As construction companies continue to face a labor shortage alongside high demand for projects, hiring workers is crucial. However, companies often make mistakes when hiring.
For Construction Pros shares the following common hiring mistakes in the construction industry and how you can avoid them.
- Hiring during the wrong time of year. The best time to hire is during the spring and summer months, when construction activity is at its peak and more job opportunities are available. Track your low and peak times to ensure you have adequate staff to handle the busiest times.
- Using a vague job description. When writing job ads, construction companies sometimes do not include enough information or include information irrelevant to the open position. This leads to frustration as potential candidates may not understand what the company is seeking and what the job entails. Be sure to include necessary details in job ads, such as the specific title/position; a brief description of the role and its responsibilities; required qualifications; desired skills and attributes; job location; and salary range or rate.
- Not checking references or running background checks. Checking references and running a background check will help you ensure your candidate is qualified and does not raise any red flags. It also can be helpful to learn about a candidate’s relationship with a previous employer and whether he or she left on good terms.
- Waiting until the situation is desperate before hiring someone. When there is a sudden workload increase or a crucial team member leaves, companies sometimes rush to hire, fail to vet candidates properly and make poor decisions that cost the company time and money. Proactively plan for staffing needs so you are not in a position where you must make hasty decisions.
- Not understanding what the company needs from the new employee. This can lead to hiring someone unsuitable for the company, as well as decreased productivity and morale. Construction companies should clearly define what they will need from a new employee before beginning the hiring process.
