The Take Off - The Quantity Surveying Podcast
Ep 178: Why's it SO HARD to recruit Good People in Construction?
Why Is It So Hard to Recruit Good People? It’s one of the most common frustrations across construction right now: “Why is it so f *ing hard to recruit good people?”** Whether you’re in Sydney, Dublin, London or Stockholm, the challenge is much the same. Businesses have projects, pipelines and ambitious growth plans — but finding genuinely high-quality people to deliver them has become increasingly difficult. In this episode of The Take Off Podcast , Mick breaks down seven reasons why recruiting great people has become so difficult — and why the traditional approach to recruitment is no longer enough. The best people aren’t looking for jobs — they’re usually busy delivering projects, solving problems and progressing within their existing business. Companies are searching for unicorns — increasingly narrow requirements around sector, project type, software, qualifications and local experience dramatically reduce the available talent pool. We’re trying to hire tomorrow’s employee on yesterday’s salary — expectations have moved faster than many salary bands. A pay rise isn’t enough anymore — career stage, family, flexibility, security, progression, leadership and lifestyle can matter just as much as money. Recruitment processes are too slow — lengthy interviews, approvals and assessments can kill momentum and create doubt. Businesses underestimate the impact of rejection — repeated offer declines can affect internal confidence and external employer reputation. Recruitment has become too transactional — the strongest businesses identify, map and build relationships with talent long before a vacancy becomes urgent. The fundamental difference? Finding someone who wants a job is very different from convincing someone you genuinely want to hire to change jobs. For difficult appointments, recruitment increasingly looks less like filling a vacancy and more like strategic procurement of talent — understanding the market, identifying the right people early and building relationships before you desperately need them. If you're a business owner, construction leader or hiring manager struggling to attract the calibre of people you need, this episode explores what may actually be getting in the way. And if you're a candidate? It offers an insight into what businesses are really looking for — and what can make someone genuinely stand out in a crowded market. ️ The Take Off Podcast GEDON™ Search | Precision Search for Complex Construction
