If you’re in the construction industry, you’ve probably heard the phrase ‘candidate short market’ being thrown around a fair bit. Right now, there’s no doubt that skilled professionals are in high demand. But does that automatically mean job opportunities are everywhere? Not quite.
There’s a big misconception in the industry that a shortage of candidates must mean a lot of job openings with many believing there will be a smorgasbord of suitable jobs to pick and choose from at the exact moment they need to find one.
Unfortunately, the reality is more complex. While the market is tight on talent, that doesn’t mean there are endless opportunities just waiting to be snapped up. In fact, even in a candidate-short market, we’re simultaneously experiencing a job-short market.
Let’s break down why this happens, along with common misconceptions, and the steps you can take to best prepare when looking for your next career move.
A candidate short market doesn’t mean it’s a job rich market
It’s easy to assume that if companies are struggling to find skilled professionals or looking to fill roles, then job seekers should have their pick of the best roles. But that’s not necessarily how things work. A candidate short market means that there are fewer people available with the right skills, but that doesn’t automatically mean a flood of job openings.
The number of jobs available is influenced by various factors – economic conditions, government infrastructure spending, private sector investment, and overall industry confidence. Right now, many businesses are being cautious with hiring, even if they’re struggling to fill key roles.
There might be delays to some projects due to some builders clients’ experiencing tight funding , leaving some builders unable to commit to new hires until contracts are officially awarded. Rising construction costs have slowed private investment, and government projects are taking longer than expected to move into the construction phase – hospital projects, for example, are significantly behind schedule. As a result, many builders aren’t expanding; new projects are mostly replacing completed ones, with staff being rolled over rather than new hires being made.
Despite the perception of a booming construction industry, many projects are already fully staffed. There simply aren’t as many new roles because businesses are placing their resources into completing existing projects rather than expanding their teams. So, while skilled candidates are in short supply, job opportunities remain limited by project timelines and funding cycles.
This cautious hiring approach is based on mitigating risk rather than a lack of eagerness to find the right talent. Over the past five years, rising labour and material costs have made it an increasingly difficult market to navigate, especially with already tight margins. As a result, many builders are being more selective about hiring, prioritising stability over rapid expansion. In other words, while it might seem like there’s an all-you-can-eat buffet of opportunities, the reality is more like a set menu with carefully planned portions.
Five common job seeker misconceptions
A booming construction market always means more jobs
Even when the construction industry is performing well, that doesn’t always translate into an increase in job opportunities. Why? Because many projects are already staffed, and companies are prioritising keeping their existing teams in place.
Major projects often take years to plan and secure funding for, so the hiring cycle doesn’t necessarily align with the overall strength of the market. Just because there’s talk of a construction boom doesn’t mean there’s a wave of new job openings at any given moment. Companies still have to balance budgets, ensure project viability, and navigate logistical challenges before hiring.
The misconception of a ‘million jobs waiting’
Opportunities do exist, but they rarely pop up exactly when you need them. The timing of new job openings is unpredictable. Some roles get filled quietly or internally before they even hit the market, while others take weeks or months to go through the hiring process as there’s a natural lag between when a role is created and when it becomes available to new candidates. Employers aren’t just hiring for the sake of it; they’re filling specific gaps with carefully chosen candidates. This means that even if there’s demand, it doesn’t guarantee that the job that meets your requirements is available the exact moment you start looking.
Low unemployment means lots of new jobs
A low unemployment rate is often mistaken as a sign that more jobs are being created. So, whilst low unemployment does mean most people are employed, it doesn’t necessarily mean that companies are constantly hiring for new positions.
What we’re seeing now is more about full employment than rapid job creation. Companies are tending to hold onto their current employees tightly by offering competitive benefits and opportunities for growth such as offering internal promotions, and upskilling existing employees, rather than filling new positions because they know how hard it is to replace them.
Peer perception vs market reality
It’s easy to look around and think, “Everyone I know is busy on a project, so there must be plenty of jobs out there.” But that’s not how it works. When most professionals are already employed and engaged in projects, it actually means the market is stable rather than growing and creating more jobs.
Job opportunities come from turnover, business expansion, or new projects kicking off. If everyone is settled in their current roles and companies aren’t expanding or starting additional projects they won’t be in hiring mode, it can be harder to find a new opportunity straight away even if you have a strong skill set. The success stories you hear of, or see from friends, are generally not spontaneous opportunities that appear on demand.
Assuming jobs are easy to get
One of the biggest mistakes people make in a candidate-short market is assuming that finding a job will be easy when the time comes. This assumption leads to risky career decisions – like leaving a current role without having another lined up, holding out for unrealistic salary expectations, or passing on solid opportunities in the hopes that something better will come along quickly.
The reality is that job searching still takes time, planning, persistence and patience. Companies are selective, hiring processes can be slow, and competition will always be present even if there are fewer candidates in the market. It’s essential to approach your job search with the same level of preparation and effort as you would in a more balanced market. It’s much more effective to prepare ahead of time, build your network, and be ready when the right opportunity comes along.
How to navigate this market as a job seeker
So, how can you make the most of the market without falling into common pitfalls? Here are some practical tips to help you make more informed career decisions:
- Be proactive, not reactive – Don’t wait until you desperately need a job to start looking. Keep in touch with recruiters and industry contacts so you’re aware of opportunities before you need them.
- Stay flexible – Your perfect job might not exist at the exact moment you start looking. Consider roles that meet with your long-term goals rather than waiting for the ‘ideal’ opportunity.
- Keep your skills sharp – Employers may not be hiring in droves, but they are looking for quality people. Invest in continuous learning and make sure your qualifications, certifications, and industry knowledge are up to date. This not only makes you a more attractive candidate but also boosts your confidence.
- Have realistic expectations – While your skills are valuable, that doesn’t always mean that the timing of job openings might meet with your plans. Also remember, companies won’t just be waiting with sky-high salaries or immediate offers, so setting realistic salary expectations is important, along with standing out by articulating the value you bring to the business above the standard expectations of the role, by providing a project list, what your achievements are, and any challenges you have overcome at work. Remember, everyone in the same role will have similar skills and responsibilities and that’s why it’s important to show real performance-related arguments with concrete examples.
- Think long-term – Think of your career as a series of deliberate moves that build towards your ultimate goals over five to ten years. Even if the perfect role isn’t available right now, every position offers valuable experience and growth opportunities. A long-term outlook can help you navigate market fluctuations with greater confidence.
- Consider a sideways move – Sometimes, the best opportunities come in unexpected forms. A sideways career move or a role that might not seem like a straight path to your dream job, can provide valuable experience, new skills, and fresh perspectives.
Final thoughts
The construction industry is ever-changing, and the relationship between job openings and candidate availability is not as straightforward as it might appear. Although there’s a shortage of candidates, this doesn’t mean that there’s an overflow of opportunities. Companies are focusing on strategic staffing, careful project planning, and retaining the people they have, which all contribute to a more measured pace of hiring.
By understanding these market factors, you can approach your career with realistic expectations that can lead to making better career decisions. The point is to be prepared, rather than expecting instant results. This way you will be ready to take advantage of the opportunities when they do come along.
Looking for your next construction job? Search our current construction roles here, or to chat with our team about securing your next opportunity, get in contact with us through our Contact Us page.
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