Hiring for Growth

Let’s be honest: Not everyone is a perfect fit for the pool industry. It can be a physically demanding job that requires technicians to balance customer service with adhering to best safety practices. When asked about the most important traits for a new worker, employers consistently prioritize “soft skills” over other qualities.

“We are looking for people who show obvious customer service abilities, friendliness, high energy, signs of adaptability and willingness and aptitude to perform physical work,” says Scott Ferguson,
director of growth and development at Payan Pool Service in Southern California. “We don’t expect someone to want to be a pool service technician forever, but we do want someone who is looking for growth and a real career path.”

Dave Hawes, president and owner of H & H Pool Services, is less concerned with new employees being experienced and more interested in learning about them personally.

“I prefer that we get folks who aren’t trained so we don’t have to get rid of bad habits and we can train them how we want them to perform their duties,” Hawes says.

After working in the pool industry for over 50 years, Hawes has also learned to follow his instincts. His company always reviews resumes and runs full DMV checks since staff are driving company vehicles, but the interview helps him get an idea of how things will go. “I’ve got a good idea how [a new hire is] going to treat my vehicle by looking at theirs,” he says.

Hawes explains that while messiness isn’t exactly a red flag, the chemicals technicians are working with can be dangerous if not properly managed and stored. Attention to detail is crucial for his team. He also likes to bring in his service manager, who has over 25 years of experience in the industry, as a second set of eyes and ears during an interview.

Ferguson and Hawes both use recruitment sites, but Hawes prefers to advertise through Craigslist while Ferguson has found success with Indeed. Both find employee referrals to be, by far, the best way to bring on great staff.

Payan Pools offers cash incentives to staff who provide a referral that results in a new hire, and they have rotating schedules, so staff rarely work weekends. Both companies also offer full benefits packages, which strengthens staff retention.

“I love a referral because they already know how the company operates,” Hawes says. “They know the challenges you face and the culture that’s here. At least half of our employees are referrals from existing employees, and I think that’s a big metric as to how you’re doing with the folks you have.”

To succeed in an interview, both Ferguson and Hawes advise candidates to arrive on time. Ferguson goes a step further to encourage candidates to do a little research and have questions ready to go during the interview. Their tips for employers are a bit different.

“This is what I tell everybody in the business — always be hiring,” Hawes says. “Always be hiring for service techs because I can find work a lot faster than I can find good technicians.”

Ferguson emphasizes the importance of branding and having the company website and social media in order. He says the hiring process is a two-way street, and representing your business well will attract better-quality candidates. After finding a good fit for the company, keeping employees engaged and properly trained is the next step.

Ferguson says that under the leadership of Javier Payan, who brings 40 years of experience and a deep commitment to staying at the forefront of his field, the company offers its own weekly training sessions. Payan uses several methods, including virtual meetings, videos, in-person classes and printed materials, to deliver the training — something the entire team enjoys.

Both Payan Pools and H & H Pool Services participate in an apprenticeship program, too.

“The apprenticeship program is a formal, state-approved program, and it is one of the first of its kind in the country,” Ferguson says. “Our team members love it. It gives them a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Their effort in the program shows us that they are committed to a career path, and it ensures they get a well-rounded and thorough training experience.”