Hiring for a workroom: What to Say
Hiring for a drapery workroom can be challenging. It can seem like the best fabricators are taken and that everyone else is unaware of our industry. Here is the approach that helped me find excellent staff for my workroom.
Hiring Those without Experience
A drapery workroom greatly benefits from having an assistant to help with fabrication and organizational tasks. A person with little or no experience in our industry can be trained to be an extra set of hands in the workroom. You can easily train someone to help with these tasks:
Inspecting fabrics for yardage and flaws
Measuring and cutting fabrics
Folding and bagging finished products
Checking inventory (linings, pillow inserts, etc.)
Inspecting hardware
Inserting pillow and cushion inserts
Ironing fabric
Cleaning the workspace
Organizing the workspace
Start by hiring someone part-time for two half days each week. Plan ahead what you will have them do so that they are productive and make a significant contribution to your business.
WHAT TO SAY:
"I have a business where I make beautiful things for home interiors like draperies and pillows. I am looking for someone to help me. Do you know anyone who might be interested in working part time?”
Great candidates may be someone who wants to earn some extra money and only work a few days a week. Students, retirees, and stay-at-home moms are all candidates that can often be a great fit.
If you find you have a good working relationship you can invest in training novices on basic sewing skills. It doesn't take long to teach someone how to sew, especially using a straight stitch machine. Remember, many people find it very satisfying to make something with their hands. Not everyone likes a desk job where they have to sit at a computer all day. Many people want to learn the skill and gift of making beautiful things!
“I have a business where I make beautiful things for home interiors like draperies and pillows. I am looking for someone to help me.
Do you know anyone who might be interested in working part-time?”
PRO TIP:
Leave the interaction with a physical reminder. Handing them a business card or exchanging contact information via a text message is a great way to stay in touch.
Hope Arbery
QUIPA Founder