Recruitment Strategies for Construction Companies

As unemployment rates have dipped to near historic lows, hiring the right people has not only become more important, it has become more difficult. Costs are up, labor is more expensive than ever and materials also sky high. With this being said, it is time to audit your recruitment strategy to ensure you are hiring the best candidate in the construction industry.

As in any industry, hiring the right people to get the job done makes a huge difference in the success of the project. Employees may come and go, but having a good pool of candidates to fill those spots is key.

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Here are 5 questions you can ask yourself when looking at your hiring for your construction company:

1) Do They Have Construction Job Experience?

There is a lot to be said about experience, especially in the construction industry. Someone who has only worked on residential facilities may not have the knowledge or expertise to work on a high-rise or medical facility. When choosing to hire someone make sure that they are capable of completing the specific jobs you need done.

2) What Certifications Do Your New Hires Have?

This is important. Skilled construction workers are in increasingly high demand which has forced changes in many recruiting strategies. Individuals that take the time to get certified in specialty areas demonstrate they are committed and are well-suited for the job. Having certified workers on your team only adds to the professionalism and brand image of your company, helping position you for lucrative contracts.

3) Are You Hiring Reliable Employees?

Knowing whether or not a person is reliable is key. Look at their past projects. Have they seen them through to completion? Why or why not? What is their track record, and do they have good references that can attest to their work? These are very important questions to ask when hiring employees and sub-contractors for projects. Any shabby work or questionable work ethic will reflect poorly on you.

4) What is Their Ability to Communicate?

Being able to understand the scope of the project and effectively communicate with co-workers, the project manager and the foreman is an integral part of working in the industry. Things happen every day on construction sites that need to be conveyed in a clear and concise manner. Having someone who cannot communicate well could end up costing the company a lot of money and tarnishing their reputation. You want employees that will represent the company well.

Not only does communication help solve problems faster, but it also creates a positive work environment that keeps employees showing each day ready to work.

5) Do Your New Employees Have the Drive to Succeed?

There are a lot of individuals that show up on construction sites looking for work and it can sometimes be hard to pick the right people for the job. As you assess these individuals, consider the following:

• Have they shown up every day?

• Have they been there early, either with or before the standing crew?

• Have they shown initiative to find out about the project to seek out who the hiring manager is?

• Have they spoken to other employees about the hiring process?

These are key indicators that this is someone you may want on your team. If they show a high caliber of professionalism, drive, and are determined to get an interview, chances are this is a good candidate for the job. While it is hard to beat hiring experienced and skilled construction workers, finding a person who is capable of learning quickly and is driven to succeed is also a great place to start. Employees that are helped grow into their roles are often loyal to the company and stick around for years.