Attitude, aptitude and education

In qualifying for a job, the candidate’s attitude is often more important than aptitude and education

1 of 2Justin Giroux is the manager of EMCO Plumbing & Heating Supplies in Cranbrook, B.C. — Marie Milner photo

2 of 2(L to R) Justin (manager), Mirko (wholesale supervisor), Samantha (inside sales), Renaud (buyer) and David (inside sales), of EMCO Plumbing & Heating Supplies, Cranbrook, B.C. — Marie Milner photo

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With the 2014 College of the Rockies Career & Job Fair fast approaching, we’d like to offer some information that might help job seekers in their search. Kootenay Business asked Justin Giroux, manager of EMCO Plumbing & Heating Supplies in Cranbrook, B.C., about the elements EMCO looks for in a potential employee.

What specific characteristics are you looking for when you’re hiring?
I’m looking for the best fit for our company’s culture. It means the candidate doesn’t necessarily have to have an aptitude for plumbing and heating or industrial piping, but more that they have confidence, a positive attitude and an entrepreneurial spirit that includes drive and determination to succeed.

What do you mean by company culture?
EMCO is pretty unique in that each profit centre operates as an independent store and each of us is encouraged to think like an owner. That means each team member can act like an owner within their role, resulting in a much deeper investment in the success of the department and the store as a whole. We share our successes and failures and learn from them. The company backs up the idea of ownership by having a profit-sharing plan for the team members.

How do you determine if a candidate is suitable for the job?
I like to ask the candidate about a challenge they’ve overcome, at school or at work or in their personal lives. Their answer usually suggests to me whether this person is driven to succeed and maybe has an entrepreneurial spirit. Having had a paper route or a lemonade stand or a history of babysitting may not mean they’re entrepreneurial, but it shows they have a good work ethic and want to advance themselves. The creativity that’s part of the entrepreneurial spirit is important to us.

Do you provide training for new employees?
EMCO prides itself on the training it provides on the job and outside of work. We have a target of at least 40 hours of training per teammate per year. We’re always training them to perform better.

What’s another good reason to look for a career with EMCO?
We’re the largest wholesale distributor of plumbing, heating, infrastructure supplies and industrial supplies in Canada, with over 200 locations from coast to coast. Job postings come up every week, offering positions across the country, so if you’re willing to move, a lot of doors are open. Even within this store, because of our ownership philosophy, the sky’s the limit. If someone has the tenacity and the creativity to take us to another level, to a new market segment or a new customer base, that person can carve their own career path.

I love the potential we have here to dream big and live into the dream. My greatest reward from being with this company is seeing my teammates learn new skills and apply them towards improving our business and improving customer interactions. It makes me proud.