Skilled Carpenters Wanted | An Interview With Fort Sask Reno’s Founder Jim Beaulieu
Interviewer: Hey there, welcome back to the Fort Sask Reno YouTube channel! I’m Trevor, and today I’m interviewing the man with the plan, Mr. Jim Bull. How are you doing, sir?
Jim: TR, thank you. I’m well.
The Beginnings of Fort Sask Reno
Interviewer: Awesome. Let’s dive in. Fort Sask Reno started back in what year?
Jim: 2007. It was just me and a million kids.
Interviewer: A million kids?
Jim: Yeah, a million children. A million-strong workforce.
Interviewer: That’s how small businesses often start—a guy with a dream and a plan. You’ve got to feed your family, so there’s no other choice.
Jim: True. It was win or starve. That was it. I had to make it happen. I had no choice but to succeed.
The Vision for Fort Sask Reno
Interviewer: And now, most of your family works in the company. What’s the long-term vision for Fort Sask Reno?
Jim: We’re currently in our 18th year, and the vision is to create a system that works well and runs on its own. That’s the dream—to have a business that operates hands-off.
We’re in the process of hiring to fill key positions. We’re looking for senior people to take on leadership roles.
Interviewer: That’s awesome. Having a plan for the future shows both employees and customers that you’re here to stay. It’s not just a quick setup to make a few bucks and then disappear.
Hiring for the Future
Interviewer: Speaking of planning for the future, let’s talk about hiring. Who are you looking for right now, and what’s your process?
Jim: At the moment, we’re looking for exterior carpenters—specialists in siding, soffits, fascia, eavestroughs, doors, and window installs. There’s high demand for exterior work this time of year, especially heading into fall and winter.
We’re also looking for interior leads for bathrooms, basements, and full developments.
Skills and Values for New Hires
Interviewer: For the exterior carpenter role, beyond technical skills, what other qualities are you looking for in a candidate?
Jim: Communication is key. We assume that anyone applying understands the technical role—it’s well-defined in our job postings. But can they communicate well? Can they read and follow basic instructions?
Interviewer: What about leadership? They’d need to guide helpers, coordinate with suppliers, and communicate with you and Tom.
Jim: Absolutely. Communication skills with the customer are the most important. That’s why we’ve been so successful—we take the time to understand what’s most important to the client and deliver.
The Group Interview Process
Jim: We use a group interview process to filter candidates. It’s a simple system. We send out invites to all the applicants. For example, we have one next week with 27 people invited. If half show up, that’s great.
Interviewer: What do you ask them to bring?
Jim: Four things: a resume, a cover letter, questions for us, and an explanation of why they want to work for Fort Sask Reno. It’s all spelled out in the Indeed ad and the invitation.
Interviewer: That’s the first test—can they follow instructions?
Jim: Exactly. If they can do that, we move to the next level and review their resume seriously.
Why Do You Want to Work Here?
Interviewer: The most important question is: why do you want to work for Fort Sask Reno? How can someone stand out?
Jim: We want people who’ve researched us and understand our values. During the group interview, we review what’s most important to us. Candidates need to demonstrate they align with those values.
Interviewer: A good answer would be, “I noticed you care about your customers and the quality of your work. I want to work for a company that values its customers and takes pride in its results.”
Jim: Perfect answer. That’s how we’ve become the highest-rated company in Fort Saskatchewan—by caring for our clients and ensuring their happiness.
Reputation and Commitment
Interviewer: Reputation is everything, especially in a small town like Fort Saskatchewan. How many people live here?
Jim: Around 20,000.
Interviewer: In a town that size, word spreads quickly, especially bad news.
Jim: Exactly. That’s why we focus on doing the best work and fixing any issues right away.
Interviewer: And your clients clearly appreciate it, given your high reviews.
Lifetime Workmanship Guarantee
Interviewer: Let’s talk about your guarantee. How long is it?
Jim: We offer a lifetime workmanship guarantee. If there’s ever an issue, we want our clients to come to us. We’re local, and we stand behind our work.
Interviewer: That’s incredible. It shows your commitment to quality and your confidence in your work.
Closing Thoughts
Interviewer: If anyone needs work done in Fort Saskatchewan, visit FortSaskReno.com. Fill out the form, give them a call, and Jim or someone from the team will come out to give you a fair and reasonable quote.
Jim: Thanks so much, Trevor.
Interviewer: Thank you, Jim. We’ll have to do this again.
Jim: For sure. Thanks, everyone!