Recruitment process consulting for Car Rental Agencies: finding chauffeurs clients will ask for again
Chauffeur hiring in a rental agency often happens by phone call, on a Sunday, because a booking is waiting. A routine that tests manner as well as driving gives you drivers clients ask for by name.
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Share your requirementsWhy recruitment process consulting matters in car rental agencies
Agencies hire drivers through other drivers, taxi stands and past colleagues. It works quickly, but a driver who is good with a tourist family on a hill road may be poor at a corporate airport pickup. The agency sees the difference only after a complaint.
A short routine helps: a clear picture of each type of duty, a driving trial on your own road mix, a short chat to hear how the candidate speaks to a customer, and a reference call to the last owner or agency. The booking desk needs a different test, focused on listening, accuracy and patience on the phone.
How to set it up
1. Separate the duty types
List corporate, airport, tourist, wedding and outstation duties, and note what each asks of a driver. Match candidates to the types they can do, rather than to a general title.
2. Run a driving and manner trial
Ride with the candidate on a short route, noting smoothness, route sense and how he speaks to the person beside him. A fleet manager, not only a senior driver, should join.
3. Check references in person
Speak to the last employer or agency about punctuality, conduct and trip handling, and write down what was said. For documents and files, see HR documentation process.
4. Test desk candidates with a mock booking
Give a few details by phone and ask the candidate to note and repeat back a booking with times, addresses and special requests.
5. Probation with a named mentor
Each new chauffeur rides with or is checked by a senior driver for the first few duties, and the desk executive is paired with a senior executive for the first weeks.
Check these first
Before changing anything, find out what is true today. These take an afternoon and use your own records.
- Look at the last five chauffeur hires and see what each trial would have shown.
- Ask the desk how often a booking detail was wrongly noted last month.
- Count how many clients have asked for a specific driver by name.
- Check references for the last ten hires and see how many were actually made.
GullyHR can do this with you. Read how we approach recruitment process consulting in general, or share your requirements and we will tell you where to start.
Questions owners ask
Experience helps, but manner matters more. A newer driver with good manner and a willingness to learn may serve clients better than an experienced one who cuts corners. Trial both.
Ask your best drivers, past corporate clients' drivers and larger agencies' former staff. Tell candidates plainly what the account expects in dress, punctuality and discretion.
Punctuality, conduct with passengers, vehicle care, honesty with trip charges and the reason for leaving. A short call to the last owner often tells you more than a form.