Interviews for the junior cabinet maker have taken place. I short listed four in the end and took it offline with the Job Centre after three days and about 60 applicants. First one should never have made the short list. Young lad with not enough experience and definitely not enough development potential. Number two had been to college to study furniture and had in three years developed three pieces of furniture over a total of over 4,000 hours and could not seem to grasp why I did not think this was a highly commercial proposition. Number three was just lovely – one of those people who it is instantaneously a pleasure to be talking to. From Lithuania originally but with excellent English, and at management level over there, plus with large amounts of general woodworking experience. Number four I also warmed to – very pleasant English lad who I felt very comfortable with and, again, with good general woodworking experience. Sent both three and four over to assembly for line manager and team to have a chat to. Feedback was that both were great but number three seemed almost too good and number four seemed to fit in quicker with rest of team. On reflection, I realised why. Number four had a lot of problems in his personal life and while I was sympathetic to them, could see that these might easily affect his work and in fact he could turn out to be yet another absolutely sweet but non-performing, high-maintenance member of staff, such as we have a habit of recruiting. This, of course, was why the team felt instantly at home.  Have given job to number three. Know we are lucky to have him. Will be a joy to work with, and equally important 100 per cent professional. This is the way forward!

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