no experience working in a big office with big pay. Their time is flex too and they are much easier to control.

Thing is I had no problem picking someone out. Actually there were several people I could have hired. The one I picked is a perfect fit. We met yesterday and I'm hoping to have her working on Monday. The bonus is she lives about 5 minutes from me.

onlycafe · 05-09-2009, 01:14 PM

is she cute?

Zeke · 05-09-2009, 02:40 PM

I would have recommended looking for a physically disabled person. If this person is on your books, as "she' should be, you would get a tax credit for employing such a person. The employee doesn't have to be a wheel chair user, so your house doesn't have to be fitted with disability apparatus of that type.

Some disabled work from their home. I don't know, but you might be able to get the credit if you work it right.

In the long run, I would have hired a book keeping service. I think there are some that can send an employee out to an office. Again, I don't know about working in a private residence. They would, of course, be insured by the service and bonded.

m21sniper · 05-09-2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeH

"14.00hr????? You need someone with an accounting degree, a Quickbooks expert, willing to go through a background check, willing to work at your hard-to-reach house with rats and birds, putting up with your controlling, dictatorial, micro-managing personality? For 14.00hr???"

You are asking an awful lot...

LOL