Team management, culture and leadership

9 tips for recruiting top construction talent

top construction talent

Construction jobs are in high demand as labor shortages and increased work continues. Since this labor squeeze shows no signs of easing, it’s key that you take the time to improve the way you recruit employees in construction.

Construction companies that are willing to address today’s small candidate market and take the necessary measures to ensure that they get ahead of the competition will be the ones that win out and hire the best workers.

The importance of effective construction recruitment

Smart construction recruitment is critical to the success of any project. The industry is known for its tight timelines and strict deadlines – so quickly filling vacancies with skilled professionals prevents project delays and cost overruns.

Using effective construction recruiting solutions also ensures that workers have the necessary training and experience to work safely and deliver high-quality results that meet industry standards. Building a strong team is important in construction, and effective recruitment can identify workers with complementary skills and personalities, improving communication and collaboration on the job site and across the entire supply chain.

Reducing turnover is another benefit of effective construction recruitment. Hiring workers with good skill sets who stay for a number of years fosters company culture and increases job satisfaction. Put the work into recruitment, and once you’ve made the hire, continue to actively manage your team.

Recruitment helps companies stay ahead of changing industry demands by hiring workers with the latest skills and knowledge.

9 top tips for construction recruiters

In the competitive construction industry, recruiters need to be strategic in their approach to attract and retain skilled workers. From developing a strong employer brand to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, there are several steps for construction recruitment specialists to follow to improve their recruitment process.

Read on for the nine top tips for construction recruiters to help them attract the best candidates and build a strong team for project success.

1. Post job openings in the right places

Wondering where to advertise for construction workers? Whether it’s high schools, colleges or job fairs, those are all great places for you to talk about and show what the real construction world is like as well as what working for your business would be like. You can also post construction job openings online on common job sites like Indeed, Glassdoor and LinkedIn to reach even more job seekers.

2. Position yourself

If you’re looking for construction recruitment strategies, start by making a list of unique offerings you have. If your company uses modern techniques, equipment, technology and tools, that’s something you need to promote. Proudly display this information on your business website and in job descriptions to interest candidates.

3. Use a streamlined process

A long, drawn-out interview process with too many meetings and delayed responses will lead to missed opportunities. Many times, candidates that your company is interested in have multiple opportunities presented to them during the time they’re looking, so make sure your hiring process is streamlined and effective for best results.

4. Show tangible results

Craftwork and trades work are great areas for people who would like the satisfaction that comes from seeing tangible results at the end of each day. Try highlighting this benefit when you’re talking to prospective employees to increase interest in the construction jobs you’re trying to fill.

5. Provide job training

Develop training programs for new and current employees. Not only will this allow you to get new employees at the level you need them at, but it will allow you to keep current employees sharp. This is also great for career progression since the ability and option to grow in a company is important to many.

6. Offer competitive compensation

The days of making low offers and hoping you can snag someone up for cheap are over. Always ask yourself if the offer you’re about to present is one that would truly attract the top talent in your area or if the difference of $5,000 to $10,000 in base salary is more important than the cost of a poor hire.

7. Pursue passive candidates

Even though these people are generally satisfied with their current position, that doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t consider a different opportunity that might be better. It wouldn’t hurt to put some time and effort into engaging with them and even interviewing them. These candidates might be harder to attract, but they might be convinced to seriously consider a company with the right offer and culture.

8. Honesty is the best policy

Always speak openly and honestly with your candidates during the interview process for best results. Work hard to identify what you might be able to provide them with that they aren’t receiving from their current employer … or in other words, figure out what it would take to get them to work for you instead. Discuss what motivates and challenges them including areas like advancement and compensation.

9. Focus on what you have

Retaining employees you currently have should always be a top priority. Make sure your employees are happy and satisfied … and if they’re dissatisfied with anything, get feedback and figure out how to make it better. Candidates will always consider the track record of a company during their job search.

Hiring top talent for your construction company can be a real challenge, taking a large amount of time and effort to search through a small candidate market. And although there are many things to consider when recruiting construction workers, if you focus on following these tips in addition to following your instincts about your prospective employees, you’ll be more likely to improve the recruitment experience and make successful hires.

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Want to know how Buildertrend can help you meet your recruitment needs?

The best builders use our system because they have the tools to work simpler – and these are the type of top-tier companies that recruits are more likely to want to work for.

Schedule a demo of Buildertrend today to learn why our software has been trusted by construction pros like you for more than 15 years.

Construction recruiting FAQs

Get answers to the most common construction recruiting questions.

The important expertise for success in construction includes technical knowledge, problem-solving ability, attention to detail, physical stamina and dexterity, communication skills and the ability to work well in a team environment.

Hiring a construction recruitment company can be beneficial for several reasons. Construction recruitment agencies have expertise in the industry and can quickly identify qualified candidates with the necessary skills and experience for your specific job openings. Also, construction recruitment consultants can save you time and resources by taking over the administrative tasks. Recruitment agencies help you maintain confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest. Finally, recruitment agencies can offer flexibility in hiring.

It’s important to choose the right recruitment services for your needs. Research potential agencies and their track record in the construction industry before making a decision – consider factors such as their reputation, experience and fees.

Construction recruiters use a variety of methods to find the right candidates, including posting job listings to online job boards, reaching out to industry associations and trade schools, attending job fairs and networking events and using social media and other digital platforms.

Testimonials can be very important for construction recruiting as they provide social proof and validation of a company’s capabilities and reputation. In the construction industry, reputation and past work are key factors in attracting clients and winning new projects, and the same applies to recruiting top talent. Testimonials from previous or current employees can offer insight into a company’s culture, work environment and management style, which is crucial for job seekers when deciding where to apply.

Positive testimonials can also help build trust and credibility with candidates, particularly if they come from respected industry professionals or clients. Overall, testimonials can be a valuable tool for construction recruiters in building their employer brand and attracting top talent.

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About The Author

Sean Robinson

Sean Robinson Sean Robinson is a senior content marketing specialist at Buildertrend

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