Art Snarzyk has helped his share of painting contractors find qualified employees. But the founder of InnerView Advisors, a consulting firm that helps contractors get an edge in identifying solid job candidates, finds one common problem in interview situations. Sometimes, an interviewer may not communicate what the candidate really wants to know about the company before he or she signs on as an employee. Here are five things a good applicant loves to hear from you in an interview:

This position will teach you …

Get beyond the job description and into what that person will learn, Snarzyk says. If a position teaches customer service skills, time management or something else, the prospective hire probably wants to know. “Let them know how their experience with you is going to provide them development opportunities they will use in this position and in future endeavors,” he added.

We have a career ladder.

The younger painter, and especially someone completely new to the field, wants to know about their progression in the company, Snarzyk added. If there are supervisory or higher-level apprentice opportunities down the road, that prospect would like to know about them. And if you have examples of others moving up in the company to reinforce the statement, even better.

“It’s important to remember that this younger generation isn’t going to camp out quietly and hope you notice them or promote them later. People want to see a clear path from the beginning,” the hiring pro said.

We have a training program.

Having a training system is critical for hires that are new to the field. An employee needs to know guidance and mentorship is in place. Painting companies can use online training tools alongside on-the-job experience, adds Jeff Winter, Sherwin-Williams VP of residential marketing. “Establishing a process and sharing that process during the interview can help in securing the right candidate,” he added.

Community involvement is important to us.

After a lot of talk about job details, community involvement can be a refreshing change of course in the interview. Even better, give examples of the organizations you’ve helped in the past and ask for input on the types of groups the candidate would like to support. “This is a huge differentiator to younger generations, and fosters an engaged team,” Winter noted.

Our customer satisfaction ratings are high and we have a backlog of work.

Modesty is great, but if you’re busy and customers love you, say it. It adds a layer of reassurance that lets the interviewee know he or she is aligning with a quality employer. This is a good time to also shed light on your business goals and expectations for a high standard of work.

“New employees want to know that they’re joining a company with a good reputation and one that will provide sustained employment for them,” Winter said.

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