Finding the right employee can be a daunting task, especially if you are a small business owner without a human resources department. However; that was not the case for Railway City Brewing. The food and beverage manufacturer employs over 30 people in roles such as accounting, sales and marketing, production, logistics, retail and packaging and just expanded to the international market. And when it came time to hiring, Controller, Nathan McDaniel said he called Gord Hall, a Job Developer at Employment Services Elgin, for assistance.
“He is my ‘go to’ guy. He knows what type of funding I can get to help off-set some of the costs for hiring and growing the business. He takes the time to understand our company and finds the right candidates that will fit into our company culture. We have a family atmosphere (at Railway City Brewing) and want to have employees who have those same type of values,” said McDaniel.
McDaniel said he also attends local job fairs and will contact Fanshawe College to find employees. “It’s important to get out into the community and find out who is out there. You never know where you’ll find your next great employee.”
Enter, Elaine Welbourn; two years ago she had to stop working after being diagnosed with cancer. After winning the battle, she was ready to return to work, but didn’t know where to start. She went to Employment Services Elgin, where they taught her how to write her resume, sell herself in an interview and understand what type of skills she could bring to a business. “It felt like everyone in that building was helping me. They knew who were hiring and would give me advice on which businesses I would fit into,” said Elaine. “Not only do they help you work on the skills to find a job, they also let you know when local job fairs will be held, so you can meet employers who are looking to hire.”
That’s where Elaine and Nathan met. Elaine was attending a job fair and Nathan was looking for an Accounts Receivable Clerk. She spoke with Nathan who invited her to interview for the position. “It’s not just about having the right skills and experience,” said McDaniel, “while you do need to know how to do the job, it’s your personality that helps us determine if you will be a good fit for the company. Elaine’s demeanor and passion for wanting to make the company succeed, helped her land the spot at Railway City Brewing.”
It’s that positive, team environment and leadership from the top, which helps Railway City Brewing continue to grow and expand into new markets. So, the next time you’re planning on hiring, take a look at the resources within your community and you might be surprised at who you’ll find.
