The construction industry has been dealing with talent shortages for a while. Now that many projects are back on schedule, companies are wondering how they will be able to meet those fast-approaching deadlines with a staff that is either light or less-than-dependable. Since this is an industry-wide problem, construction companies are fighting for the same small pool of qualified candidates. If you want to find good talent (and actually get them to sign on to your company), you need to get a little creative about where you are looking.
College campuses might not be the first avenue that pops into your mind, but it is definitively one that is worth your consideration. In this article, we will go into some considerations to keep in mind before you get started.
Target the right schools
This first one probably goes without saying. When hiring for construction positions, it is best to target trade schools, community colleges, or schools that offer construction management programs. If relevant classes are available on campus, it would be a good idea to get a sense of the materials and information covered. This will give you a good idea of the qualifications of potential applicants and what specific roles you should be looking to fill when recruiting through this venue.
Think about timing and location
Reach out to the campus career center to establish a relationship between the school and your company. Each program will have a specific set of guidelines and timelines for things like recruitment fairs and internships. This is your best bet for filling full-time office or management positions.
Otherwise, if you hope to hire more part-time and less-skilled workers, consider placing recruitment flyers around campus. Be strategic about placement and aim for high traffic areas where people will pay more attention to their surroundings, like around the cafeteria or the gym. Again, you also want to consider timing here. You can look at the academic calendar online and advertise your open positions before class breaks and graduation.
Put your best foot forward
Regardless of whether you decide to recruit via scheduled college fairs or through flyers that you strategically place around campus, you need to make sure that you are presenting your construction company in the best light possible. This means having official-looking materials; a strong brand image with clean and engaging messaging can go a long way. Beyond that? Make sure that you end your message with a clear call-to-action, making it easy for students to take the next step toward submitting an application or requesting more information.
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