AMBASSADOR UPDATES
TJ’s advice on the challenges and market changes relevant to SME construction companies searching for talent on the West Coast.
Frequency: every month or two.
If you’re a construction executive or part of a busy HR team, you’ve probably said it: “Everything has to go through HR.” It sounds like structure. It feels like safety. But to candidates and recruiters, it often signals something else entirely: A system that’s misaligned. A process without ownership.A team that’s avoiding the one thing […]
(And would you be proud of the grade?) Imagine this:A candidate walks into your interview process undercover. They’re sharp. Experienced. Quietly evaluating you—not just the other way around. They’re grading everything: your clarity, consistency, hospitality, preparation, and follow-up. This secret shopper doesn’t care how good your project portfolio is or how sleek your job ad […]
👷♂️ Both wanted great hires. Only one got there without chaos. Let’s talk about two real clients. Client A: The Controller Client A came to us because they were tired of making bad hires. They wanted help, fast. But the moment we kicked off, they began steering the ship. They hired us for recruiting. But […]
Opening reality check – Your $25 M school addition is four weeks behind schedule because the project‑manager seat is still empty. The LD clock is ticking at $1,500 a day. How did an “affordable” in‑house recruiting plan get you here? Below is a field‑tested framework that exposes the full cost of an internal talent‑acquisition (TA) team […]
The Static You’re Hearing Endless résumés pour in from job boards, yet most have no relation to the role or your culture. Recruiters burn hours sorting, interviewers lose momentum, and quality candidates disappear while you sift through static. Why Job Boards Multiply Noise 🔊 Job boards reward volume, not relevance. Their algorithms optimize for clicks, […]
And how to do it—online or in person When a candidate walks into your office—or logs onto a video call—they’re not just evaluating the job. They’re evaluating you. And too often, that first impression feels cold: rushed intros, robotic questions, zero warmth. You might think you’re being neutral or efficient. But to a candidate, it […]
Introduction: The Hidden Power of a Strong Employment Brand Most construction companies struggle with hiring because they haven’t built a strong employment brand. They assume that if they:✅ Offer decent pay✅ Have good projects✅ Provide a steady pipeline of work … then talent should come naturally. But in today’s market, that’s not enough. The best […]
Today I had a conversation that made me pause. A client was telling me about a previous recruiter they’d worked with. “They helped us find two people,” they said. “One didn’t work out, so they were batting 50%.” Fifty percent. That number stuck with me. Not because it’s off the mark (we’ve all seen mixed […]
Also known as: Disciplined, Active Investigation Hiring well isn’t just about instincts.It’s about what you test, what you believe, and what you’re willing to dig into. If you want to hire better leaders, make fewer mistakes, and build stronger teams, you need this mindset:👉 Optimistic skepticism—or said differently, disciplined, active investigation. It’s rare. But it […]
Let’s talk about a simple change that saved one of our clients hours of back-and-forth emails and helped them accelerate their interview momentum without sacrificing flexibility or confidentiality. The Old Way: Death by Scheduling You know the drill. You’re ready to move forward with a candidate—but first, the dreaded calendar shuffle.“What about Tuesday at 2?”“Actually, […]
