Recruiting candidates in the construction industry
How to source, engage, and interview top construction talent.
Discover key data-based insights to source talent.
Attract and identify great candidates.
Start the conversation with confidence.
Interview questions and what to listen for by role.
Recruiting talent
Insights on the construction industry talent pool
Understanding where the most in-demand construction candidates are located will help you make better talent decisions — from where you should open your next office to the size of the candidate pool.
Select a role to discover top locations and companies employing construction talent
Top locations for construction workers
United States • France • Italy • Venezuela • Mexico
Candidate information powered by LinkedIn Talent Insights data to help you make smarter, data-driven hiring decisions.
Top companies employing construction workers
Pemex
Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA)
Nestlé
Bouygues
Top locations for electrical engineers
India • United States • China • United Kingdom • Saudi Arabia
Candidate information powered by LinkedIn Talent Insights data to help you make smarter, data-driven hiring decisions.
Top companies employing electrical engineers
Siemens
Raytheon
ABB
Larsen & Toubro
Top locations for forklift operators
United States • Egypt • Pakistan • Colombia • Niger
Candidate information powered by LinkedIn Talent Insights data to help you make smarter, data-driven hiring decisions.
Top companies employing forklift operators
DHL
Costco Wholesale
PepsiCo
XPO Logistics
Top locations for project engineers
United States • India • China • United Kingdom • Germany
Candidate information powered by LinkedIn Talent Insights data to help you make smarter, data-driven hiring decisions.
Top companies employing project engineers
Wipro
Siemens
ABB
Honeywell
Top locations for construction supervisors
United States • India • China • Mexico • Brazil
Candidate information powered by LinkedIn Talent Insights data to help you make smarter, data-driven hiring decisions.
Top companies employing construction supervisors
The Home Depot
Larsen & Toubro
Nordic Construction Company
Skanska
Searching for talent
How to find qualified construction candidates
In order to expand your reach with in-demand candidates, you’ll need to post your open roles online. Get started by using our five useful job description templates.
Use these templates to help you hire the most in-demand construction talent
Construction worker job description
Construction workers use skill and stamina to build structures like homes, roads, office buildings, and more.
Responsibilities
• Complete in-progress or new construction projects
• Prepare and clean construction sites to eliminate possible hazards and ensure day-to-day safety
• Load and unload materials and operate machinery according to project plans
Skills and qualifications
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
• Ability to handle physical labor and basic math and measurement skills
• Experience as a general laborer in the construction industry is a plus
Download the full construction worker job description that includes skills, qualifications, and role objectives.
Electrical engineer job description
Electrical engineers are natural problem-solvers who support organizations by evaluating electrical systems and maintaining electrical components.
Responsibilities
• Design, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, and products, adhering to organizational standards
• Ensure compliance with specifications, codes, customer requirements, scopes, schedules, and budgets
• Prepare comprehensive documentation for all electrical designs
Skills and qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited institution
• Strong electronic testing and database design capabilities along with an understanding of electronic manufacturing processes
• Experience with software development and platform implementation preferred
Download the full electrical engineer job description that includes skills, qualifications, and role objectives.
Forklift operator job description
Forklift operators are certified professionals who use special industrial tractors, lifts, and trucks to move heavy equipment from one place to another.
Responsibilities
• Accurately pick, pack, check, and load products to and from designated areas and onto and off of trailers
• Complete forms and handle documentation and production records
• Inspect machinery to determine the need for repairs, and guarantee safety by performing regular maintenance
Skills and qualifications
• High school diploma or equivalent and an OSHA-approved forklift certification
• Experience working with heavy machinery and the ability to handle heavy equipment on a regular basis
• Able to understand codes and fill out forms correctly
Download the full forklift operator job description that includes skills, qualifications, and role objectives.
Project engineer job description
Part technical expertise and part project management savvy, project engineers bring together stakeholders and manage complex industrial and engineering endeavors from start to finish.
Responsibilities
• Assist the construction manager in establishing project objectives, procedures, data collection methods, and performance standards
• Prepare updates of construction activities, manpower analysis, and equipment required
• Maintain budgetary, scheduling, and project database oversight, and report regularly to project manager
Skills and qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field with 4+ years project management, project engineering, or project planning experience
• Experience supporting Engineering Change Request (ECR) and Engineering Change Orders (ECO) processes
• Proven understanding of compliance and quality assurance guidelines and best practices
Download the full project engineer job description that includes skills, qualifications, and role objectives.
Construction supervisor job description
Most companies, teams, departments, or shifts have a supervisor guiding them. They’re responsible for the daily tasks of the group, aligning projects with business goals, and managing employees.
Responsibilities
• Coach employees to meet quality and on-time delivery requirements and provide constructive feedback and mentorship as needed
• Address production challenges, and communicate to appropriate leadership
• Set performance goals and deadlines in line with the company’s vision, and monitoring budgets and reporting variances to leadership
Skills and qualifications
• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree, professional certification, and proven work experience in a supervisory role
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills with the ability to communicate effectively across departments
• Ability to motivate people on your team and across departments
Download the full supervisor job description that includes skills, qualifications, and role objectives.
Recruiting for a remote future
Get 7 tips to help you implement the processes and technologies needed to thrive in a virtual work environment.
Engaging with talent
3 ways to engage with construction talent
Use email, your employer brand, and LinkedIn Groups to initiate a conversation.
In order to pique the interest of qualified candidates, you’ll need to develop a meaningful connection with them. Accomplish this by clearly communicating company opportunities and goals through email, a strong employer brand, and conversations in LinkedIn Groups.
Connect with construction candidates through email.
Great construction candidates get a lot of messages from recruiters, so it’s important to make yours stand out. Always customize every email to match the candidate’s interests and desires, as well as your own personality and style.
Best practices to help make your email stand out:
Keep your subject lines short and impactful
Use keywords like “thanks,” “exclusive invitation,” “connect,” “job opportunity,” and “join us.”
Start a dialogue
Candidates don’t respond well to “look at the job and tell me if you’re interested” messages. Instead, have a conversation about their career path and goals.
Use a conversational, enthusiastic tone
Choose words that reflect your personal voice and express a genuine interest in helping candidates with their professional goals.
Build an online presence construction candidates will want to follow.
A strong online brand is essential for attracting high-quality construction talent. With an online presence, you’ll diversify your reach, build rapport with candidates, and stay top of mind when they’re looking for their next role. Candidates tend to look at a brand’s LinkedIn Page, careers site, and social media profiles.
Simple steps to boost your online brand:
Incorporate pictures and videos
• Showcase real employees and the vibrant work environment
• Promote perks like work-life balance or volunteer days
Share testimonials
• Show a personal experience that candidates can relate to
• Demonstrate that you’re an employer that values its staff
Start a dialogue with construction talent in groups designed for recruitment.
LinkedIn Groups give like-minded professionals a chance to network, share their interests, and discover new opportunities. Here are the details to help you find, join, and post on LinkedIn Groups, so you can start building credibility with your audience.
Reach out to a candidate in a LinkedIn Group.
Oil & Energy, Construction — HR & Recruitment
Learn about global employment and business opportunities in oil, gas, and construction.
Join now
Construction Management
This group is geared toward professionals at all levels of the construction industry who wish to explore opportunities and discuss trends.
Join now
Construction Professionals Forum
This group was created as a networking group for all non-residential construction professionals. It includes engineers, craft professionals, and others who work in the construction industry.
Join now
6 steps to redesigning your LinkedIn profile
You don’t pick talent — talent picks you. Revamp your LinkedIn profile in this six-step guide.
Interviewing talent
Top interview questions for construction roles
Discover what to ask and what to listen for.
What are the top interview questions you can ask to assess a candidate’s fit for a role? Learn effective interview questions to identify and hire top talent by selecting for the role you’re hiring below.
QUESTION
Talk about the construction projects you’ve worked on in the past.
WHAT THIS EVALUATES
Get an idea of the range of projects — from masonry to scaffolding — that your candidate has worked on.
QUESTION
If you saw a colleague working unsafely, what would you do?
WHAT THIS EVALUATES
This question can tell you if an applicant is willing to confront a colleague and how they see and value safety in the workplace.
QUESTION
Do you enjoy helping others develop their skills?
WHAT THIS EVALUATES
In construction, there’s always some training on the job. Good candidates will promote teamwork and be willing to lend a hand.
Get more sample interview questions, plus what to listen for and why these questions matter, by visiting the top interview questions for construction workers.
QUESTION
Tell me about your experience with computer-aided design (CAD) systems.
WHAT THIS EVALUATES
Look for applicants who understand that this widely used tech can help to speed up processes and contribute to quick design modifications.
QUESTION
Have you explored sustainable materials in electrical engineering systems?
WHAT THIS EVALUATES
This question helps you to understand if the applicant has their ear to the ground when it comes to new and sustainable technologies.
QUESTION
How important is client satisfaction to you?
WHAT THIS EVALUATES
A great candidate understands the importance of being proactive, communicating clearly, and performing above set standards.
Get more sample interview questions, plus what to listen for and why these questions matter, by visiting the top interview questions for electrical engineers.
QUESTION
What types of forklifts have you operated in the past?
WHAT THIS EVALUATES
There are many types of forklifts, and the best candidates will be able to talk fluently about how they work and where they’re used.
QUESTION
Tell me about a time you incorrectly operated a forklift.
WHAT THIS EVALUATES
Understand a potential employee’s willingness to face up to their mistake, and if they’re likely to be a conscientious worker.
QUESTION
Do you think of yourself as reliable?
WHAT THIS EVALUATES
Ensure that potential workers are driven, serious enough to work promptly, and won’t let the team down when it matters.
Get more sample interview questions, plus what to listen for and why these questions matter, by visiting the top interview questions for forklift operators.
QUESTION
What’s your approach for reducing accidents on the floor?
WHAT THIS EVALUATES
Listen to see how the candidate discusses specific strategies for proper training and equipment management.
QUESTION
What types of projects have you worked on in your career?
WHAT THIS EVALUATES
Variety isn’t crucial to success, but it may demonstrate a candidate’s ability to deal with different people and conceptualize ideas.
QUESTION
Tell me about a project that ultimately ended in failure.
WHAT THIS EVALUATES
All project engineers face the occasional failure — but the good ones use those experiences as an opportunity to grow.
Get more sample interview questions, plus what to listen for and why these questions matter, by visiting the top interview questions for project engineers.
QUESTION
How have you motivated teams in previous roles?
WHAT THIS EVALUATES
Look for signs that your applicant knows how to use motivation strategies to get the most out of their teams and direct reports.
QUESTION
How do you handle pressure or change in your job?
WHAT THIS EVALUATES
This question can help you identify a candidate’s problem-solving abilities and navigational skills.
QUESTION
Describe your management style.
WHAT THIS EVALUATES
There’s a place for all supervisory styles, but it’s important to make sure a candidate’s style is in line with what you need.
Get more sample interview questions, plus what to listen for and why these questions matter, by visiting the top interview questions for supervisors.
How to Hire Hub
Everything you need to find and hire the right person for your organization can be found in our How to Hire Hub.
How a fast-growing construction software company in a small beach town doubled job applicants by zeroing in on its employer brand.
Read our additional hiring guides
LinkedIn in action
We offer a full range of hiring and recruiting solutions for every step in the process. We’ll help you find and engage the right candidates, build your brand, and make even smarter talent decisions with LinkedIn data and insights.