Recruiting Veterans and Women to the Pest Control Industry

Developing specific recruitment strategies and emphasizing industry advantages leads to an increase in veteran and women applicants

The pest control industry is a dynamic industry which offers many opportunities that other industries do not, including working independently, interacting with people, working outdoors and working in a stable, “recession-resistant” industry. Pest control operators are tasked with recruiting, and then retaining, top talent, but how do you find that talent? Have you considered hiring veterans and women?

Many pest control companies have similar cultures of discipline, professionalism, dedication and family as the military. The attitude and character displayed by the people who serve our country translates well to all aspects of the industry, which makes veterans a great addition to any pest control company

Because veterans tend to thrive in our industry, Orkin announced in April its goal to hire 1,000 military veterans over the next five years. This commitment is part of the White House and the First Lady’s Joining Forces initiative, which ensures veterans and military families have the opportunities, resources and recognition they have earned through serving the country.

“We have many great success stories of military veterans having great careers at Orkin,” said Henry Anthony, Rollins vice president of human resources. “I am convinced we have the values, the commitment to training and development and a stable financial bearing to attract our returning heroes to the pest control industry.”

The Department of Labor defines a non-traditional job as an occupation in which women make up 25 percent or less of all workers in that occupation. According to this definition, many pest control positions are considered non-traditional jobs for women. However, more than 50 percent of the current workforce is female. The number of women in the pest control industry is not rising at the same rate as the number of women in the rest of the American workforce.

In order to make the pest control industry successful in the current market, pest control operators must recruit and retain talented females, as well as male, co-workers through the industry.

It is understood that the pest control industry, on the surface, might not be attractive to women applicants. As a result, the industry must emphasize all of the positive aspects of a career in pest control, including ethical management, financial stability in a recession-proof industry and excellent career growth opportunities.

“Orkin is famous for The Orkin Man, but we’re just as proud of our Orkin women,” said Anthony.

The key to increasing veteran and women applicants is to develop specific recruitment strategies aimed at each of these groups. Pest control operators should always emphasize the advantages to working in the industry: competitive salary and benefits, training options and stable industry.