Applicants flock to pest job ad

An Otago man who offered a ‘‘bloody job’’ to non-whingers has been inundated with potential applicants.

Duane Trafford posted an ad on Trade Me looking for more pest destruction operators to work for his Mosgiel-based pest control company, Predator Contracting LTD.

The description includes seven requirements for any would-be employee, including a ban on those having a mid-life crisis who just want out of their office.

Following publicity, the ad went from 3800 page views to 22,000, as of yesterday afternoon.

Trafford received dozens of supportive calls and emails about his stance, and at least a dozen serious applicants keen to join his staff of 14.

It had been so successful, he was ‘‘going to pull the pin on the ad [yesterday] afternoon’’.

He believed the secret to his successful job advertisement was that ‘‘anything that is not PC has the ability to evoke emotions, and it has certainly done that’’.

Over the past two years, he had issues with employing people and believed ‘‘there seems to be a change of attitude’’.

People were ‘‘soft as hell’’, and he tried to cull those people in the interview process.

He acknowledged the role was ‘‘a hard job’’, with many struggling to be away from their partner and children from Monday to Friday – though that could be a bonus for some.

‘‘[For] some of my older guys who have been around for a while their wives are happy to see the arse end of them.’’

Trafford said it was important he gave a realistic idea of the job to applicants, and if people had the right attributes he could offer them ‘‘a bloody job’’.