hired a 54-year-old electrician who'd been out of work for eight months. he's the best employee i've ever had.
his name is gary. found him on a local facebook group in november. he'd posted looking for work. 54, certified, 28 years experience, laid off when his previous employer closed.
the post had three responses. all from people wishing him luck. nobody offering work.
i called him mostly because i felt for the guy. we met at a costa in stockport. he showed up in a pressed shirt, ten minutes early, with a printed copy of his certifications in a clear folder.
he started the next week. first day he rewired a consumer unit in about half the time i'd budgeted for it. the client called me that evening to say "that electrician is the most professional tradesman who has ever been in my house."
seven months later he's my lead on every job. clients request him specifically. he mentors the younger lads on site without being asked. he shows up at 7:45 every morning and i have never once had to follow up on anything he's said he would do.
he told me over a coffee last month that the eight months of unemployment nearly broke him. that he'd started to think his age was the problem and nobody would hire him again.
the hiring market is obsessed with young and hungry. gary is neither young nor particularly hungry in the way startup culture means it. he is steady and thorough and experienced and completely reliable and those qualities are worth more than every 23-year-old hustler combined.
i got lucky. he got unlucky. the luck ran in both directions the day i called.