inside and outside sales, and branch managers.
“ We’ re looking at people who have our core values,” Reece said.“ We do like to promote from within the company.”
Scott Wilmoth, 35, started as a delivery helper and was promoted to window service technician.
Then, he moved up to inside sales, where he helped customers in the store. Recently, Wilmoth was promoted to outside sales and now works to bring in new business. He has been with the company for 11 years.
“ My first job was as a corrections officer,” Wilmoth said.“ I realized criminal justice doesn’ t pay much. When I got married and started a family, I was looking for a better lifestyle.”
Wilmoth heard a neighbor talking about a job at ABC Supply. He applied and got the job.
“ I feel welcome here,” Wilmoth said.“ I feel like I matter.”
Michael Villegas also advanced his career after he started as a driver’ s helper 11 years ago.
“ I was looking for a job,” Villegas said.“ I’ d worked in fast food and as a framer in construction.” He soon became a driver – a job he loved. However, an opportunity opened to become a warehouse manager.
“ Moving up has provided me with more responsibility and helped me grow in my career,” Villegas said.“ I had goals to be someone better so I decided to move up.”
He’ s still moving up. Villegas was recently promoted to inside sales.
The company helps employees advance by focusing on training, said Don Willard, Managing Partner of the local store.
“ We do ABC University online training and back it up with hands-on training,” Willard explained.
Training topics include how to handle hazardous material, how to operate a forklift, how to use protective equipment, and even how to answer the phone.
Finding new people with the right qualifications has not been easy. The best people aren’ t looking for work, Reece explained. They are already employed.
The local branch has 28 employees plus 10 more in summer from a temp agency.
“ The summer is our busy time of year, when construction is at its peak,” Willard said.
“ We hire a lot of folks from word of mouth, he added.“ They might be friends of our associates. We also look at the temp workers to see if they have potential. We’ ve seen their work ethic.”
There is plenty of room to grow at ABC Supply. The Wiscosinbased company has 600 stores and plans to open 100 more in the next two to three years.
Applicants can improve their chances of being hired by following advice from company employees.
“ You need to know basic math, how to calculate linear feet, square footage and roof pitch. It’ s helpful to be able to read blueprints, type and do 10-key,” Wilmoth said.
The more knowledge you can give to customers, the more valuable you are to them, he added.
Many people don’ t know how to market themselves, Reese said. Applicants need to know the company before the interview. Do research and have questions besides just asking what the job pays.
“ You need the basics,” Reece said.“ You come to work and have good ethics. You’ re reasonable with people and have communication skills, but basic things aren’ t basic anymore.”
“ Never look at a position as beneath you,” Reece said.“ You can make progress.”
Be on time, he added. Don’ t put pressure on other employees to do their jobs and yours, too.
“ Be willing to do whatever is asked of you,” Willard said.“ Be passionate about what you are doing.”
“ If you have an idea of a certain job you want, it doesn’ t mean you can just walk into it,” Reece said.“ Work every day, work hard and work with others. Look people in eye and tell them the truth.”
“ Do the right thing when no one is looking,” Wilmoth said.“ Do a good job all the time.”
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