A Solar Electric Power Co. (better known as SEPCO) (No. 191 on the Solar Power World Top 400 list) installation
Liz Karschner, head of sales and marketing for Solar Electric Power Co. (better known as SEPCO) (No. 191 on the Solar Power World Top 400 list) has worked for the company for nine years.
In that time, she’s noticed that, unlike so many companies in the industry, few employees have left. Karschner believes she knows the reason.
“When we are looking for a new addition to our team, we look for someone who fits well with our company culture and who can work cohesively with our current staff,” Karschner says. “We go through applications to find the Top 10 or so that have the skills for which we are looking.”
If you are fortunate enough to be invited to an interview, expect a thorough grilling from the SEPCO team. There is no place at the company for people who are unwilling or unable to get along with the people with the rest of the team. After all, all it takes is one weak worker to put an entire installation crew in danger.
“When we ask someone to come in for an interview, they don’t just meet one person — they are introduced and interviewed by everyone in the department in which they will be working most closely,” Karschner says.
“We don’t think it makes sense to have only a handful of employees interview candidates,” she adds. “After all, the person will have to fit in with the culture and adhere to the standards others have set. It’s a rigorous process.”
SEPCO also provides extensive — and potentially expensive — training. The company is careful about who it hires because they don’t want to spend all that money and then have to do it again in a year if the person isn’t the right fit.
“What’s been thrilling for me is that everyone that was here when I started is still here,” Karschner says.