Recruiting in construction always has its share of challenges, but now top talent is scarcer than ever. In the past year, we have seen “The Great Resignation.” Millions of employees are handing in their notice and leaving open positions unfilled. Without being able to fill your open positions with qualified candidates, you risk not meeting deadlines and throwing projects off course.

All competitors will be vying for the same applicants in times like these. By keeping the following advice in mind, you can make sure that you are filling your open positions with top talent even when candidates are scarce.

Always be on the lookout

Instead of waiting until a position opens up that needs to be filled right away, you should always have your eye open for top talent. Keeping open lines of communication is critical. That way, even if they are not looking to change companies now, they will already have you in mind when they do six months down the line. You should also regularly ask your star team members for referrals. These are individuals who are not only on the top of their game in terms of skills but who also significantly contribute to the company culture and workplace morale.

Focus on the interview experience

In periods of candidate scarcity, top talent will have their pick of opportunities. In many cases, they will have similar offerings in terms of responsibilities, and it will come down to the feel of the organization. You want to make sure that the applicant gets a sense of your company’s personality and a chance to see if it would be a good fit on the team. You can learn more about the company’s reputation and how you could improve the workplace experience with exit interviews.

Invest in your current employees

If there is a talent shortage, the best thing that you can do is keep your top employees happy. Remember that you can also grow star talent from your current team. When you cannot hire from the outside, consider training a promising employee into the role. By giving your employees opportunities to grow and improve their skills, you will also prevent burnout and decrease turnover rates.

The job market will always ebb and flow. Knowing how to engage potential candidates best and grow your internal team will set you up for success – even amid a talent shortage.

Photo by Richard Burlton on Unsplash