How A Construction Recruiter Can Help Your Business

According to a 2023 report from the Associated General Contractors (AGC), approximately 80% of construction firms are having difficulty filling hourly craft positions, such as carpenters, electricians, and laborers. This challenge stems from the fact that many of the skilled construction workers are aging out of the workforce, and there is an lack of skilled tradespeople entering the field. Construction also is known for having high turnover rates, which can make it harder to retain top talent.

While the need for construction workers increases every year due to Southern California's growing housing and infrastructure development, many companies are seeking out professional help from employment agencies and recruiters to help connect them with experienced workers to fill these important positions. 

Here are a few ways a construction recruiter can help your business:

Construction Recruiters Have Access To Qualified Job Seekers

One way that a construction recruiter can help your business is by tapping into their deep pool of job seekers who have the skills and experience that you're looking for. Instead of spending time and money posting general job descriptions on the internet and hoping for the best, recruiters go right to the source. They search within their network of skilled laborers to find candidates who are not only ready and willing to work but also have experience in the industry. 

One of the benefits of working with a recruiter is that you can specify the type of position you are looking for, the skill level, experience level, and any other details that matter to you when looking to fill a position. The recruiter will take this information and filter their results so that you only receive candidates who meet your specific criteria. This approach saves you time and effort, ensuring you’re presented with highly qualified individuals who are a good fit for your company’s needs. 

Construction Recruiters Have Industry Insights

While you may be familiar with the day-to-day processes, systems, and operations that are involved in running a successful construction company, you may not have up-to-date info on the industry as a whole. This can be problematic when hiring, especially when you are trying to offer competitive pay. One of a construction recruiter's main responsibilities is to have deep and current knowledge of the industry, including trends in labor shortages, wage benchmarks, and the skill sets that are in high demand. A recruiter is responsible for staying informed about the temperature of the market and where to find top talent. 

Hiring isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of job, and methods and systems that work for one demographic may not work for another. For example, recruiters may know how to target job postings in a way that caters to those new to the workforce. With this information, you can work with a recruiter to negotiate competitive salaries, benefits, and work culture initiatives that will bring in your ideal candidate. 

Time and Resource Delegation

Because construction companies are always looking for workers, the hiring and onboarding process can feel constant and consuming. Companies who spend time interviewing, reviewing resumes, running background checks, training, and onboarding new employees often find that they don't have time for other responsibilities. And while taking the time to hire the right person is essential for building a strong team, it can also be time-consuming. 

Working with a construction recruiter frees up your time to take care of your daily responsibilities while they work tirelessly on their end to recruit top talent. Delegating this time-consuming but very important job to an experienced recruiter ensures that you can focus on driving your business forward, managing projects, and maintaining client relationships without the constant distraction of creating job listings, reading resumes, holding interviews and completing the hiring process. 

Construction Recruiters Can Reduce Turnover 

Employee turnover not only disrupts the workflow of a construction company but can also be very expensive. Data shows that losing an employee can actually cost up to two times that worker's average salary in added costs. When employees quit or get laid off, companies have to spend money to advertise for that position, pay overtime for current employees who have to pick up the slack, hiring costs, etc. 

To prevent this, many construction companies in Southern California hire a recruiter who can spend the time on the front end of the hiring process ensuring that the candidate has the right experience, and skill set, and is a good fit for company culture the first time. Doing this research upfront reduces turnover, which in turn saves the company money. 

Next Steps

If you work in the construction field and are looking for full-time, part-time, seasonal, temporary, or contract workers to keep your business running smoothly, you don't have time to waste. Connect with GreatHire today to find the right people for your team.