I’m not sure if this is the case across the country, but I know that here in Vancouver, as well as across the water in Victoria, there is shortage of seasonal workers for entry level and customer service-oriented positions. In the past week or two, I’ve been hearing a lot of reports that the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), the annual fair in Vancouver, is having a tough time getting enough people to apply for all the seasonal jobs, like selling cotton candy, running the carnival games, and other various duties. In fact, they have received 1,000 fewer applications compared to last year.
By and large, this is because young people have a lot more options these days. Back when I was in high school, most young people either took a job at the local fast food establishment or they accepted a seasonal gig at the PNE. With the 2010 Winter Olympics just around the corner, however, a lot of new jobs have opened up in tourism and other industries that pay more than the minimum wage jobs you’d expect at the golden arches. So, how can you, as an employer, not only attract these young workers, but also retain them?
As with most other jobs (and careers, for that matter), the key isn’t really about offering more money — most direct competitors offer “competitive” wages that are pretty close to one another anyways — but it is more about keeping your employees happy, offering benefits, and providing flexibility. Flexibility is particularly important among youth, because to many of them, the job is just a job. For the most part, they just want to have fun and it’s the paycheque that bankrolls that fun. They want a flexible work schedule so that they can still hit up the beach on the weekend, for example. It’s the little things, like buying them lunch every once in a while or letting them go home a few minutes early if they are not needed. Performance-based rewards certainly don’t hurt either.
blogadmin
July 10, 2007 2:37 pm
One of my friends kids applied and was hired on the spot. They appear to be hiring anyone that fills out an application.
Dr. Cossack
July 10, 2007 8:49 pm
It’s nice to see someone thinking beyond the usual “raise the salary” mantra. Of course the salary is important, but the reason why I stayed at my part-time job for several years, even though it didn’t pay that much, was because of the very flexible schedule it gave me access to. That way, I could easily attend school while filling my pockets a bit.
Vadim
July 10, 2007 10:31 pm
Flexible schedule is convenient no doubt. I see more and more companies offering telecommuting options with specially equipped offices for meetings and so called “Global positions” ,where you can work anywhere in the world. With the growth of outsourcing and globalization of economy these kind of work arrangement is the next big thing.
Suzy
July 15, 2007 10:09 am
The keyword is ‘customer service’. The shortage of available bodies for ‘customer service-oriented positions’ has NOTHING to do with ‘more options’; it has everything to do with the masses being much less geared towards ‘customer service’. Canadians are getting ruder, government and big business now exemplifies and sadly have set precedent (by exmaple) for new generation(s) of self-absorbed, egotistical, self-interested citizens who simply can no longer grasp the concept of ‘customer service’ – much less be able to bring the qualities needed to the table of the service industry. Young people have seen older generations victimized by ruthless, cold, self serving governments, whom completely disregard the needs and desires of, and deceive its’ voting populace, and businesses who prioritize their own selfish greed and callousness towards their customers and now simply cannot grasp the concept of ‘customer service’ as it grows further and further away from present day reality. ‘Customer Service’ is just a blip on the map of history; something that once existed long ago, like the steam engine.
Ben
July 15, 2007 10:31 am
I agree with you, Suzy.
How can young people today even begin to grasp the concept of ‘customer service’?
It rarely exists anymore!
Voting a politician in today, based on their election promises, is like starring on America’s Funniest Home Video’s. The voting populace just keeps getting ‘kicked in the crotch.’
Signing a contract with today’s businesses is a sure way to soon realize you just made a deal with Sybil.
Doing business in Canada today, is a necessary evil. The minute you sign on the dotted line, be prepared for service charges you are only informed of, after the fact; mystery charges; sudden price increases; billing errors; etc.; and if you phone or write to try to sort things out you are greeted with hostility, rudeness, long waits, a great consumption of your time and energy, a great reluctance on their part to set things right with their customers and even when many canadian businesses are proven wrong, you (the customer) won’t ever receive an apology for their error(s). I used to think Candians were better than that – but, Canadian Insurance Companies/Banks/Cell Phone Providers/Cable Providers/Various Branches of our Government/and many other sectors of the business industry have disappointed many of us, over and over and over again. With so few willing to provide good customer service these day’s, it’s no wonder young people are fleeing in the opposite direction of job opportunites that would label them ‘customer service representatives’! lol!