By Colby Horton
Shop Site of the Month
Jan's Spectrum Collision Center - Tempe, Ariz.
www.jansspectrum.com
Although this site is simple in its design, it offers visitors a wide variety of innovative features. Customers can schedule appointments or track their vehicle's progress directly from the shop's Web site. An in-depth "Repair Process" section gives a graphical representation of the complex process. Photos, an interactive customer survey and Internet specials complete this site.
Web Wise
Look to the Internet to Fill Your Job Openings
The need for qualified, well-trained shop personnel has been a burden to this industry for some time. And although popular Internet job boards such as Monster.com and Hotjobs.com were created many years ago to help people find employment, they were never automotive industry specific. But today, many Internet employment services are emerging that cater specifically to our industry; and they should be the first step in finding someone who is qualified to work in your shop.
Your shop's Web site can become an employment tool in itself. What better way is there to educate prospective employees about your shop than your Web site? Consider an employment section within your site, complete with advertisements for positions open in your shop and an employment application that can either be filled out online or simply downloaded from your site.
In creating such a section, be specific about the qualifications you expect. Does the candidate need to be ASE-certified? Should the candidate have several years of experience? This can help ensure that the best-
qualified personnel are applying, and save you time in the hiring process.
In branching out beyond your shop's site, research employment companies that cater to the automotive industry. Ask questions before going this route. If the company is a national recruitment service, does it allow you to place ads based on geographic region? If they charge for their services, is it more cost-effective to use the service than to run an ad in your local newspaper?
The benefit of working with an online option is that technology allows these companies to maintain a vast database of candidates looking for a job. For example, AutoCareerCenter.com, which was launched in late November last year, uses a patent-pending relational database that allows employers and job seekers to classify job opportunities and resumÈs using industry-specific terms. This is a first in the industry.
So, in looking for qualified personnel, don't leave the Internet out of your overall search.
Net Numbers
In 2003, 94 percent of the Global 500 used their corporate Web sites for recruiting purposes.
Source: iLogos
ASA Web Ways
ASA Employment Classifieds
One of the best resources for Automotive Service Association members to fill a position for a technician, manager or administrator in their shop is the Employment Classifieds section of the ASA Web site. Using their six-digit member number, ASA members can post an available position - choosing from 19 different categories - free of charge. These postings include past experience and certifications required, along with any additional information the shop wishes to post. Technicians looking for a job can also post their resumÈs free of charge. Visit the "Employment Classifieds" section for more details.
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Net Worth is written by Colby Horton, ASA's electronic communications manager. He can be reached at (800) 272-7467, ext. 234, or by e-mail at colbyh@asashop.org.
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