Any successful construction business owner knows that building a strong and resilient company isn’t possible without first assembling a talented team to serve as the solid foundation.
Employees are the key to sustaining and growing a business, and hiring the right person to fill a role is always a major responsibility. This is a true sentiment for any position at any level, but it’s especially pertinent when seeking an executive or manager who is going to be responsible for overseeing some of the most crucial and delicate details of a project.
Hiring at the executive level is highly competitive in many industries, and given the ongoing nature of the dry-spell of labor in the construction world, it’s no surprise that the industry is currently facing the particularly difficult challenge of operating within a tight candidate market.
Between marketing a job offer, reviewing resumes/qualifications, scheduling interviews, calling references, conducting background checks, and negotiating hiring details, finding the right executive is enormously time consuming. When you pair that with the current talent shortage in the construction industry, the hiring process requires intense finesse and dedication in order to be successful.
Because the demand for construction projects continues to stay strong as the workforce shrinks, many construction employers don’t have the time or internal resources to spend on seeking out qualified candidates. This dilemma is why many companies turn to reputable search firms to take this task on for them.
When looking into a search firm for your own hiring needs, it’s always beneficial to go with one that specializes in the construction industry. Recruiters who primarily work in the field will already possess extensive market insight and knowledge of industry trends, and they will most likely already have a relevant candidate pool to draw from. These factors will expedite the process of marketing and filling your open position.
If you are thinking of working with a construction search firm but don’t know what the process will involve, the following information should give you a general idea of what to expect:
When you sign on to work with a search firm, the first step of the recruitment process will involve discussing the details of the position you’re hiring for as well as the unique traits of your company.
Recruiters will work closely with you to gain a comprehensive understanding of what the position entails, such as what the job’s day-to-day expectations will look like as well as what the salary and benefits package will include. Since they’ll have a well-rounded perspective of what the current market trends are, they may also provide insight into what competitors are doing to help ensure your job requirements and pay scale are up to industry standards.
You will also need to outline what your ideal candidate looks like, including what professional qualifications they need to have as well as what personal characteristics will best mesh with your company culture.
After you discuss the position, the search firm will develop a tailored recruitment strategy and provide an estimated time frame for filling the job.
The recruiters will then connect with any qualified candidates in their existing network, advertise the position on job boards, and look for potential leads to reach out to on career-based social media platforms.
After reviewing resumes and applications, recruiters will narrow down the list of candidates by cross referencing the applicants’ qualifications with the list of requirements and preferences discussed in the initial meeting.
During this stage, recruiters will often reach out to the best prospects to further gauge qualifications and assess if they are genuinely interested in the position. Generally, you will be consulted on the final list of applicants to ensure they meet your criteria.
Once a handful of applicants are chosen, recruiters will work to schedule interviews, whether they are in-person or over a digital platform like Skype, between you (or a designated representative of your company) and the top contenders. Oftentimes, recruiters will be present for the interviews as well.
After the interviews have been conducted, recruiters will talk with you in-depth about the pros and cons of each candidate. They’ll provide guidance and insight, but ultimately you will have the final say about who is selected.
If needed, the search firm can arrange multiple interview rounds or pre-screen phone interviews. However, it’s always best to streamline the hiring process as much as possible. It’s a competitive niche, and your competitors could easily make an offer to a candidate you’re interested in hiring before you get a chance.
After you have selected a candidate, the search firm will conduct a thorough background check and call references to further verify information and qualifications.
Once the background and references have checked out, the search firm will help your company on-board the new hire. They will assist with relocation details (if applicable), salary negotiation, and contract terms.
After your new hire has officially joined your team, the search firm will check in after a period of time to assess if the placement has been successful.
Hopefully this information gives you a basic understanding of what the process will look like if you decide to work with a search firm.
At the end of the day, your employees will always be your greatest assets. If you don’t have the resources or experience to fully dedicate to finding the right candidates, utilizing a search firm that specializes in construction can help ensure you find the invaluable job seekers you need to powerfully enhance your company’s success.
S.R. Clarke Consulting Services, INC has been helping construction firms find the top talent they need to develop and grow their businesses for over four decades.
With a track record of over 30,000 successful placements nationwide, our deep-rooted industry knowledge paired with our extensive hiring experience allows us to efficiently fill positions at nearly every executive and managerial level.
If you’re struggling to find the executives you need in order to keep up with the pace of project demand, our search firm offers an easy solution.
Get in touch today for more information on how we can help you find the talent your business needs to bloom and prosper.
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