In today's construction industry, the shortage of skilled workers intensifies competition among companies. To address this challenge, it's essential to adopt strategic hiring practices. Moving away from traditional methods and embracing innovative approaches will help you stay competitive and attract top talent.
 

Mastering these strategies will not only streamline your hiring process but also pave the way for long-term growth and success in the industry.

Why First Impressions Matter: Viewing Your Company Like a Candidate

Ask yourself, "Would you work for you?" Starting with this question allows you to dig deeper into how your hiring process is perceived from a candidate's perspective. Put aside what you think about your business and just search its name. What comes up?

Pay attention to search results location, website, social media, and online reviews. This will provide you with an understanding of how others view your company when you approach them to work for you. They’ll consider everything from the photos of your office to reviews left by clients and former employees.

Take some time here:
 

• Introduce features such as a career video or a 60 to 90-second company video to help your business stand out.
• Upload high-quality photos that show what your company is like and consider posting testimonials.
• Check third-party platforms, such as Glassdoor, Indeed, and LinkedIn, to see what others, including former employees and clients, have to say about your company. Encourage employees to share comments and reviews. Also, take reputation management seriously and work on improving your web image.
• Be active on social media, share photos and the latest events, and respond to comments. The key lies in using social media to highlight what your business offers.

Make Your Job Listings Stand Out and Capture Attention

Remember, this isn't just a job listing; it's an ad. Consider selling your company and the position you're looking to fill. Highlight the unique aspects of the job that make it appealing and showcase the positive aspects of working with your team.

Keep it concise. Shorter job posts attract 8.4% more views than longer ones. Since the average person spends about 14 seconds scanning a job listing, aim to keep yours under 300 words to quickly grab their attention.

Highlighting the most important information makes it easy for applicants to screen your post. Include salary details, as 61% of applicants look for this information. Additionally, focus on the job title and required qualifications, using inclusive language that does not alienate any group.

Don’t forget to mention benefits like health coverage and parental leave, as 44% of applicants consider these crucial for long-term employment. Ensure the tone matches your company culture, presenting you as genuine and authentic.

Additionally, continuously optimizing your job postings through A/B testing attracts the best talent. For another client, a slight adjustment in the job title from 'Project Coordinator' to 'Exciting Project Coordinator Role in Innovative Construction Firm' resulted in nearly double the number of qualified applicants.

Try changing from a straightforward listing to a more engaging and dynamic narrative, such as emphasizing growth opportunities and team culture.

Once you’ve perfected the description, it’s time to promote it. Consider posting the ad on Monday since this is when viewing and application rates are the highest. Posting it on niche job boards, industry-specific forums, and university career centers can also increase its visibility, drawing in a more targeted pool of candidates.

Implementing Skill Assessments for Better Hiring Decisions

Given the frequency of resumes with misleading information, it might be beneficial for you to prioritize a skill assessment. This can ensure that candidates possess the necessary abilities and qualifications for the job, ultimately leading to more reliable hiring decisions and a smoother onboarding process.

For instance, when hiring a roofer, consider setting up a hands-on assessment where candidates install materials within a four to eight-hour timeframe with specific goals and objectives. This approach allows you to evaluate their performance, including the time taken, quality of work, and other critical factors.

By doing so, you can better identify their strengths and weaknesses, leading to a more accurate candidate-to-job match. Additionally, this method provides candidates with a clearer understanding of the job expectations and requirements.

Similarly, if you're hiring an electrician, you could set up a practical test where candidates troubleshoot common electrical problems in a controlled environment. This would help you assess their problem-solving skills, technical knowledge, and ability to work under pressure.

In today's expanding construction industry, the demand for skilled workers is on the rise. By arming yourself with these effective strategies to streamline your hiring process, you can attract top-notch talent and embark on a successful recruitment journey.

Author Bio

Matt DiBara, Owner of DiBara Masonry, is the Founder of The Contractor Consultants. Matt is the fourth generation of Italian immigrant-built masonry that is ranked five stars on Google, Yelp, and HomeAdvisor. He is known as the “undercover contractor” who works with celebrity clients and everyday homeowners to provide advice and insight about how to manage construction projects.

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