Really surprising. The job market in Boston is awful. People graduate from all the colleges there and want to stay. Over the last few years many of their jobs have disappeared. These are maybe 30-somethings who've been gainfully employed in good jobs. They try to stay in the area because all their friends are there. What they should do is move to another state, but they resist for a long time, staying afloat by taking whatever part-time jobs they can find. I am talking about some of my daughter's friends.
So there are a lot of people like that who need jobs. Yes, they are over-educated for your friend's job, and some of them will not be good workers. But a lot of them would be very glad to have that job and would do it well.
I think it comes down to this: what is he offering to pay, and how is he advertising? If he emphasizes the organizational skills this job needs, he may attract better candidates. He doesn't need someone willing to do this for life.

Based on your description, he needs two people. One to manage the paperwork/office end and track inventory and another to do the "warehouse" functions of packing, unpacking and breaking down boxes. Inventory reception should be as the boxes are emptied but the evaluation of current inventory levels should be in the front office. Shipping out is also a warehouse function, with orders coming from the front for pull and pack. Each could be a part time position if there is not enough yet for a full day or week.

Frankly, one person should not be doing it all unless they have a vested interest in the business.

Where to look? Try universities, neighborhood papers, a sign in the window. Be very clear on the responsibilities of the job. Don't expect the office person to do the shipping without being told about it up front.

I think this would be an excellent opportunity for a woman re-entering the work force or "leaning in" whether due to kids now in school, single mom, divorce, etc. I imagine the pay won't be great, but if he can offer some flexibility in hours that would make up for a lot, especially for someone who just wants a respectable job but isnt necessarily expecting some great career right off the bat. I've got friends who either have these types of jobs or would love one. If someone isn't willing to do soup to nuts, from sweeping to purchasing, find someone else who is. Last week's NY Magazine had an article about this return to work which has gotten a lot of buzz. I didn't read it but it might be worth searching out.

I'd google and ask around to see if there are any local women's groups focused on this issue who might have suitable candidates.

My first thought was college interns, but hearing my wife complain about their frequent entitlement issues would have me shy away from that option. On the other hand, I just spoke with her and she thinks people are clammoring for internships and might jump at the opportunity.

One thing I would caution is to present the job - and future growth or lack thereof - honestly. No employee is happy when promised things that don't come to fruition. I've been there.

I agree with Peppi. I see too many job listings that have a list of duties that is a mile long. The odds of finding someone who is willing and/or able to do them all well is pretty slim. So, you end up with people like he has now, who say they can or will do all the tasks but inevitably fail.

I'd love to find a PT job doing the office tasks. I have excellent organization skills (except in my own home). Hwever, Ican;t do the packing and shipping, in other words, the physical tass. I suppose I COULD do them but I would be slow at it and bored out of my mind.

I think he needs to rewrite the job(s) description to something more realistic. He may be totally invested in his own business, but somebody else just wants a job, not an obsession.

Ditto!!!
My friend was let go from her job due to a switch in management strategy. They gave her an unattainable goal and then slammed her for not meeting it. Two of her co-workers resigned before firing, but she held on, hoping for a change in job description.
Recently she saw the job posted online and it's a combination of her duties and one of her co-workers jobs-- All that "fun" for a lower pay grade and double the work!

Employers just have to be realistic. It's like when my kids were young and I was working full time. I needed someone to help out in the house. I could find those who were great at childcare, but lousy at housekeeping, or the reverse. Your friend needs two different people for two different jobs.
Edited for readability!

This post was edited by compumom on Sun, Aug 18, 13 at 3:06

It's essentially a one man show. Yet it needs two employees to free up some of his time? I'd start slow, with one, and see how it goes. See if he can keep up with his business plan with one salary before he commits to two.

Not everyone will want to do everything. These responses prove that. He needs to find someone who does.

I would do it all. I can't be the only one.

Has he thought about an intern from the local university? Trial for both parties! And university students are quite happy to learn the ropes in exchange for working hard. They're happy to get a foot in the door.

I've tried to respond to this post a couple of times.Tough question. Having just hired (a full crew for the first time in two years!), my best advice would be 'go with your gut'.

The profession is different, but we also have a need for multiple skills....clerical, customer service, tech support, reference, filing and the ability to fend off all the people who want to dump on you as they are checking out the do-it-yourself divorce book. And the pay sucks. And everyone wants to work at the liberry because, "I looove to read. I have no skills, but I can learn!" argh.

In my experience patience and a three-month probation have paid off. Good luck to your friend.

I frequently hire recent college grads. I have a long list of interview questions that ask applicants to cite specific examples of what/how they accomplished tasks, what they found challenging, what there strengths are, etc. If you cannot get thoughtful, specific answers, there is a reason and I do not pursue them.

I also do thorough reference checks, although that is getting more difficult all the time as some employers will only indicate whether they would rehire or not. I also ask for personal references such as former professors/teachers. And again, I have questions asking references to cite specific, concrete examples.

It may well be that the work he needs performed will require two different people, OR, he might specifically look for a young, ambitious person who dreams of starting a business someday -- what great on the job experience this job could provide! And as someone else mentioned, there might be a possibility of finding an intern from one of the local colleges/universities -- perhaps someone dreaming of a fashion career.

Being recently unemployed I thought I would take a stab at this. What is he asking for in the add? How does he describe the position?

I agree that this may be two positions. "Breaking down boxes" is what would scare me off. I struggle sometimes with breaking down household boxes for the recycling bin. The other stuff is fine.

Like dedtired I'm looking for a part time office job that does not required physical labor. While college grads have been mentioned a college degree is not needed for that job so I hope he isn't requiring it.

Here is an out of the box idea.

My DS is a college student who works part time at a local supermarket chain. His good attitude and hard work was noticed by a customer who hired him to do some yard work on the side. Now has offered him a job at the business that he owns so DS may now leave the supermarket for a better job.

The point is...have your friend look around when he is out and about. Have conversations with waitresses, store workers, etc. He may find someone.

This post was edited by debrak2008 on Fri, Sep 6, 13 at 14:22