In the old days, people who wanted to get construction projects done just got hold of the town's eminent carpenter or mason. These days, it's a lot different: Construction companies find project managers, trades workers and executives through job boards or headhunters, and recruiting services for the construction industry play a major role. It can be difficult to find the people you need on your own.

When a business wants to start talent scouting for a big job, they can use the web to see how construction recruiters are generally found, and how construction recruiting projects get done, with simple online resources on construction recruiting firm options for all kinds of jobs, from commercial work to the production of residential developments, where businesses might use the services of construction headhunter shops for:

1. Finding a project manager or point person to "man the trailer" and keep all of the strands of the job in shape with a qualified hire from construction recruiters.

2. Looking for the best trades people to do the actual construction, in wood, brick or steel.

3. Getting skilled top managers and financial people or engineers for the skilled work that goes into crafting projects.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for info on construction recruiting from online magazine-type sites

Some of the websites that offer information about finding the players for construction are styled more like online 'zines' or web versions of a print magazine. Scour these resources for the news you need about how to get sources of construction jobs in your corner.

I recommend: Find recruiting resources for construction from JLCOnline, a periodical-type resource with forums, articles and more about how to get staff and all other aspects of running a construction project or business. Find out more about construction careers and recruiting at OnRec.com (Online Recruitment).

Use other public sites to glean more info about construction recruiting

There are also a host of other websites that offer their own bits of information that businesses can use to find out how to hire the best people in the quickest amount of time.

I recommend: Take a look at the extensive "news center" at Reaction Search International for finding out about how construction job facilitators work today. Get more construction recruiting info from sites like PRLog, a center for free press releases online. Press releases are one way to find out about breaking news in the industry, often straight from the source.

Search for recruiting services for the construction industry news and trends resources by industry

Every part of the construction business is different, and often, for the best results, a business leader should try seeking out construction recruiting news according to the type of work involved. Look for specific articles and sites on what will be built on your site or sites, and get targeted information you can use to boost your project into reality.

I recommend: Find out about construction trends in the electrical industry from Electrical Construction and Maintenance. Masonry Magazine offers news in recruiting and a whole lot more for this ancient aspect of construction.

Recruiting services for the construction industry help you find the right individual for your real estate or construction company.

Whether you’re seeking a construction industry executive or an experienced tradesperson, construction recruiters can help.

In this guide, you will:

1. Learn about the benefits of using construction recruiting services for your company’s employment needs;
2. Explore the various online job boards, including what opportunities they provide for construction employment; and
3. Find out about ways to advance your own construction career.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Post construction jobs online

Before you look into a construction recruiting firm, you may want to test the waters by posting an ad for construction jobs yourself.

I recommend: Look at websites specific to construction jobs, like SkilledWorkers.com, where you’ll find postings for workers in all areas, including bricklayers, drywallers, carpenters and more.

Determine what kind of employee you are seeking

Some construction jobs require people who are focused on their construction careers, while other tasks can be handled by college students on summer break and the like. Determine what your construction recruiting needs are first, then pursue the appropriate construction recruiters to help you find what you need.

I recommend: For constructions executives, AEC Executive Search is a good place to start. Millwork Network connects real estate and construction companies with millwork professionals. S.R. Clarke can help you find both construction executives and tradespeople.

Look out for number one

Recruiting services for the construction industry don't have to be limited to finding workers for your company. Seek out a construction headhunter to ensure your construction career is reaching its fullest potential.

I recommend: MorganSullivan, Adams Partners and Gaines International are recruitment firms that specialize in the real estate and construction industries.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take the time to research several construction recruiting firms before settling on one. Call their previous clients and make sure you have a comfortable rapport with the people you'll be dealing directly with.
• •  Fees vary for construction recruiters based on what you require of them. Most will work on a contingency, retained or contract basis.

Construction recruiting services can help you identify the most qualified candidates, create a strategy for recruiting employees, and handle everything from background checks to interviewing and salary negotiation. You can enlist a construction headhunter either to help you fill a single position, or to help you more effectively search for and recruit new employees.

Any size company can benefit from hiring construction industry recruiters, because these consultants save you time, and they offer additional expertise in locating the most talented applicants. Construction recruiters can also help you to create a strategic, ongoing recruitment plan. When working with recruiting services for the construction industry:

1. Find a firm that specializes in recruiting for executive construction careers.
2. Select a recruiting service that focuses on skilled labor.
3. Search for firms that handle pre-screening and interviewing.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose a firm that specializes in recruiting for construction jobs at the executive level

If you need to hire executive-level positions, make sure you're dealing with a firm that not only has expertise in your industry, but focuses primarily on recruiting upper management. They'll better understand what kind of salary and incentives you might be willing to offer, and can help you create a succession plan to ensure the ongoing effective management of your business.

I recommend: S.R. Clarke specializes in executive and management positions in residential and commercial construction. The company fills a wide range of construction jobs, including chief executive officers, presidents, chief financial officers, chief operations officers, vice presidents and project managers. Hernberger Management Company focuses exclusively on recruiting senior executives and board members for construction companies. Hernberger also manages compensation and retention programs, to help companies keep top talent once they've attracted them. The company also offers succession planning, to ensure the long-term successful operation of a client's company.

Find a firm that specializes in skilled labor and similar construction employment

Many recruiting firms specialize only in either executive positions or skilled labor. If you need to hire the people who will actually construct your projects, you'll need to find a company that recruits craftsmen, tradesmen or similar workers.

I recommend: Tradesmen International specializes in recruiting skilled labor and craftsmen, and manages all human resource needs, including payroll services, background verification, site-coordination and safety training. The company also has a safety program. Grus International handles the recruitment of licensed and certified tradesmen, for both industrial and commercial projects. Grus also handles payroll, and offers nationwide employee searches.

Find a construction recruiting firm that handles screening and interviewing

Consider hiring a firm that handles pre-screening, including background and reference checks, and the initial interviews. They can narrow down the list to only those applicants who are the most qualified, so you can spend less time interviewing.

I recommend: GC Recruitworks focuses on executive recruiting for the construction industry, and meets around 90 percent of the applicants before an interview with the employer is scheduled. The firm only handles construction jobs, including general contractors, specialty contractors, highway and heavy contractors, construction managers, program managers, design build firms and engineering contractors. The Lucas Group handles all steps of the recruitment and hiring process, including needs analysis, applicant search, reference checks, negotiation and follow-up.

While the fate of the construction industry is subject to often hard-to-predict market forces, the challenges of those responsible for construction industry recruiting are not. The goal of the construction industry recruiter remains the same regardless of how well the industry is performing, and that goal is to recruit top talent. In order to accomplish this, it is important to understand the terminology or lingo used across this industry. The following recruiting services for the construction industry key terms can help.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Construction Recruiters Network

The Construction Recruiters Network is a nationwide network/association of independent recruiters specializing in the construction industry and its related industries

I recommend: Select the association info tab on the Construction Recruiters Network website to read the criteria to be eligible for membership.

Associated Construction Publications

Associated Construction Publications publishes more than 15 construction industry magazines. National magazines include well-known publications such as Construction Digest and Construction Bulletin. Regional publications include New England Construction and Texas Contractor. Together, these magazines represent an excellent recruiting opportunity, since all accept paid advertising.

I recommend: Owned by Reed Business Information, Associated Construction Publications features many advertising opportunities for recruiting firms.

BCM Career Fair

The Building Construction Management Career Fair, or BCM Career Fair, is held twice yearly at Purdue University. The goal of the fair is for students, recruiters and employers from across the country to meet and network.

I recommend: Purdue University's website details the benefits for employer recruiters to attend the BCM Career Fair, as well as instructions for posting employment opportunities.

iHire Construction

iHire Construction is a resource for those searching for a job in construction as well as for those looking to recruit construction talent. In business since 1999, the site has the resumes of more than 250,000 applicants on file.

I recommend: iHire registration is free and the site offers discounts on multiple job postings and top billing on major search engines.

Associated Builders and Contractors

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national association with chapters representing 25,000 construction and construction-related firms. All construction industry specialties are represented by its membership.

I recommend: Find a local chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors to identify potential job candidates from its membership rosters.

Construction Management Association of America

The membership of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) stands at more than 5,000. This association is the only one of its kind in North America, and its membership is comprised of construction and project managers, corporations and construction company owners.

I recommend: CMAA's Career Headquarters is a great place to post positions targeted at this specific membership.