A construction recruiter can offer plenty of guidance on your job hunt. Yet, it’s just as important to know if and when you are receiving bad advice along the way. Here are some common mistakes to avoid during your construction job search:
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Blasting your construction resume all over.
If you send out too many resumes, you’ll find that most of them will be funneled into a black hole never to be seen again. If you want your resume to be viewed by an actual hiring manager, then you should concentrate more on networking within a single company that you’re interested in working for. Candidates who are able to get a current employee to endorse them are more likely to receive interviews.
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Relying only on HR.
Depending solely on HR in your job search can be a mistake. Many construction firms rely on an applicant tracking system that can delay the hiring process. Consider connecting directly with the hiring manager before you submit your resume. And follow up to check the hiring timeline once you have officially applied.
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Bringing up money way too early.
Asking about salary too early in the process is a big turn off to employers. It’s important to prove your value first before talking about compensation. Then, be honest about your current income. Some candidates think that they can get better offers by saying that they earn more than they actually do. This could result in pricing yourself in a range so they can’t hire you.
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Thinking that if you can get a job offer, you can use it to get a raise at your current company.
It’s actually better to search for new opportunities when you are satisfied with your current salary. If everything is going well with your current job, then you won’t feel as pressured during interviews. Rather than placing a proverbial gun to your boss’s head with the hopes of a counteroffer, go after the kind of career advancement you truly want and find the right firm to align yourself with. The truth is, 99% of employees who stay because of a counteroffer are either fired or leave the company within a year.
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Being overly confident.
Candidates shouldn’t assume that they have the job before receiving an offer. Stay the course and keep selling yourself until you sign a contract. Even though confidence can help you ask for a higher compensation, title or benefits, there’s definitely a fine line between trusting in your own abilities and appearing egotistical. Hiring managers want to see a candidate’s enthusiasm about the new opportunity, not desperation.
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Thinking you’re best off working with several recruiters.
You should only share your resume with a single, trusted recruiter. It’s difficult for hiring managers to determine who is representing you when they receive resumes from multiple sources. Remember that not every construction recruiter is deserving of your resume, and if they’re not asking you questions about your career goals, then they’re only trying to sell you on a particular position before their competition.
How can we help you?
Searching for an opportunity in the construction industry? Contact The Birmingham Group today to discuss your career path or browse our open positions.
Are you a hiring authority needed construction talent? Submit a search request today.
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