The Harsh TRUTH About Hiring Employees

📅 January 22, 2026 ⏱️ 42:34 🎤 Kelly Prazgrave, Lance

Chapters

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0:00

The Recruiting Challenge

Kelly Prazgrave introduces herself and her company, Work With Your Hands, which specializes in recruiting talent across the home services ecosystem, from apprentices to C-suite executives.
0:02

Why Trades Recruitment is Hard

Kelly explains that recruiting in the trades is challenging because candidates are often hands-on workers, not desk-bound, requiring employers to adapt their communication and interview processes.
0:04

Why Work For You?

The hosts discuss the critical question 'Why would anyone want to work for you?' emphasizing the importance of a positive work environment, supportive leadership, and clear systems and processes.
0:11

Impact of Chaos on Employees

Kelly and the host agree that chaotic work environments, lacking systems and processes, deter employees and can lead to high turnover, emphasizing the need for organized operations.
0:14

Growth and Opportunity

The discussion delves into how growth opportunities and career advancement are perceived by different generations and roles, with some valuing it more than others, and the importance of painting a long-term picture for career development.
0:19

Company Reputation & Culture

Kelly stresses the significance of a company's reputation and culture, noting that employees discuss their experiences in various forums, impacting a company's ability to attract and retain talent.
0:22

The Interview & Onboarding

The hosts share an anecdote about a poor interview experience and the importance of providing a 'five-star' candidate experience and a welcoming onboarding process to retain new hires.
0:30

Finding Trades Talent

Kelly reveals various strategies for finding trades technicians, including common job boards, her extensive database, and unconventional methods like looking at Yelp reviews and public licensing databases.
0:32

White Glove Recruitment Service

The host acknowledges Kelly's 'white glove' approach to recruitment, highlighting her tailored, transparent, and hands-on method of matching candidates with suitable companies and ensuring a smooth process.
0:37

Women in Trades

Kelly discusses the growing presence and impact of women in the trades, particularly in leadership roles, and how they are excelling and gaining respect in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Speakers

Kelly Prazgrave

Owner, Work With Your Hands

Lance

Host

Key Takeaways

✦

Prioritize creating a positive work environment and strong company culture; employees discuss their experiences, impacting your reputation and ability to attract talent.

✦

Develop clear systems, processes, and SOPs; a chaotic work environment deters employees and leads to high turnover.

✦

Invest time in the candidate experience: ensure prompt, respectful interviews and a welcoming onboarding process to make new hires feel valued and committed.

✦

Understand that growth and career opportunities are vital for many, but not all; tailor your pitch to individual ambitions, whether it's advancement or simply a stable role.

✦

Be transparent about your company's challenges and culture during the recruitment process to manage expectations and ensure a good long-term fit.

✦

Actively recruit beyond traditional job boards; explore industry-specific forums, public licensing databases, and even unconventional sources like Yelp reviews to find skilled tradespeople.

✦

Recognize that recruiting is an ongoing, high-priority activity, not just something to do when a vacancy arises; a dedicated approach is essential for scaling your business.

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