Building Your Dream Team

With today's skilled trades hiring market, it may seem impossible to find a semi-decent job candidate, let alone someone who is your dream hire. So what can we do to find qualified candidates who will want to work on our team and who will work well on our team? We're talking skilled, reliable, and passionate individuals - not just a warm body to add to our crew.

Attract the Right Talent:

• Craft compelling job descriptions. Highlight your company culture, exciting projects, and the unique opportunities you offer. Remember, you're selling your company just as much as you're searching for talent! Do you offer free snacks? Lunch every Friday? Performance bonuses? Even the little things you do for your employees can be huge selling points to potential job seekers.

• Target the right channels. Advertise on construction-specific job boards, attend industry events, and network with your peers. Have your employees hand out your company's business cards when they encounter someone who knows what they are doing. In a seasonal business? Consider establishing relationships with other business owners who are also hungry for good workers and would be willing to employ your employee in the off-season, but aren't interested in hiring them for a permanent position.

• Offer competitive compensation and benefits. Show your commitment to your team by providing competitive pay, benefits, and opportunities for growth. In construction, it does come down to the hourly pay rate a lot of the time. But there are other ways to compensate your employees that can definitely add up.

Assess Skills and Fit:

• Develop robust interview questions. Go beyond the basic job application and ask questions that assess specific skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. The job application form that Amanda uses only asks for an applicant's name, contact info, what job they are applying for, date available to start work, desired wage, and for them to certify that they are over the age of 18 and eligible to work in the US. She wants to get applicants in the door and show them how great her asphalt company is, rather than discourage them with long applications.

• Conduct skill assessments. Consider hands-on tests or project-based evaluations to get a real-world feel for the candidate's abilities. Does the position call for someone with a valid CDL? Let them know that they will be expected to drive a dump truck during their interview. Will they need to know how to read blueprints? Set them down with sample blueprints and ask them some questions.

Hire for Attitude and Train for Skills:

• Look for a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn. Trainable skills can be acquired, but a can-do spirit and dedication are priceless. Amanda always tells new hires that are new to the construction world "If you're willing to show up on time, listen to instructions and work hard, we have a spot for you on our team."

• Invest in onboarding and training. Provide new team members with comprehensive training to ensure they have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Every construction company should have an employee handbook AND a safety handbook. Neither have to be fancy, but you or someone on your team needs to review both with new employees.

• Foster a culture of learning and development. Encourage ongoing learning and professional development opportunities to keep your team engaged and growing. Let the newbies try to run a skid under the supervision of one of your experienced employees. Have the receptionist pick out a local training that you'll pay for her to attend. Show your employees you care about them and their professional development.

Remember, construction queens, finding the right people is crucial for building a successful construction company. Sometimes we just need a warm body to meet deadlines - but by following these tips, you'll be better able to attract top talent, build a dream team, and watch your business thrive. Now go out there and build something amazing! ‍

Amanda Hayhoe specializes in working with woman who want to build strong construction businesses via smart financials, authentic leadership and a balanced life. Learn more about Amanda’s story at amandahayhoe.com.