Ghost Written article for Construction News:

 Avoid problems by hiring the right project manager

Hiring the right project manager is critical to a construction company's success. As the key to a profitable, smooth-running company, the project manager must be able to coordinate the workflow, communicate at many levels, handle the inevitable problems and juggle many tasks.

The Problem

In today's economy, finding the right project manager can be a tough job.

"Good people are always hard to find, but it's getting harder to find qualified project managers because the construction industry seems to be consolidating," said Michael Kessler, CFO of Levine Builders, a contracting company in Douglaston, Pa. "Project managers aren't moving around as much."

The Options

Levine Builders, like many other construction companies, finds its project managers through word of mouth.

"Usually a subcontractor recommends to us someone with whom he has worked in the past," Kessler said, stressing that his firm doesn't attempt to acquire its project managers by raiding the competition. "That's not the way we do business."

Salesmen can be a good source for leads, said H. Kent Craig, a contributing editor for Contractor magazine, who also has more than 20 years of experience as a senior project manager.
"They [salesmen] are in tune with the construction industry," Craig said. "Ask them if they know of any good project managers who are unhappy, looking for work or wanting to move."

Other ways of finding a project manager are available, but they are not as effective or as widely used. For example, a company can advertise in the media, but Craig pointed out that this might not be as effective as other approaches.

"Even in a slow economy, as we have now, any good, skilled project manager won't have to look at the want ads if he is thinking about moving," he said.

The Internet is billed as the hot new medium companies can use to find qualified employees, but do you really want to plow through millions of resume that a job bank such as Monster.com offers? You also can hire a job recruiter, and several specialize in the construction industry. Keep in mind that using a job recruiter, however, will cost you money, and it could take some time.

The Hiring Process

Once you find a candidate who appears qualified, work to minimize your chance of making a mistake. Begin by focusing on the resume. Is it organized and well written? Does the candidate have the relevant experience? Construction technique? Communication skills? And, don't forget to look for evidence of a solid financial background.

"The project manager's primary focus on a job is to manage cost," said David S. Deriso, president of Realty Construction Co. in Atlanta, Ga., a general contracting company that operates in the Southeast United States. "He needs a strong financial background to understand cost accounting."

Of course, you've tried to read between the lines on the resume, but the interview is where you'll be able to size up the candidate. It's possibly the most important step in the hiring process, so give yourself a solid hour, and invite some of your key company managers to the meeting. Gauge the candidate's style and personality to determine if he or she will fit in to the company's culture. Make your interview approach consistent by asking each candidate the same questions.

Think you've found Mr. Right? That's the time to check out his references. "In today's legal climate, you can't ask a reference certain questions," Kessler said. "But, you don't have to stick to the names on the resume. For example, you can find some subcontractors the candidate has worked with. Call and ask them for their frank appraisal."

The Next Step

Hiring Mr. Right is just part of the challenge. You'll also need to do your best to keep your project managers. Send new project managers a letter describing their job responsibilities and outlining their benefits. Then provide them with a more detailed manual when they begin work. That's what Levine Builders does.
"We want to make sure there are no surprises and they feel comfortable with us," Kessler said.

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