Finding Good Work is Hard Work: Roman’s Story

 

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3 Tips For Applications From a Construction Recruiter

1. Be Professional
Let your recruiter or interviewer know how serious you are about the job by doing more than simply telling them. Be proactive in communicating with the company representative, and make sure to respond to phone calls, emails, and questions with appropriate and professional responses. It may seem simple, but often times showing up early for appointments and interviews, demonstrating good manners, and maintaining eye contact can really distinguish you from others applying for the same position. When comparing two candidates who are otherwise equal, the candidate who is polite and professional will get the job every time.

Recruiting horror stories are never ending (seriously, just Google it!). Acting inappropriately, and making your interviewer, or someone you encounter during the hiring process uncomfortable, will very likely cost you the job. It’s better to keep it professional.

2. Stay Open-minded
Even if you have years of experience in the construction industry, remaining open-minded when interviewing or starting a new job can alleviate lots of stress on your boss and yourself. Your new company may have a different way of doing things, and training at each company takes time. Show your interviewer, recruiter, or boss that you are open-minded and willing to try something new by letting them know of past learning opportunities you have taken advantage of.

Think back to when you were a child and what you dreamed of becoming when you grew up. Chances are, who you are now is not exactly what you planned to be then. Staying open-minded can allow for new and different opportunities that can lead to great success.

3. Demonstrate a Track Record of Hard Work
Jobs in the Construction industry do not always require previous construction experience. Previous work history is important, but does not always indicate your abilities. During the interview, or when other opportunities present themselves in the hiring process, make the effort to prove that you have previously, and expect to continue working hard.

Providing examples and stories of consistently staying driven and doing hard work will help any interviewer get a better understanding of the work they can expect from you if you join their company. Baker Roofing Company understands the value in good work, and expects employees at all levels to push themselves to always do good work above anything else. Being able to prove your hard work will always give you an advantage over anyone who can’t.

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4 Areas Construction Companies Need To Celebrate More

In the construction industry it’s very easy (and many times necessary) to get into a focused production mindset with blinders on to everything else. It is no surprise that day-in-and-day out, the life of a construction professional is filled with and consumed by budgets, timelines, change orders, and frustration, leaving room for very little else. A good work place, is a place that finds a balance. A balance between getting done what needs to be done, and creating a place where we don’t check our humanity at the door.

Below are a few areas, specific to the construction area, where you can step aside for a moment, and celebrate areas of our day that can simply be passed over. Recognition and celebration of employees’ accomplishments have been studied over and over again, proving its positive impact on morale, engagement, and productivity. We all know this, but finding the will and energy to actually do it can be a challenge. We would like to offer a few concrete ideas, that may seem common, but many companies simply take for granted.

Celebrating Safety
It is always one of the top mantras of every construction organization — “safety first.” We are all quick to recite it. Additionally, we are quick to penalize (and often rightly so) someone for operating outside of approved safe working practices. But we often neglect recognizing the employee that comes to work, and performs their tasks safely, efficiently, and with consistency.

At Baker, we not only recognize good safety habits on the job site, but also on the road. With over 400 trucks on the road, the company is greatly concerned about good driving habits. With that, Baker Roofing Company boasts a quarterly and annual “Safe Driver Award” that recognizes drivers for exceptional driving safety. The award comes with benefits of newer trucks, as well as other monetary and non-monetary recognitions.

Celebrate Exceptionalism
Every company has stories of ‘success’ that do not necessarily fall within standard job or project performance measures. Whether it was the foreman who pulled onto the side of the road to change a tire for a stranded driver, or the estimator that helped buy a stranger a tank of gas, these are sometimes the stories that are most worth celebrating. Authentic acts like these are never done for recognition, but just because it was the right thing to do.

Every month Baker Roofing Company celebrates acts like this. We call it the ‘Always Good Work Award’ — and it recognizes these acts of Exceptionalism. Nominated by peers, supervisors, or subordinates, and awarded in person by the Board of Directors (usually by surprise), it has resulted in some of the most memorable moments for the company.

Celebrate Commitment
It’s easy to celebrate the new addition to the team, taking them out for lunch, and showing outward excitement by introducing them to everyone in the office, but companies often fail to recognize those that have been with the company for years, and even decades. Formalize your tenure recognition by celebrating it the same time every year and categorically. At Baker Roofing Company we celebrate every new year, with those employees that have achieved the milestones of 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, etc… (we even have a few who have hit 50 years!).

Celebrate Healthy Living
Let’s face it, when we are working the last thing we often think about is “am I making healthy choices right now?” Having a good working environment includes one that encourages making healthy living choices. Find ways at work you can implement and encourage activities and choices focused on overall wellness. Try stretching or exercising at your desk (link), or Pre-job on-sight stretching to help prevent and alleviate muscle soreness. At Baker Roofing Company, we handed out over 100 Fitbits to employees who committed to an activity level goal, and saw great success! In this case, celebrating really points to an active effort of lending value too. The best perk of all is that being in a constant state of celebrating can also promote healthy lifestyles at your workplace!

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