Construction is a booming industry, with the construction job market growing by 3% every year. However, this growth is also creating new challenges for construction recruiters.
The job market in construction is competitive with employers struggling to attract and retain qualified workers. The main challenge for recruiters is finding the right candidate while also dealing with the influx of CVs that they receive every day.
To maximise this opportunity, job hunters need a plan in place before starting a career search or even just the CV writing process.
How to Find the Right Recruitment Agency
Recruitment agencies are a great way to find a job, but it’s important to make sure you’re looking for the right agency, for example, it must have a wide range of construction jobs.
When you’re looking for the right recruitment agency, there are some things that you should consider before making your decision.
You should also make sure to find out how many recruiters are in their office and how many CV’s they receive every month. For them to help you, their recruiters must have the time to look at your CV and set up an interview if you’re the right fit for their clients’ jobs. It’s also important that they don’t constantly work with the same client otherwise they won’t be able to help you find work.
Once you have signed up with your chosen agency or agencies you should start preparing for job interviews.
What is the Best Way to Prepare for an Interview?
There are a few ways to prepare for an interview. One is to just show up and wing it. That might work in some cases, but it’s not a good idea if you’re trying to get hired for a good construction job.
Instead, try doing your research on the company and the role you want to fill before the interview. Research what kind of questions will be asked, what type of company culture is like, and what skills the company is looking for in their employees. By doing your research beforehand, you’ll be more prepared for your interview and have more confidence going into it.
What Should I Avoid Doing during an Interview?
The interviewer will likely ask you what your strengths are and what you’re looking for in a job. It’s important to think about the type of job you want to get and the skills that are most important for that position.
You should avoid talking about your weaknesses or saying anything negative about previous employers. You should also avoid bringing up salary expectations or salary history during an interview. If the recruitment process includes follow-up interviews it would be best to wait for the second interview before talking about money.
Questions you may be asked
“Tell me about your past experiences.”
This question is usually asked to find out more about an applicant’s skills and experience that they have in the construction field. The interviewer wants to know how much experience you have and if you’re qualified for the job you want. This is also a good chance to share a success story. You don’t need to go into a very long story, but just enough to show them your modesty, honesty and willingness to work hard for the company or job.
“What do you enjoy about working in construction?”
The conversation can go two ways here. You can talk about all the different things you like about working in the construction industry, or you can go into detail about one specific aspect of your job. If you show them that you’re interested in the position and your attitude is positive, then they’ll be more likely to hire you.
“How do you handle disagreements?”
This question will help the company determine if an employee has problem-solving skills, if there is a conflict between co-workers. The recruiter will want to know how someone would solve a problem to see if they have the communication skills required for this position.
“What do you like to do in your spare time?”
This question can show the recruiter how flexible you are and if you really want to work for them. This is also a great chance to bring up hobbies and interests that you’re passionate about. If they ask, “what do you like to do in your spare time?”, try something along the lines of your hobbies or interests. It’s a good way to show them you’re adaptable, flexible with time and that you like to be hands-on.
Now is a good time to enter or progress within the construction industry. The pent-up demand due to Covid 19 is likely to keep demand high.