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Every industry across the job market experiences labor shortages from time to time. Unfortunately, jobs in the construction sector are no different.
In 2021, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported that a whopping 62% of contractors were experiencing difficulty finding skilled workers. The construction sector has had a labor shortage for a long time in many parts of the U.S., and the pandemic-related trends across the job market have only added to the problem.
Although finding the right employees may seem daunting in this climate, it’s possible to be successful if you look in the right places.
Sometimes, simply posting your job listing on a job board website isn’t enough. For example, when looking to hire skilled and qualified construction staff, you may need to use a combination of different tactics to find the best job candidates.
In this article, we’ll highlight 11 different construction staffing solutions that you can try to fill your open job positions fast.
CONSTRUCTION STAFFING AGENCIES
Hiring new employees can quickly turn into a full-time job. If you use a construction staffing agency, you can offload the stress of finding new and qualified employees. Most staffing agencies have vast networks and connections all over the country that can help you find the perfect match for your open job position.
Construction staffing agencies have a pool of eager candidates looking for the right company. In addition, specialty staffing agents use their expansive network to connect you with the right employee without the hassle.
Need help finding good candidates for a construction job? LG Resources can help you find the right person for your team in a timely manner. With our focus on candidate quality, you can feel confident that we’ll find the high-caliber candidate you need.
YOUR CONSTRUCTION STAFFING NETWORK
Sometimes, the best new employee is right under your nose.
If you own a company, chances are you have many people in your professional network who have the resources to connect you to the right employee.
Practice describing your open job descriptions briefly and with enthusiasm. Then, start putting out the word in your day-to-day conversations that you’re looking to hire new staff. Slipping this information into casual yet professional conversations may lead to qualified candidates.
Make it a solid point to tell your colleagues, other employees, and customers that you’re looking to hire. You may also want to attend industry trade shows and other events. Be sure to always have business cards on hand.
REFERRALS FROM CURRENT EMPLOYEES
Referrals from current employees can prove successful in your construction staffing journey. One way to incentivize current employees to refer friends and colleagues to join your team is to set up an employee referral program.
An employee referral program will essentially turn your current employees into recruiters by rewarding them with cash or prizes if they make a referral that leads to a hire. Often, employees hired via current staff need less training and are more likely to be a good fit for the position.
REFERRALS FROM FORMER EMPLOYEES
Former employees can be vital resources when looking for skilled tradesmen or tradeswomen. Referrals can help combat your construction staffing shortage by bringing in new talent from a trusted source. This is because former employees know exactly what it’s like to work with you and may be able to relay that information to people they may know.
Your former employees are likely very well connected within your construction community and may know the perfect person for the job.
Pick up the phone or write an email to some of your favorite past employees detailing your need for new trade workers. You never know who in their networks may be a great fit.
JOB FAIRS
Job fairs are a great way to meet qualified tradesmen and tradeswomen to fill your open job positions. Sometimes, you can fulfill your construction staffing needs by attending just a few job fairs at your local trade schools or colleges.
To ensure your success, check that the job fairs you attend are industry specific so that you’ll meet suitable candidates. Often, you can find out about job fairs by checking college and training program websites in your area.
Go to job fairs well-equipped and prepared. Make a list of questions to ask potential hires. Fill your booth with handouts, brochures, job descriptions, and more. Anything you can do to make your company stand out will help you find the employee you’re looking for quickly.
SPECIALIZED CONSTRUCTION STAFFING JOB BOARDS
Specialized job boards can give you access to an ocean of potential employees. When using job boards, try posting your job listing on niche websites specific to construction workers.
Although niche job boards tend to get less traffic than other general staffing platforms, they also may attract more qualified and targeted candidates. Specialized job boards can help you find the right employee without receiving thousands of applications from people that aren’t qualified for the job.
Specialized job board websites may help you connect with someone who is specifically looking for a job like yours.
GENERAL JOB BOARDS
While using specialized job boards is one way to fix your construction staffing issues, general job boards can also be an effective way to find new talent.
General job boards get much more traffic than niche ones, often resulting in more applications. However, these applications will need to be reviewed and vetted meticulously, as many of them will likely be unqualified for the position.
More generalized job board websites can be helpful if you’re looking to hire someone for an entry-level job position. Posting on these boards will usually bring in an abundance of applications, but perhaps not the quality candidates you may be looking for.
CRAIGSLIST
Craigslist is an excellent example of a general job board that gets tons of traffic daily. This website alone receives more than 250 million visits per month. This statistic translates to an abundance of web users viewing your job listing.
As mentioned before, this process can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, you will likely receive dozens or even hundreds of applications, which may be helpful if you’re looking to hire for an entry-level or less skilled position. On the other hand, using Craigslist can prove to be overwhelming if you’re looking to hire someone with a specific set of skills.
When using a platform like Craigslist for constructing staffing, it’s best to go in knowing you’ll need to sort through tons of applications. If you have the time and the patience, Craigslist may help you land a new employee.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media can be a very effective way to find the right employees to fill your open job positions. If you don’t currently have an Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn account, this is a great time to make one. These social media platforms can make all the difference when you have a construction staffing shortage.
Social media can help you network and find people who are looking to be hired in construction. Post photos and videos with engaging captions that may stick out to someone scrolling their feed.
Also, use your social media platforms to follow or connect with current or past employees. That way, they can share your posts and boost traffic to your page.
In addition, advertising on social media can attract new employees. All three platforms mentioned have advertising options, which can be costly but effective.
PROMOTING YOUR WEBSITE FOR CONSTRUCTION STAFFING POSITIONS
Promoting your website can help bring about construction staffing opportunities. Your company’s website one of the best ways for potential employees to get all the information they need about your company, the positions you are hiring for, and the necessary contact information required to speak with a hiring manager.
Try advertising your website on social media or Google so that more people see it. The easier it is for people to find your website, the more traffic you’ll receive to your page.
POSTERS AT LOCAL BUSINESSES
While the Internet is often the best way to bring attention to your company, you shouldn’t overlook the power of traditional advertising. “Old school” marketing techniques, such as posting flyers around your community, can help with construction staffing. You can also consider side-of-the-road advertising, newspaper or magazine advertising, and more.
Never underestimate how word-of-mouth marketing in your community can positively impact your company, employee staffing, and retention. Often, the best employees are already in your network or community, so using catchy advertising around your neighborhood can sometimes be enough to help you make a great hire.
WHY CHOOSE LG RESOUCES AS YOUR CONSTRUCTION STAFFING AGENCY?
At LG Resouces, we match employers in the construction industry with qualified workers that match their needs. We can help you find a new employee who is skilled enough for your open job position.
Our construction company clients love our customized staffing solutions, which include flexible and project-based staff opportunities, temp-to-hire staff, direct-hire employees, and comprehensive workforce solutions.
Contact LG Resources today to see how we can help you find the best construction staff on the job market.
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