When working in construction recruitment, what is a niche market, also means that the impression a candidate makes is magnified. 

Skills and the ability to do the job are always important, but how we are as people means a lot.

Let’s share with you the fact that employers want to work with people they feel comfortable with, beyond the job at hand.

Jack Bond, Managing Director, shares how the world works in construction, “The construction industry is a specific marketplace, there are only so many people that are within the ecosystem. That means, for instance, we have a defined number of regional managers, contract managers and site managers working with us. As a result, we know who is going to be of value to a company and huge benefit to a new employer.

“The only point that can let people down is how they handle certain aspects of the interview. For instance, we have all heard the stories of candidates asking about salary, how far they will travel and their holiday requests during the interview. You need to come across as genuine, interested and how you can support a business.”

It might not be what you wear, but that first impression counts, according to Jason Drinkwater, Director, “It could be attitude, it could be being engaged in the interview, it could just be coming across in an approachable, genuine and friendly manner. This is so important to present as we know the people who are right for a business. A recruiter will prep a candidate way before the interview so they feel ready, but if you are unsure about what to wear, make sure you ask about the dress code.”

Sometimes though, it might just come down to character traits that don’t match up. Russell Drinkwater, Director, explains, “We all want to get along, but sometimes it’s not about the skillsets people have, just the fact that personalities don’t match up. For instance, a fantastic manager might not be quite as enthused as an employer was expecting. Sometimes a person’s personality or values don’t sit side by side the way a company behaves.”

“During the early years of Bond Recruit, there were occasions where we would explain to an employer that the candidate deserves their chance, after an interview. A lot here was based on trust and once a candidate had completed their first week, they were settled. It’s important to remember that not everyone can deliver in front of others in what can be an unsettling situation.”

To progress, the relationships and rapport we all build are vital.

Here is what we know when it comes to making a good early impression:

• Positivity matters
• Put aside, for now, bonuses and progression
• Be ok with showing the real you in a believable and authentic way
• Do your research, it helps you feel more comfortable
• Courtesy and a ‘thank you’ go a long way

A successful company works with others working together where people get on and where there is trust and well-suited traits. The impressions we all make can have a lasting effect.