Web Site Streamlines Hiring Process

A new Internet-based service is providing hiring muscle to builders feeling the labor crunch. The Web site, www.hardhatzone.com, provides builders looking for project managers and superintendents with the resumes of qualified professionals seeking those jobs, usually within one day.

David McFadyen, founder of HardHatZone and past president of the NAHB Research Center, has witnessed the steady decline in qualified construction professionals. "The days of running a line ad in the classifieds and getting an acceptable response are over. All indicators show that it will get worse before it gets better."

Employers enter the site and fill out a job-opening form. An automated system searches a database of candidates for likely matches and e-mails the builder with those that qualify. When candidates respond, the employer is automatically informed that a qualified candidate has applied for consideration. Employers are able to view a ranked list of interested candidates and can purchase the best resumes for $95 each.

The site went live May 8, and so far, 742 candidates have filled out qualification reports for 43 participating employers. At press time, the company was in the process of compiling results information.

Bill Carpitella, senior vice president of organizational development for K. Hovnanian Enterprises in Red Bank, N.J., has since been using the site regularly to pull applicants and screen candidates for upcoming openings.

"This site really streamlines the hiring process for us," says Carpitella. "It will be a key strategy for us to get a jump-start on hiring."