The Pattern I Keep Seeing I’m in the middle of a search right now. But honestly… when am I not? And like I always do, I start mapping the market. Who’s strong Who’s growing Who’s stable Who’s quietly bleeding After nearly 30 years recruiting civil engineers, certain patterns jump out fast. And there’s one...
The Phrase That Sounds Harmless…But Isn’t “We’d like to see a few more candidates before we decide.” On the surface, that sounds reasonable. Measured. Thoughtful. Strategic. In reality? That’s usually the moment you’re about to lose the candidate you actually want. What That Statement Really Means Let’s translate it. You’re not saying: “We’re making...
The Moment That Catches People Off Guard Counteroffers feel personal. They feel like validation.Recognition.Proof that you matter. But here’s the reality. Counteroffers are not random.They are strategic. What Actually Happens Behind the Scenes Recently, I worked with two civil engineers who both had the exact same experience after giving notice. Multiple meetings Emotional...
The Question That Reveals Everything There’s a question I heard recently that stuck with me. Simple. Direct. A little uncomfortable. “Who is your replacement?” That one question tells you everything you need to know about how a firm thinks about talent. Because if there’s hesitation…If there’s no clear answer…That’s not...
“Future-Forward Workforce Shortage: It’s Not a Mystery - It’s Math”via Engineering Inc (Powered by ACAC).I came across this article recently and thought it nailed something many folks in hashtag#civilengineering feel every day, but don’t always articulate well.The core takeaway:The civil engineering talent shortage isn’t a...
The Phrase I Hear Every Week If you spend enough time talking to civil engineers, you’ll hear this one constantly: “I’m looking for growth.” Sounds simple enough. But here’s the problem.That word means something very different to engineers than it does to a lot of employers. And that disconnect is...
In an increasingly polarized society, political discussions can easily seep into the workplace, potentially causing tension among employees. Here are some ideas as to how to best navigate what can be a very sensitive topic for some Approach: Establish Clear Policies: Define what constitutes acceptable conversation...
Effective onboarding is crucial in setting up new hires for success and ensuring they integrate seamlessly into your firm's culture and operations. Best Practices: Pre-boarding Communication: Reach out to new hires before their start date with welcome messages and necessary information. Providing details about first-day expectations, dress...
The New Front Door For Civil Engineering Firms In today's digital age, your firm's online presence serves as the first impression for potential candidates and clients alike. A well-maintained website and active social media channels can significantly influence a candidate's perception of your company. Key Considerations: Showcase Company...
I came across a recent SHRM report that really got me thinking about workplace culture—especially in the civil engineering world. According to the study, employees who view their workplace culture as positive are nearly 4x more likely to stick around. On the flip side, 57%...