[Jewelry making - Article 00204] - Re: [Orchid] [Job Offer] Bench Jeweler

[John Sexton]

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Marc: 

    Telling this forum will probably get your need before more people
    that your other attempts. That is not a slam of GIA or any other
    trade school or organization. But as an example I have not seen this
    until now. I am not looking for work because I am now retired but I
    would like to address a couple of your points/ questions. "either
    list my job of find qualified jewelers?" As you might have seen from
    previous post the term Qualified Jewelers can seem to mean different
    things to different people. I don't believe that a standard has been
    set for what a qualified jeweler is. You might need more definition
    of skills required. "We are looking just for a person that can
    actually work in jewelry. Nothing too incredible, just basic tasks
    with knowledge in most metals and a= ttention to detail." This sounds
    reasonable enough but I'm not sure h= ow many people you will find
    that can handle "most metals". Gold and Silver are one thing, White
    Gold and Platinum a different animal and if you are including
    Titanium.. well you get the picture. Each of these takes a similar
    but also different skill set from Soldering to Laser Welding and
    possibly plating skills. Do they need to be able to remove and or
    set stones? 

    "Are we asking for too much? " Not at all if those are your ne= eds.
    but realize you are looking for an experienced bench jeweler.
    (Please everyone tell if I am off base OK? I don't want to be giving
    incorrect info here. Maybe misguided but no malice intended). "Is it
    right for individuals to ask 20-30 dollars an hour to not even be
    able to do a simple silver repair?" Yes it is right if it is what
    they need to live. 

    But you certainly don't have to pay it they cannot do the job.
    However if you find the person it looks like you need I certainly
    hope you are willing to pay that person more than 20-30 dollars an
    hour. Have you hired a plumber lately? is you bench jeweler worth
    less to you than a plumber? How much schooling and experience does it
    require to get a plumbers job and how much training and experience
    will the person need to have to fill your position? Comparable, more,
    less? Again I do not wish to offend you I'm just try to give a little
    perspective. 

    "Are we so antiquated as to actually expect quality work from them? "
    Not at all. If you want quality, expect quality. That is your need
    and if the applicants can't fill that need then you don't owe them
    anything except maybe, and only maybe, and explanation of what you
    expect and why you don't feel they will fill your needs. Just be
    careful to not give then grounds for a law suit. And in your state
    maybe the laws are such that you cannot give that kind of explanation
    with a rejection of application. 

    The last thing I might add is that if you don't find what it sounds
    like you are looking for. Could you maybe bring on someone that has
    had basic, underline basic, bench skills and train them up too the
    level you need? This could be a win win situation. For you a lower
    employee overhead, and a chance to develop the skills you desire the
    person to have. If want to keep them then you will have to increase
    their pay as their skills go up. For the lucky applicant, they get
    the opportunity to gain the valuable training, and experience so
    needed to get and keep a good position. Now retention of this
    individual will require fair and honest wages commensurate with their
    ability and the standard wages in your area. Also a good clean and
    encouraging work environment. That does not mean just the brick and
    mortar it includes how you each handle your communications etc. 

    Didn't mean to give a sermon or lecture but I hope I've said
    something that will help. Remember you as a boss/manager/owner
    whatever must also represent and act in accordance with the way you
    want your employees to act. Set the example, meet their needs and
    they will meet yours. It's called Effective Leadership. 

    Good luck and hope you can either find that perfect person and if
    you can't then think about training one. 

John (Jack) Sexton
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