Behind every successful business stands a dedicated team that’s worked relentlessly to grow the company and achieve the organizational goals. However, as a manager you probably know the best that building highly motivated teams isn’t as easy as pie. How do you motivate people who don’t want to put in the work? How do you pump up a flat team? Before we answer these questions, let’s check the findings of SHRM Employee Job Satisfaction and Engagement study conducted in 2015.

Only 69% team members feel that they are giving full effort into their work. But, there’s always scope for improvement.

How do you motivate your employees so that they put in more efforts?

You do not need any magic potion and resources to give that extra push to your team members. Here is how you can get started:

1. Communicate. Communicate and Communicate

“An employee’s motivation is a direct result of the sum of interactions with his or her manager.”- Bob Nelson

Do not limit yourself to a few emails; be the leader whom your team members can approach. Spoken words work wonders when it comes to waking up the spirit inside your team members. Skilled entrepreneurs are good communicators. They know how to deliver a bad news to the team members and use it as an opportunity to motivate them.

2. Set an Example

“The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.”- John Wooden

Do you want your team members to be always excited about their work? If yes, lead by example. Successful construction executives are always enthusiastic about the task at hand which makes their team members feel motivated to work hard and give their best shot.

3. Give Them Opportunities for Self-Development and Advancement

Team members feel motivated when they know that they are not only working for accomplishing company goals but, also for their career growth. Motivate your employees by offering them opportunities for learning new skills.

4. Reward Them for Their Efforts

“People work for money but go the extra mile for recognition, praise and rewards.”- Dale Carnegie

Rewards are nothing but a way to recognize the efforts the team putting to meet the company goals. From pizza parties, cash rewards to other incentives such as a paid day off and gift cards – you can reward the performers in your team in as many creative ways as you can imagine!

5. Empower Your Team Members

Give employees some leeway in deciding how to do their job. Empowering the team members will motivate them and connect them more with the job in hand. Conduct regular meetings. Take their advice and implement them. Give them the authority to take their own decisions. Here is what Jim Goodnight, CEO of SAS said about employee empowerment: “treat employees like they make a difference and they will.”

Gaining a strong understanding of what motivates people will help you get the most out of them. Hope you’ve found these tips useful.

If you are looking for construction executive recruiters in Texas or any other state, get in touch with us. Call us at 214-935-3626.

*Source: https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/trends-and-forecasting/research-and-surveys/Documents/2015-Employee-Job-Satisfaction-Engagement-Spotlight.pdf

Construction industry is different from other sectors; construction projects are usually large in terms of budget and resources, built on-site, and time-bound. Below we’ll discuss 7 secrets to become a successful construction projection manager-

1. Prepare a work plan

Effective construction project managers (PMs) take a proactive approach from the moment they’re appointed. They define the goals and scope of the project clearly. This gives the team members a clear picture of the milestones, timeline and the objectives of the project.

2. Use technology to monitor the costs

When it comes to budget, good construction project managers have realistic expectations and keep room for unexpected costs. Good Collaborative Work Management (CWM) tool helps them keep track of the finances while coordinating with each member involved.

3.Manage the work plan

It is essential to review the work plan every day to keep a track of the progress in terms of schedule and budget. A successful construction PM determines the activities and updates his/her work plan regularly.

4. Identify the Risks

Project managers are able to foresee the risks and take prior steps to curb them. Even during the project, they conduct a regular risk assessment to determine any potential risks that are to be mitigated.

5. Manage changes

Changes in construction projects are common; they can occur at any stage of the project and if not resolved through a formalized change management process can lead to contract disputes.

6.Promote Teamwork

Good team management is the core of a successful project. A good construction PM maintains a proper flow of teamwork to avoid problems that might result from resentment among team members.

7. Have a clear vision

Even before construction project managers start work, they consider the wider implications of the project. This can be anything from how a particular design affects the cohesion of the building to how to implement environment-friendly policies. A clear vision regarding the project is a money and time saver in the long run.

Are you looking for construction project manager recruiters in the US? Then we’re just a call away. Call us today at 214- 935-3626.

Engineers impact society in a multitude of ways. From roads and bridges to aircraft and software – they build solutions to complex problems. In the words of the UK Institution of Engineers, written in 1828 engineers were to “[direct] the great sources of power in nature for the use and convenience of man”.

“Scientists study the world as it is; engineers create the world that has never been.” – Theodore Von Kármán

Engineers, have, in many ways, developed the modern world with their ability to find answers to the toughest problems, willingness to innovate and make a difference and handle the unexpected.

Over here we discuss 7 traits of successful engineers.

1. Inquisitive

Successful engineers are inquisitive by nature; they ask a lot of questions. They analyze and examine things around them and find ways to make them function better.

2. Detail oriented

An infinitesimally small error can have huge impact on design and construction of a product, which is why great engineers pay attention to details.

3. Good communication skills

Successful engineers are also great communicators. They explain complex details of the project in simpler ways so that there is no room for confusion.

4. Stay abreast of the latest technological developments

From new tools to the latest research findings – successful engineers know what’s happening in their industry.

5. They are highly creative

Creativity is the key to innovation. Successful engineers think outside the box to solve problems that range from simple to most complex.

6. They are Logical

To take an abstract idea or a dream and create something real and usable out of it needs logic. And engineers live by logic.

7. Great Problem Solving skills

Problems can arise at any stage of a project. A seasoned engineer is quick in identifying where the problem stems from and provides a solution to fix it. They’re problem solvers at heart and focus on creating solutions to problems of varying degrees.

Are looking for engineering staffing agencies in Texas or New York? We can help you find the top talent for your company. We focus exclusively on finding management and executive-level candidates for clients in the construction, architecture, engineering, and real estate industries. Call us at 214-935-3626.

The data released by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the US Department of Labor shows that in 2014, 4,251 workers died on work. Out of these, 20.5% (874 workers) were in the construction industry. The report further reveals that 39.9% of these deaths in the construction industry resulted from falls. Here we discuss 5 important safety measures to prevent fall on the construction sites:

1. Test the Equipment

As per the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS) 2004, employers are responsible for providing a safe & healthy workplace for their workers. Construction workers use different equipments in the construction site. It is, thus, important to check the equipments (fixed and portable) before use.

2. Make a Proper Safety Plan

When estimating the cost of a project, include the cost that’ll be incurred to implement the safety measures. The construction project manager should do a thorough planning regarding the required tools to ensure safety at the construction site.

3. Select Proper Equipment

With a myriad of fall prevention equipments available in the market, it is tough to zero in on the right one. Equipment such as beam straps, safety nets, concrete plunger, beamers, retractable lanyards, butterfly anchors are effective in preventing falls.

4. Assess the construction site

A proper assessment of the job site helps identify the risky areas beforehand. Consider factors such as the layout of the site, nature of work to be undertaken, the height where the workers will undertake the task, and work conditions.

5. Train the Workers

Train the workers to use the equipments properly. For instance, ladders must be placed on a level and firm footing. Also, ladders should be used only after its upper or lower ends are securely fixed. Make them aware of the fall prevention policies of your company. Conduct training sessions and team meetings to train the workers. Also, provide them safety manuals, video aids or arrange for safety drills.

If you are searching for good construction staffing agency in Texas or in any other state, contact Construction Hunters. We’re a full service Executive Search and Recruiting firm serving our clients from construction, architecture, engineering, and real estate industries. We identify, attract and retain the right candidates for our client organizations. Call us at 214- 935-3626.

The skills that an efficient construction executive must possess are many and varied, covering the whole gamut of human personality. Here we discuss 5 key skills that help construction executives in keeping their projects on track and on budget:

1. They regularly communicate

They communicate regularly with their employees. He/she holds regular meetings and discusses the ongoing processes with the team members. This is essential to keep the team members motivated and informed about the various stages of the project.A survey conducted by Gallup named State of the American Manager
http://www.gallup.com/services/182138/state-american-manager.aspx?utm_source=gbj&utm_medium=copy&utm_campaign=20150408-gbj
found that employee engagement is highest when the managers regularly communicated with the team members. A good construction executive communicates clearly and effectively.

They ensure that each and every team member has a clear understanding of the message. They know how to deliver both good and bad news or any changes in the project. Also, they know what message needs to be delivered to whom and how.

2. Positive Attitude

Construction executives work under high pressure. Unanticipated problems and delays are common in any construction work. However, a construction executive can successfully combat these with a positive attitude. A positive attitude keeps their spirit high, boosts confidence and helps them think clearly.

3. Good Problem Solving skills

Challenges and obstructions are inevitable in any construction project. Anything can go wrong at any point of time. Great construction executives have good problem solving skills that help them adapt to various situations. For instance, construction projects might face problems such as delay in delivery of equipment and materials. Such incidents can delay the work. Superior problem solving skills based on proper re-evaluation of the situation can save the situation.

4. Assessment skills

Good assessment skills help the construction executive gain deeper insights into the nature of work and take care of the technical details. For instance, a construction project has to comply with the building regulations, safety code and other legal requirements. An efficient construction executive has to assess these requirements properly before the work starts so that the project doesn’t face any hurdles later.

5. Team player

A construction project is a team game and a good construction executive understands this. He/she fosters an environment where each member can work together and achieve the goals. Simple words of appreciation to the workers or spending time with them at the construction site can lift up their spirit and motivate them to work hard.

If you are looking for construction executive jobs, we can help. We’re a premier construction executive search and recruiting firm serving the construction, architecture, engineering, and real estate industries. To know how we can help you, call us at 214- 935-3626.

“It doesn’t make any sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.”- Steve Jobs

Building a great team is important for every company. However, the task of attracting the best talents can be taxing. Skills alone cannot deter a mine if candidate will be a successful fit for a position. It is important to identify the right candidates whom you can nurture and retain. Below we discuss a few tips to hire and retain the best talent:

1. Be specific about what you want

Before you start hiring, zero in on the skills you are looking for in the desired candidate. Prepare a list of attitudes and personality traits you think that the suitable candidate for that particular position should possess.

2. Plan your Interview

The interview process is the only way to determine if a candidate is a fit. A carefully planned interview gives you insight about a candidate. Plan your questions carefully. Avoid questions such as “list your greatest strengths and weaknesses.” Instead, ask what they learned from their last job. Such questions will give you an idea whether the candidate has the passion to learn and grow.

3. Emphasize Learning and Development

“If you take care of your employees they will take care of your customers and your business will take care of itself.”- J.W Marriott

Retaining a good employee can be tough if you do not offer them opportunities to learn and develop. Try empowering your employees. Give them the freedom to do their job and keep monitoring their progress. Be accessible to them and provide guidance.

4. Listen to Them

Keep the communication lines open. Ask for their feedback. This will help you know what they’re thinking. Also, hold regular meetings so they can share ideas and ask questions; it promotes employee engagement and will help you retain and develop your best candidates.

5. Recognize their Work and Offer Good Remuneration

When your team members perform well, praise them. Recognizing hard work boosts the enthusiasm of your entire team. Reward them when they meet their performance goals. Offer annual raises, and additional perks and benefits.

6. Meaningful Performance Evaluation

Conduct regular reviews to discuss the performance with your team members. Talk about the areas they’re performing well and where they need to improve.

Understanding how to keep your team members engaged is the key to retaining them.

Are you looking to hire for construction jobs in Illinois? We can help!  Give us a call today at 214-935-3626. For further information, please visit http://www.constructionhunters.com/contact/

If you’re in the construction industry, then we’ve jotted down important facts for you. Read on –

1. According to the U.S department of Labor (2000), every year over 440,000 people become apprentices in the construction industry. They receive training under 37,000 apprenticeship programs.

https://www.doleta.gov/programs/factsht/pdf/apprenticeship.pdf

2. A report published in 2007 by the California Employment Development Department showed that on a statewide basis, the construction industry in the state hires about 800,000 workers annually.

https://books.google.co.in/books?id=-Arr9VoWc7IC&pg=PA22&lpg=PA22&dq=construction+industry+employs+approximately+800,000+workers&source=bl&ots=Rpcug5UWVG&sig=CM0nmLZdTBpeoS4VMQF21IhdKnw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiTkMSJxvfMAhXmI6YKHQ9oDGYQ6AEIMTAF#v=onepage&q=construction%20industry%20employs%20approximately%20800%2C000%20workers&f=false

3. According to a report published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2012, the construction industry employs almost 6.9 million people annually.

4. The United States with a market share of around 10 percent is the second largest construction market worldwide.

http://www.statista.com/topics/974/construction/

5. According to a study by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) in 2015, the construction industry was estimated to make steady progress in 2016. It also predicted increases in non-residential construction spending by 7.4%.

https://www.abc.org/NewsMedia/ConstructionEconomics/ConstructionEconomicUpdate/tabid/270/categoryid/46/

6. It is forecasted that within the next several years, the construction industry in the US will create 58.4% of the total jobs in the country.

7. Do you know that the construction industry is the second largest employer in the USA? It is preceded by the US Government that recruits the most number of employees including the armed forces.

https://awsweldlink.org/businesses/page/construction-industry

8. According to census data prepared by the U.S. Small Business Administration, in 2004, almost 99,000 of the total 630,000 construction firms have opened since 2003. However, almost 77,000 firms went out of business during the same year.

http://rermag.com/headline-news-0/quick-facts-about-construction-industry

9. According to the Statistics of U.S Business Employment and Payroll, 2012 released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, in 2005, almost 91% of construction firms had less than 20 employees. Only 1% of the firms surveyed had an employee count of more than .

http://rermag.com/headline-news-0/quick-facts-about-construction-industry

10. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in November 2007, the average income of an employees in the construction industry was $21.27 per hour. This was higher than the average income of non-supervisory employees in all private industry.

Are you looking for a construction employment agency in the US? Then we are just a call away. Call us at 214-935-3626.

Market conditions, recruitment tools and the industry requirements have significantly changed over the last few years. The current state of recruiting industry is certainly a far cry from the days when candidates used to carpet bomb their resumes to every potential employer. Today, potential candidates look for companies that’re driven by purpose, impact and meaning – where team members are motivated (not ordered) to perform to the best of their abilities.

With the constantly changing recruitment landscape, the role of a recruiter is constantly evolving as well. And the only way recruiters can cope with change is honing their skills.

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”
– Joseph Addison

Here’s a lowdown on 8 books that recruiters must read to keep up with the latest trends in today’s fast-paced recruiting industry.

1. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

It offers great insights on what drives our thinking process. Penned by Nobel-Prize winning Daniel Kahneman, the book gives valuable guidance on how human beings think and how that affects our lives. This book is a real asset for recruiters.

2. Who: The A Method for Hiring by Geoff Smart, Randy Street, and Patrick Lawlor

It guides you through the labyrinth of the hiring process. It explains how you can improve hiring methods and increase your success rate.

3. Keeping the Millennial: Why Companies are Losing Billions in Turnover to this Generation by Jan Ferri-Reed and Joanne Sujansky

Are you confused over how to understand and handle the millennial? If yes, then read this book.

4. Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School by John Medina

This book takes you on a fascinating journey into the workings of the human brain.

5. 96 Great Interview Questions to Ask Before you Hire by Paul Falcone

Do not judge this book by its name and do not expect to get what the title suggests. Instead, this book can be your ultimate guide for conducting excellent interview sessions. It will help you understand the fundamentals of judging the right candidate and how you can draw the exact information you want from them.

6. The Hiring Prophecies by Andrew LaCivita

Read the book to understand why the best of the recruitment decisions can turn into a nightmare. It’s an organized and concise guide to understand how recruiters and candidates gather information and process it.

7. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini

The book explains the psychology of why people say “yes” & how to implement these learnings in our day to day life. It’s packed with amazing content on how you can influence others in a mutually beneficial way.

8. Search and Placement by Larry Nobles and Steve Finkel

The book is an indispensable guide on the fundamentals of hiring. From organizing your workspace to controlling your work flow, candidate follow-up and negotiating offers – this book covers all.

Are you searching for a construction employment agency? We can help you. Get in touch with us now to benefit from the skills and experience of some of the best building construction recruiters in Texas. Give us a call today at 214-935-3626.

Do you enjoy creating and building things? Are you a dreamer? Do you enjoy problem-solving? Algebra, calculus, geometry and arithmetic don’t scare you? You’re inclined towards finding beauty in every manmade creations? If yes, then you have the innate qualities that an architect must possess. An architect doesn’t just design structures, he/she paints our imagination and infuses life into it.

Let’s discuss more here –

Love buildings and structures: Do you often find yourself smitten by the aesthetics of a building? You don’t consider buildings as man-made structures of steel, concrete and bricks; for you they’re living beings full of energy, personality and life.

You Think Creatively: Architects are creative people. They manipulate spaces to create extraordinary structures. They love creating buildings that speak. Yes, buildings do speak. Here’s what ALEJANDRO ZAERA-POLO, a famous contemporary architect said “I think that buildings speak for themselves…I think that buildings, like characters in good novels, take on a life of their own and hopefully survive in more or less a good condition.” Now, the question is do you understand what do these buildings speak? If yes, then you have an architect hidden deep within your subconscious.

You think Scientifically: Do You love finding the logic behind a structural composition? Your thinking process does not defy the laws of science? If yes, then you’re reading the right article. Architecture is an unusual combination of art, beauty, science and mathematics. Architects don’t fill up vacuum, rather, they create spectacular spaces with their artistic, realistic and investigative skills.

4. You understand the true meaning of the word sustainable: Buildings worldwide consume 40 percent of global energy and 25 percent of global water. Architects have a huge responsibility to take concrete steps to save energy.

5. You find inspiration all around you but still crave for logic: Quoting Zaha Hadid, the first female architect to win Pritzker Prize “Architecture is semi-artistic, but you are inspired by nature, landscape, biology, all living things. You can be far more ambitious now, you can make great spatial experiences, but one thing which hasn’t changed is that we have to deal with gravity, to land on the ground.”

Looking for a construction/architecture job in Texas? If yes, then we can help you. You can visit our office for a face-to-face discussion or call us at 214-935-3626.

“Great vision without great people is irrelevant.”

—

Jim Collins, Author, Good To Great

Whether it’s a growing startup or a Fortune 500 company, a team with great people is crucial to building a thriving business. However, recruiting such talented minds is not an easy task. It’s in fact time-consuming and if you don’t measure your recruitment activities then you risk losing the hiring game.

Over here we’ll discuss important metrics to measure the success of your recruitment endeavors.

Number of Qualified Candidates

You will receive many resumes for a particular opening. But what matters is how many of them are qualified to receive an interview call. Mark Murphy wrote in Hiring for Attitude to “bring people on board who have drive and enthusiasm”. Technical skills can be taught but passion, motivation and commitment can’t be taught.

Time of Hiring Process

How long does it take to fill a vacant position? What’s the duration between the candidates appearing for the interview and the selected ones receiving the final call? Time is precious, so don’t take too long to hire the skilled candidates. Also, a vacant position means productivity loss.

Rate of Offer Acceptance

How often do candidates accept your employment offer? This is an important metric that helps you evaluate the success of your recruitment strategies. Also, it gives you a high-level insight into what attracts right people. Money is a huge incentive but it’s not the only factor that excites awesome recruits. According to a survey (https://hbr.org/2013/04/does-money-really-affect-motiv) the association between salary and job satisfaction is very weak. Company culture and interesting work play key role in getting great people on board.

Before you analyze your own offer acceptance rate, you might want to compare your performance with other organizations in your industry

This data is from the Recruiting Benchmarks Survey Report (http://www.slideshare.net/traslavina/recruiting-benchmarks-surveyreport) released by National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Cost of Hiring

What’s the total cost to hire a candidate? Check the advertisement cost, fee of recruiting agencies, time cost of the internal recruiter in screening the resumes and other hiring related tasks, time cost of the interviewer, drug record checks, and other background checks.

These metrics will help you understand the dynamics of the recruiting process. If you are keen to know about the best practices followed by the construction recruitment services, get in touch with us.