Redefining Interview Practices in Construction Hiring
When hiring for a construction business, most people follow the same outdated playbook: review resumes, conduct interviews, and make a decision based on how well someone talks about their skills. But here’s the problem—talking about skills isn’t the same as having them.
We recently went through a hiring process where we received over 80 applications. At first glance, many candidates looked impressive on paper. Strong resumes, polished phone interviews—they said all the right things. But when it came time to put their skills to the test, it was a different story.
Here’s what I realized:
A great interviewer doesn’t always make a great employee.
Some of the most talented people aren’t the best at selling themselves.
The traditional interview process misses out on incredible talent.
That’s when I thought about Temple Grandin, an extraordinary woman who revolutionized the cattle industry by thinking differently. She’s not your typical “interview” success story—she’s autistic, struggles with communication, but she’s a genius in her field. Companies like Google and Boeing now consult with her to improve their hiring practices, recognizing that not all talent shines in a traditional interview setting.
So, how do we apply this to construction hiring?
Stop relying solely on interviews. Take candidates into the field, hand them a set of blueprints, and watch how they problem-solve.
Test real-world skills. Ask them to identify framing issues, spot structural details, or walk through HVAC challenges.
Focus on action, not words. It’s easy to say “I’m experienced with project management software.” It’s harder to prove it—unless you ask them to show you.
In entrepreneurship, we’re often told to trust our gut. But hiring based on a “good feeling” can lead to costly mistakes. In construction, you wouldn’t approve a project without verifying the details—so why hire someone without seeing them in action?
The lesson? Interview less. Test more.
Because the best people aren’t always the best talkers—they’re the ones who can build, solve, and deliver when it matters.
