Personal Integrity

[wepampercampers]

I am the kind of person who doesn't like to be late for an agreed-upon meeting time/date. If I see I'm going to be late, I call to let them know and apologize profusely. I think that being late tells the other person that I am more important than they are. How ridiculous, rude and arrogant! Of course, what is worse than being late is not showing up for work at all without so much as a call. This has happened more often than I ever imagined it would; especially considering the experience and supposed wisdom of the general population of workampers. Integrity is not something you can interview for or search for on a resume. Does anyone have any tips on how to determine, during the interview process, if someone has personal integrity? (jo)

[4X4Dodger]

sdianel wrote:
when we interviewd we used the STR process. Like "tell me about a specific time that... and 1. what did you do and 2. what was the outcome. STR is Situation - Task- Result. Here are some examples:
What do you do to ensure that you are on time for meetings and appointments? Tell me about a time when you were late for an important meeting. What did you do?
Follow up question could be: how many times in the last 2 years have you been late to work, what were the reasons and what did you do?
Tell me about a time when you had to be absent from work. How did you arrange for the necessary coverage of your job?
How many days did you miss from work in the last year? Can your last employer verify this information?

As a counterpoint here and with respect, I find the STR type of interview to favor those with good verbal skills and very often tells you really nothing of substance about a person. Good interviewers can game that process so fast it will make your head spin.

I have been hiring (and firing) people since the 70's for all kinds of positions. I actually like to interview people. What I do is get them to relax by just having a bit of general conversation first. I watch the body language, eye contact and the way they speak very carefully for clues about what kind of person sits before me. But probably the most important thing I do is give them an HONEST view of the job they are applying for, not a sugar coated one.

I also change my tone and demeanor to VERY serious when talking about work schedules, being on time and appropriate behavior. When I do this I ask them directly if they understand me and do they have a problem with anything I have told them. I also tell them very clearly what the consequences will be for NOT being on time. I make it clear to them this is one of my HIGHEST priorities and if they think they cannot meet my expectations this will not be a good fit.

People who are not on time as employees (except for those with real reason)get a warning, the second time they get it in writing and the third they go out the door. This quick reaction has several good effects..it puts all the other employees on notice that you will act and that being on time is of the highest importance.

And for the record: As for the military and especially law enforcement I have found them no more reliable than the general public. And in some cases found them so hidebound against change they are a liability. There is one group I have found to be very good however. But the numbers are so small as to be difficult to judge clearly and that is Ex Peace Corps volunteers.

[irishtom29]

Integrity? A guy can show up at work reliably and rob you blind, while an unreliable worker can be honest, kind and generous. I guess employers define integrity as that which is in their interest.

Some of the biggest thieves and rogues I've known were coppers and ex soldiers.

[wepampercampers]

In general, I have found that more seniors are better for workamping jobs than younger people. There are just a few who cause the frustration and, who knows, it could happen from a miscommunication on my part too. The seniors who don't "need" the money and are just looking for something meaningful to do to keep active and social are the best. We call them "successfully retired." Most, not all, younger people are either trying to support a family, which is very hard to do with a minimum wage part-time job, or they feel entitled because mommy and daddy are still supporting them.

[westernrvparkow]

B.O. Plenty wrote:
I'm not looking for a job. If something came along that I was really interested in I might consider it however. I refuse to sit through some B.S. interview that asks a lot of stupid questions about how I handled different situations while working 15-25 years ago?? I don't remember or care. I guess I could just make something up. I would think the interviewer would take this into consideration. It's not like the job is for a new CEO or something. Many of us old people are just looking for something to do and it seems like a lot of trouble to go through an extensive interview for a pretty menial job. Why not just let us work as a volunteer then pick the best people and hire them??

B.O.

It sure seems that some people miss the point of hiring workampers. We hire them because we have work that needs to be done. We are not a charity just looking to give money to people. Hence we interview and ask questions that might give us some insight into whether or not a candidate is a good fit for a job. One of the biggest challenges we face is hiring people who do not feel the tasks required are beneath them. Obviously, a person's reluctance to answer questions they feel are beneath them would be a giant red flag that they would be reluctant to perform the tasks required. So asking those dumb questions does serve a purpose.

[B_O__Plenty]

I'm not looking for a job. If something came along that I was really interested in I might consider it however. I refuse to sit through some B.S. interview that asks a lot of stupid questions about how I handled different situations while working 15-25 years ago?? I don't remember or care. I guess I could just make something up. I would think the interviewer would take this into consideration. It's not like the job is for a new CEO or something. Many of us old people are just looking for something to do and it seems like a lot of trouble to go through an extensive interview for a pretty menial job. Why not just let us work as a volunteer then pick the best people and hire them??

B.O.

[westernrvparkow]

Mr. Camper wrote:

OutdoorPhotographer wrote:

westernrvparkowner wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:

wepampercampers wrote:
Thanks for the STR reminder. I've done this before but get lax when campgrounds are opening and I'm in a panic to hire.

Some people accept the job then don't bother to show up at all!

I hope this is not a growing trend with the younger generation.

Very sadly it IS!

IMHO This new generation is not worth my time interviewing. They are the worst. You might find one out of a hundred that is worth hiring.
They lack education and social skills BIG time. All they care about is themselves and their iPhone.:(

And they ARE the ones most likely to accept the position and don't show up. You are left sitting there believing you have filled a position and are left holding the bag trying to run that position and again trying to find someone for it.

Hire Retired Seniors.
Educated, bught up right, have social skills to spare, and willing and able to learn new tasks. IMHO the only way to go.:C

Sorry, but I personally know of three parks where they hired retired seniors for workamping positions this fall, stayed in contact with them throughout the winter and suddenly those seniors couldn't honor their commitment a couple of weeks prior to their scheduled arrival. It really leaves those parks in a bad way. They are now scrambling to find help. On the other hand I have had young workers full of ambition and energy who were a great asset. Sadly they had to go back to college. Integrity, work ethic and the like isn't lacking in young people and isn't ingrained in the older generations.

Thank you for that rebuttal. Every generation has good and bad. Sure, I think too few parents are passing on a solid work ethic but it's definitely out there. I bet there are lots of hard working college students who would make great help. Of course as you stated, they won't be around for the fall season.

What can happen to normally reliable seniors who cancel on short notice can usually be traced to a medical problem or illness. Even with that possibility, I'd still go with a senior couple as my primary choice.

Or they took another position, or they just decided they didn't want a job this season. The flexibility that being retired offers can be a detriment to hiring. No skin off a retiree's teeth if they don't take a job. It won't leave a gap in their resume, it won't effect their career track, it won't leave them short on beer money for their Junior year at State U. They can opt to not take a job or can opt to go elsewhere on a whim. Good for them, not good for employers.

[Mr__Camper]

OutdoorPhotographer wrote:

westernrvparkowner wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:

wepampercampers wrote:
Thanks for the STR reminder. I've done this before but get lax when campgrounds are opening and I'm in a panic to hire.

Some people accept the job then don't bother to show up at all!

I hope this is not a growing trend with the younger generation.

Very sadly it IS!

IMHO This new generation is not worth my time interviewing. They are the worst. You might find one out of a hundred that is worth hiring.
They lack education and social skills BIG time. All they care about is themselves and their iPhone.:(

And they ARE the ones most likely to accept the position and don't show up. You are left sitting there believing you have filled a position and are left holding the bag trying to run that position and again trying to find someone for it.

Hire Retired Seniors.
Educated, bught up right, have social skills to spare, and willing and able to learn new tasks. IMHO the only way to go.:C

Sorry, but I personally know of three parks where they hired retired seniors for workamping positions this fall, stayed in contact with them throughout the winter and suddenly those seniors couldn't honor their commitment a couple of weeks prior to their scheduled arrival. It really leaves those parks in a bad way. They are now scrambling to find help. On the other hand I have had young workers full of ambition and energy who were a great asset. Sadly they had to go back to college. Integrity, work ethic and the like isn't lacking in young people and isn't ingrained in the older generations.

Thank you for that rebuttal. Every generation has good and bad. Sure, I think too few parents are passing on a solid work ethic but it's definitely out there. I bet there are lots of hard working college students who would make great help. Of course as you stated, they won't be around for the fall season.

What can happen to normally reliable seniors who cancel on short notice can usually be traced to a medical problem or illness. Even with that possibility, I'd still go with a senior couple as my primary choice.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

westernrvparkowner wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:

wepampercampers wrote:
Thanks for the STR reminder. I've done this before but get lax when campgrounds are opening and I'm in a panic to hire.

Some people accept the job then don't bother to show up at all!

I hope this is not a growing trend with the younger generation.

Very sadly it IS!

IMHO This new generation is not worth my time interviewing. They are the worst. You might find one out of a hundred that is worth hiring.
They lack education and social skills BIG time. All they care about is themselves and their iPhone.:(

And they ARE the ones most likely to accept the position and don't show up. You are left sitting there believing you have filled a position and are left holding the bag trying to run that position and again trying to find someone for it.

Hire Retired Seniors.
Educated, bught up right, have social skills to spare, and willing and able to learn new tasks. IMHO the only way to go.:C

Sorry, but I personally know of three parks where they hired retired seniors for workamping positions this fall, stayed in contact with them throughout the winter and suddenly those seniors couldn't honor their commitment a couple of weeks prior to their scheduled arrival. It really leaves those parks in a bad way. They are now scrambling to find help. On the other hand I have had young workers full of ambition and energy who were a great asset. Sadly they had to go back to college. Integrity, work ethic and the like isn't lacking in young people and isn't ingrained in the older generations.

Thank you for that rebuttal. Every generation has good and bad. Sure, I think too few parents are passing on a solid work ethic but it's definitely out there. I bet there are lots of hard working college students who would make great help. Of course as you stated, they won't be around for the fall season.

[4X4Dodger]

NoVa RT wrote:
Check with prior employers. Doesn't guarantee that much, but it is part of your due diligence.

Prior employers CANNOT give out negative information and the vast vast majority will only tell you if the person is eligible for re-hire. Many have stopped that practice as it implies a problem that may not exist.

Most now will only verify work dates.

Remember Employers and HR departments are made up of people. They can have their own set of prejudices, axes to grind and so forth. Some companies are just downright petty.

I have relied on the interview, very clear expectations set out at the very beginning and re-iterated often. I make it clear to them that being on time is non negotiable. If they are late more than once I sit them down and ask them if they like their job? If so don't be late again.

[tracyb-oh]

NoVa RT wrote:
Check with prior employers. Doesn't guarantee that much, but it is part of your due diligence.

This may not get you much. I worked for a major national retailer for over 30 years. When someone called about an person who had previously worked there, all we could do was confirm they worked there and the length of their employment. We were not allowed by legal to say anything else about them good, bad or otherwise. Not much help for a future employer to work with sad to say.

[NoVa_RT]

Check with prior employers. Doesn't guarantee that much, but it is part of your due diligence.

[westernrvparkow]

rockhillmanor wrote:

wepampercampers wrote:
Thanks for the STR reminder. I've done this before but get lax when campgrounds are opening and I'm in a panic to hire.

Some people accept the job then don't bother to show up at all!

I hope this is not a growing trend with the younger generation.

Very sadly it IS!

IMHO This new generation is not worth my time interviewing. They are the worst. You might find one out of a hundred that is worth hiring.
They lack education and social skills BIG time. All they care about is themselves and their iPhone.:(

And they ARE the ones most likely to accept the position and don't show up. You are left sitting there believing you have filled a position and are left holding the bag trying to run that position and again trying to find someone for it.

Hire Retired Seniors.
Educated, bught up right, have social skills to spare, and willing and able to learn new tasks. IMHO the only way to go.:C

Sorry, but I personally know of three parks where they hired retired seniors for workamping positions this fall, stayed in contact with them throughout the winter and suddenly those seniors couldn't honor their commitment a couple of weeks prior to their scheduled arrival. It really leaves those parks in a bad way. They are now scrambling to find help. On the other hand I have had young workers full of ambition and energy who were a great asset. Sadly they had to go back to college. Integrity, work ethic and the like isn't lacking in young people and isn't ingrained in the older generations.

[bgum]

rockhillmanor has the right idea. Hire from the list take your chances but don't be afraid to cull.

[rockhillmanor]

wepampercampers wrote:
Thanks for the STR reminder. I've done this before but get lax when campgrounds are opening and I'm in a panic to hire.

Some people accept the job then don't bother to show up at all!

I hope this is not a growing trend with the younger generation.

Very sadly it IS!

IMHO This new generation is not worth my time interviewing. They are the worst. You might find one out of a hundred that is worth hiring.
They lack education and social skills BIG time. All they care about is themselves and their iPhone.:(

And they ARE the ones most likely to accept the position and don't show up. You are left sitting there believing you have filled a position and are left holding the bag trying to run that position and again trying to find someone for it.

Hire Retired Seniors.
Educated, brought up right, have social skills to spare, and willing and able to learn new tasks. IMHO the only way to go.:C