Construction Jobs

Guide to Hiring for Construction Jobs

Ways to build a better talent pool for your jobs in construction
By Judy Rakowsky

	Dos & Don'ts of Construction Employment Do check a candidate's references from previous construction jobs before you reject other job finalists. Jobs in construction require skilled workers; do hire people with the proper certificates or licenses. Don't fill a construction job opening with someone who isn't available for the duration of the project.

Construction employment ebbs and flows by nature, which means that recruiting for jobs in construction can be challenging. To facilitate the process, tap into the growing number of online resources for construction employment. Whether you’re seeking to fill construction jobs with ordinary helpers, skilled tradesmen or architectural and engineering professionals, you can find a wealth of sources to help. Knowing where to advertise a construction job opening and how to screen applicants will ensure that you build the best team possible for your construction projects. When hiring workers for jobs in construction, be sure to:

1. Research regional standards for construction salaries.
2. Verify the candidate’s credentials and past construction employment.
3. Resist cutting corners despite time constraints commonly associated with construction jobs.

Action Steps for Building a Talent Pool for Construction Jobs

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Post your construction jobs online Instead of posting your construction jobs on general job boards, target online career centers that specialize in jobs in construction.

I recommend:  Check out some of the large construction industry-specific job boards, such as ConstructionJobs.com or ConstructionWork.com, which works like a construction employment agency with about 3,000 jobs listed, ranging from entry level to senior positions. If you need to fill construction jobs that require professionals, such as architects or engineers, visit the CADTalent.com job board.

Hire a construction employment agency A construction employment agency can help you fill your construction jobs and can reduce the amount of time you need to spend on recruiting.

I recommend:  Contract with a construction employment agency, such as Lucas Group or Kimmel & Associates to fill the top jobs such as the vice president of construction, chief estimator, project manager, or director of acquisitions. Find additional construction recruiters listed at Business.com or at the ConstructionRecruitersNetwork.com.

Post your construction jobs in trade schools A dizzying array of training facilities exists for the building trades. Target these schools and their career centers with your construction employment postings

I recommend:  Find trade schools at Khake.com or at ConstructMyFuture.com. Or visit Business.com for a wealth of construction education resources.

Nail down construction salaries Construction salaries vary greatly depending on the region, the economy and the type of job. On the lower end of the construction salary range, helpers may earn about $10 an hour; at the other end of the spectrum, skilled tradesmen can pocket more than $30 an hour.

I recommend:  Take advantage of the construction salary tools at Business.com to help you zero in on a fair wage. Find hourly and annual wage estimates for a variety of jobs in construction, including carpenters, construction laborers, floor layers, insulation workers and roofers at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do background checks on applicants for jobs in construction Jobs in construction require training and experience. Be sure to check credentials and verify past employment when hiring for construction jobs.

I recommend:  : Hire-Safe.com offers background checks designed for the construction and building trades. To investigate construction executives and professionals like architects or engineers, try ConstructionExecutive.com.

Tips & Tactics for Screening Construction Employment Applicants

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Don’t forget about workers who may speak English as a second language. Consider placing construction employment ads in foreign-language newspapers those individuals might read.
• Try to learn enough about the construction jobs you are hiring for to detect phonies.
• Jobs in construction sometimes require workers to drive while on the job. Double check online results with the DMV for any motor vehicle problems.