Construction companies face unique challenges when it comes to recruiting talent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median age for construction workers is about 42 years old.
As the pool of candidates becomes much smaller to choose from, a creating and effective recruiting strategy becomes all the more important. While job boards have been a popular option for companies across a variety of industries, they haven’t been as effective for construction companies lately.
Great Construction Employees May Not Be Looking
The construction industry is facing a shortage of skilled labor, which makes it difficult to find the right candidates through job boards. Many job seekers in this industry prefer word-of-mouth referrals or local networking to find work.
Unlike many other industries, construction requires specific skills and experience, such as knowledge of building codes, safety regulations, and specific tools and equipment. Job boards often don’t provide the necessary filters and categories to accurately match job seekers with the required skills and experience.
The Better the Experience, the More the Demand
Construction companies often require experienced workers who can hit the ground running. These candidates are in high demand, making it difficult for companies to compete with other employers on job boards.
Experienced workers know that building relationships and trust is important in the construction industry. Job boards may not provide the personal connections that companies need to find the right candidates and build strong teams. Additionally, experienced workers may already have established relationships with construction companies and may not be actively looking for new opportunities on job boards.
Bigger Fish in a Smaller Pond
Job boards are often oversaturated with job postings, which can make it difficult for construction companies to stand out and attract the right candidates. This can lead to a limited pool of applicants, which makes it harder to find the right fit.
Many job boards have minimal screening processes as well, which can lead to unqualified or unprofessional candidates applying for construction jobs. This wastes time and resources for companies trying to find the right fit.
Staying Close to Home
Construction jobs are often location specific. Job boards typically don’t allow for specific location-based targeting, which makes it difficult for companies to find the right candidates in the areas where they need them. This can result in a large pool of unqualified candidates from outside the area, further complicating the hiring process.
Conclusion
Job boards can be a useful tool for finding candidates in many industries, but they are not always effective for the construction industry. The unique challenges of construction, such as a shortage of skilled labor, location-specific requirements, and high turnover rates, require specialized solutions beyond what job boards can offer. While job boards can provide a starting point for construction companies to find potential candidates, they should not be relied upon as the sole means of recruitment.
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