Recruiting Executives in the construction industry is a challenging task. It is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Isn’t it frustrating when no one responds to your ads? Or when you receive dozens of CVs from people who do not meet even half the formal requirements?
What makes qualified, experienced Managers disregard job offers? Why do managers and construction engineers remain the most elusive professional group for recruiters and head-hunters? Here are the 5 most common reasons.
Reason 1: they don’t want change and like their current job
Nobody likes constant change in their professional life. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that a Construction Manager employed by a stable, prestigious and developing company does not browse job offers. Loyalty to an employer in the construction industry is no accident, by the way! It is usually the result of a team effort between business owners and their HR departments, which ensures:
- tasks are matched to the employee’s competence,
- opportunities for continuous professional development of #Managerial Staff,
- selection of competent, close-knit teams,
- a steady increase in staff remuneration commensurate with the quality of objectives accomplished.
These are not, of course, the only factors that keep Construction Managers, Engineers and other Managers within the employ of one company for years. Another significant reason for not wanting to change jobs is the prospect of being part of stable contracts with trusted and loyal associates.
Reason 2: no time to search for new contracts
Lack of time means that Managers don’t answer recruiters’ calls and don’t want to analyse new, interesting job #offers. Anyone familiar with the construction industry knows what a typical working day looks like for the Management Staff. After a morning of checking emails and determining the scope of work, Managers fall into a whirlwind of field duties. These are often out-of-office jobs without the opportunity to reach for a smartphone and check what is new in the industry.
It is a paradox that less experienced and less competent colleagues often overshadow the best Construction Managers on the job market! This is because they are overwhelmed by the enormity of their job responsibilities. They are frustrated by protracted, increasingly unprofitable contracts. However, after a challenging and stressful day, they do not have the slightest desire to create a CV or review advertisements for jobs available online.
Reason 3: the job finds them autonomously
One central unwritten truth, widely known in the construction sector, is that high-calibre professionals never seek jobs. On the contrary, it is the employers who will do anything to have them in their structures. This conviction did not materialise from thin air! Talented polytechnic students are already offered lucrative contracts and commissions during their studies. Managers and Engineers, with a track record of numerous timely executed construction projects, are also constantly awarded construction contracts from friendly investors.
Executives with a wealth of experience transition seamlessly from one construction site to the next. Many prominent professionals in the construction industry even believe that writing CVs or applying to online ads is a misunderstanding! Such opinions are often expressed by senior Managers operating in local markets or managers managing global investments for years.
Reason 4: fear of change
Every employee thinks at least once in their life about changing jobs or career paths. This also applies to Site Managers and Engineering Personnel. When the workload becomes too much, and pay remains stagnant, it is a clear signal that it is time for a change. However, not every site manager is courageous enough to sever a long-standing relationship, renegotiate the terms of a contract and analyse new job advertisements.
The fear of change leads people to prefer to be stuck in the structures of subordinate companies rather than taking risks and pursuing a career. Interestingly, this anxiety is felt even by the most established professionals, who continue to receive new, valuable job offers! And it is hardly surprising: the construction industry is, after all, one of the most unstable industries. This is because the realities of the market are constantly changing. The terms of cooperation, rates and regulations remain uncertain – this, in turn, negatively affects the possibility of new investments and growth of companies.
Reason 5: unattractive job offers
Construction management is made up of educated people with extensive knowledge and experience. They are attentive and critical interlocutors, gifted with unparalleled analytical thinking skills. They perfectly read both technical documentation and the content of advertisements placed on job portals and websites of recruitment agencies. How do you quickly discourage potential candidates? It suffices to present them with a generic, poorly prepared job advert!
The lack of response from Managers to the offer of employment is due to several reasons. More often than not, the problem lies in the shoddiness of the offers – as they lack vital data such as:
- information on: responsibilities and location of the investment,
- contact details of the person responsible for recruitment,
- the expected level of remuneration (or financial terms of the B2B contract).
A substantive construction industry recruitment advertisement should be concise yet specific! The recipient should, in a matter of seconds, find the information they are most interested in and wish to continue the conversation with the employer.
The relationship is, therefore, simple: the less substantive data appear in your ad, the less likely it is to be responded to.
Do you need help with recruiting Construction industry executives? Need help to reach valuable candidates? Keep up to date with us and, preferably, contact us and have us handle your recruitment.
In subsequent posts, we will share our observations and knowledge of effective recruitment with you.