If you’re looking to hire skilled tradespeople, it can be a daunting process to find workers who are appropriately qualified and experienced. However, it’s something that must be done to ensure that your construction project is completed in a timely manner and to a high standard. So to help you find the right people for the job, use the tips below.
Create a strong job listing
Before you can advertise the available position, you need to create a strong job listing. You need to explain exactly what you’re looking for, including must-have qualifications, skills and experience. Being specific about what you want can limit the number of inappropriate and unsuitable candidates who apply, making it easier for you to find the right person.
Remember to include the following key points in your job description:
- A clear and well-defined job title
- Opportunities and benefits that are offered at your company
- Salary and work hours, including whether it is full-time, part-time, contract or casual
- Location of work
- What a typical day looks like
- Must-have and desired skills, experience and qualifications
- Your contact information
Remember that your job listing is a form of marketing for your company. You want people to be excited about applying and the opportunity to work for you. Make the role desirable and attractive in order to get the best candidates out there.
Find your candidates
Once you’ve got your job ad ready, you can start looking for candidates. To ensure you get the best candidates out there, you need to make sure your advertisement is as visible as possible. It’s not enough to look for candidates in one place, you need to do the work and get your listing out there.
- Use your contacts
Many good hires have come from talking with industry contacts. These candidates often come highly recommended by people who have seen them in action. Talk with members of your company, as well as any other industry contacts you have. This may include suppliers, other contractors and government departments. - Advertise locally
Your ideal candidate may be closer than you think, so it’s worth advertising locally. This might include local newspapers or with relevant trade supply stores or schools and colleges. You can also leverage your industry contacts to find good places to advertise the position locally. - Advertise online
You can now start searching further afield by advertising online. Use professional sites like Linked In, Seek and Career One. Make sure your advertisement has the correct contact information, so candidates know who to send their applications to and are able to ask you any questions. - Use a construction recruitment agency
A recruitment agency may already have the information of suitable candidates on file, so make sure to engage with them. They can also help in sorting through applicants to ensure you only get the best of the bunch.
Narrow down the shortlist
Once you have a list of suitable candidates for the position, you need to find the right hire. Consider the following points as you look through the list:
- Passion: Ask about what they enjoy about their job and what their goals are. You want someone who loves their work and wants a career in the field.
- Relevant experience: Qualifications and skills are important but real-life experience can be invaluable. Ask about their previous roles and how these positions have given them experience for this role.
- Confident: A confident employee is often proactive and takes initiative. Your hire should have confidence in themselves and their skills. To gauge a candidate’s confidence, ask about their achievements and what they hope to achieve in the next five years.
- References: Before hiring anyone, check their references. This may be colleagues from former workplaces or previous clients. Ask about the candidate’s work ethic and if they would be suitable for the advertised role. Read our another article on "3 tips to recruit skilled labour"
Don’t forget that you can always keep an unsuccessful candidate’s information on file in case another similar role opens up in your company in the future. Ask candidates if they are happy for this to happen. This can significantly shorten the hiring process in future scenarios.
Consider apprentices
If you are struggling to find a qualified and experienced tradesperson for your position, you can always consider hiring an apprentice. While they may not have the experience and skill of a more-established tradesperson, they do provide an opportunity to mould an employee into the ideal worker. There may also be government incentives to hire trainees and apprentices.
Conclusion
When it comes to hiring the right tradesperson for the job, you need to be specific in your job listing and put in the effort when it comes to advertising. Once you have a pool of applicants, you can then find the most suitable candidate.
Social Profile