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Author: Green Line SEO

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Happy Labor Day

Labor Day: Honoring Hard Work and Building a Stronger Future

Labor Day:

Honoring hard work and building a stronger future.

Labor Day is more than just a long weekend; it’s a time to recognize the contributions of the people who keep America moving. From skilled tradespeople on jobsites to the project teams managing complex builds, labor is the backbone of our communities and economy. The holiday reminds us that behind every finished project, every building, and every piece of infrastructure is the dedication, sweat, and skill of workers who make it possible.

At Propel People, we celebrate labor not only on Labor Day but every day. Our mission is to help construction companies honor their workforce by making hiring faster, smarter, and more efficient, so teams can focus less on paperwork and more on building the future.

Why Labor Day Matters in Construction

The construction industry thrives on hard work, collaboration, and skilled craftsmanship. Labor Day highlights workers' essential role in shaping cities, powering infrastructure, and driving progress across the country. It’s also a chance for companies to reflect on how they support their teams, whether through better hiring practices, safer jobsites, or creating growth opportunities.

Labor Day underscores the importance of investing in people for contractors and construction firms. Strong labor means strong projects, and strong projects mean a stronger future for the entire industry.

How Propel People Helps Build a More Efficient Workforce

Recruiting in construction doesn’t look like it did a decade ago. Skilled trades are in high demand, project timelines are tighter than ever, and traditional hiring tools can’t keep up. Propel People is the only AI-powered applicant tracking system (ATS) designed specifically for construction. By modernizing recruitment, Propel People empowers contractors to build stronger teams with less effort, ensuring every project has the labor needed to succeed. Our platform helps construction companies:

  • Quickly connect with qualified tradespeople and project staff.
  • Reduce the time and cost of hiring with AI-powered resume scoring.
  • Streamline applications through SMS and mobile-first workflows.
  • Automate pre-screening to get the right people on-site faster.

Why Construction Companies Should Rethink Recruitment

The labor shortage in construction isn’t slowing down. Companies that continue relying on outdated, manual hiring practices risk falling behind. Propel People gives construction leaders a smarter, future-focused way to recruit. By adopting tools built for the industry, contractors can secure skilled workers faster, avoid costly delays, and create a better experience for applicants.

Just as Labor Day reminds us to honor workers' past contributions and inspires us to prepare for the future, Propel People allows construction companies to do both: celebrate their teams while ensuring their hiring process is ready for tomorrow’s challenges.

Building the Future of Labor Together

This Labor Day, let’s honor the men and women who build our communities and acknowledge the importance of supporting them with the right tools, resources, and opportunities. Propel People is here to help contractors take the next step in modern recruitment, making labor more efficient, projects more successful, and the future of construction stronger.

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The hidden alignment crisis in construction thumbnail

Why Even Your Best People Struggle: The Hidden Alignment Crisis in Construction

The hidden alignment crisis in construction.

By: Matt Poepsel, PhD
August 7, 2025

In “Why Even Your Best People Struggle: The Hidden Alignment Crisis in Construction,” leadership advisor and professor Dr. Matt Poepsel reveals a surprising truth: the problem isn’t always skill or effort, it’s alignment. Drawing from a personal boot camp story and years of leadership research, Poepsel explains how even top performers can falter when their natural behavioral strengths clash with the priorities they’re tasked to execute.

In this article, Poepsel explores:

  • Why highly capable people struggle when priorities are misaligned with their natural strengths.
    How behavioral mismatches are quietly inflating budgets and delaying projects.
  • The four behavioral orientations in construction leadership (Innovation & Agility, Results & Discipline, Teamwork & Employee Experience, Process & Precision).
  • Warning signs leaders should watch for when style and strategy are out of sync.
  • The ripple effects of misalignment on retention, client relationships, and reputation.
  • Real-world examples of companies and leaders thriving by working in behavioral alignment.
  • Practical steps to diagnose and fix alignment issues using the Team Discovery framework.

The key takeaway? Talent alone isn’t enough. Success depends on ensuring the right people are matched to the right strategic priorities, and in construction, that alignment can mean the difference between delivering a project on time or watching profits vanish.

That’s where Propel People comes in.

The construction industry already battles thin margins, labor shortages, and fast-changing demands. Add misalignment between workers' natural strengths and their responsibilities, and even the best hires can underperform. Propel People helps construction leaders eliminate that risk from day one.

Our intelligent hiring platform doesn’t just fill roles, it ensures you’re building a team with the behavioral strengths to match your business priorities. Whether you need innovation-driven leaders to spearhead a new digital initiative or precision-focused managers to keep costs under control, Propel People helps you identify and hire the right fit faster.

With tools like ProScore, our proprietary resume-ranking engine, mobile-first applications, SMS-based workflows, and smart pre-screening filters, we help you quickly connect with tradespeople and professionals who will excel in the work you need done. That means fewer costly mismatches, stronger project execution, and an engaged, productive, and aligned workforce.

Read Why Even Your Best People Struggle: The Hidden Alignment Crisis in Construction to understand why behavioral alignment is just as important as technical skills, and see how Propel People can help you hire, develop, and retain the right people for the right priorities.

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Hire Faster with Propel People’s SMS Recruiting

Hire Faster with Propel People’s SMS Recruiting

Your best candidates are on job sites, not behind desks checking email.

July 2025

Hire faster with Propel People’s SMS recruiting.

In construction hiring, speed is everything, and texting is how today’s top tradespeople communicate. With Propel People’s text-based application and messaging feature, your HR team can instantly connect with candidates where they’re already active: on their phones. Designed specifically for the construction industry, Propel’s SMS-powered tools simplify communication, increase application completion rates, and eliminate delays that come with outdated email or desktop-based hiring systems.

Why text-based recruiting works for construction.

Your best candidates are on job sites, not behind desks checking email. That’s why Propel’s SMS-based application and outreach tools are engineered to meet tradespeople where they are. With text-to-apply links and instant follow-up messaging, you can create a seamless, mobile-first experience that boosts response rates and helps you move faster on the hires that matter. Benefits of text-based recruiting in construction recruiting include:

  • Instantly engage candidates via SMS
  • Increase application completions with mobile-first workflows
  • Reduce ghosting with quicker, easier communication
  • Support younger candidates who expect fast, text-based interactions

Enabling real-time communication with candidates.

Propel People’s text-based feature enables timely, two-way messaging between recruiters and candidates. HR managers can initiate conversations directly from within the platform, streamlining scheduling, follow-ups, and interview coordination without the lag of traditional communication channels.

By integrating SMS into your recruiting process, Propel ensures more responsive hiring workflows and reduces the likelihood of candidate drop-off or miscommunication.

Accelerating the hiring process with SMS workflows.

Whether you're hiring for HVAC, electrical, or drywall crews, Propel’s mobile-first design keeps hiring aligned with real-world field needs. In a competitive labor market, Propel helps construction teams hire quickly and efficiently, with features such as:

  • Automated responses upon application receipt
  • Immediate follow-up with pre-screened candidates
  • Centralized conversation history for team visibility

Enhancing efficiency with integrated recruiting tools

Propel’s text-messaging capabilities work seamlessly alongside other platform features like ProScore—Resume Scoring and automated pre-screening. Together, they reduce administrative overhead, shorten time to hire, and help HR teams prioritize high-quality candidates.

These integrated tools are especially valuable for lean HR teams hiring at scale. They allow one person to manage multiple open roles with less manual effort.

Purpose-built for the construction workforce.

Unlike traditional applicant tracking systems, Propel People is tailored to the fast-paced, field-driven world of construction. Our mobile-first platform, complete with SMS recruiting tools, supports how subcontractors and self-performing GCs actually hire, on the move, under pressure, and with urgency.

Get started with Propel’s text-based recruiting tools.

Propel People helps HR teams hire smarter and faster by meeting candidates where they are, on their phones. Whether you're looking to reduce time-to-hire or improve communication with mobile-first applicants, Propel People’s SMS tools deliver the responsiveness modern construction teams need.

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Digital Transformation in Construction Starts With Workforce Readiness

Digital Transformation in Construction Starts With Workforce Readiness

Digital transformation in construction starts with workforce readiness.

By: Matt Poepsel, PhD
July 9, 2025

The construction industry is no stranger to transformation, but the current wave of change is unlike anything we’ve seen before. In “Hard Hats & High Tech: A Practical Guide to Building Tomorrow’s Construction Workforce”, leadership strategist Dr. Matt Poepsel highlights how digital tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Building Information Modeling (BIM), drones, and robotics reshape the construction landscape and why workforce strategy must evolve in lockstep.

In this article, Poepsel explores:

  • Why digital change is as much about people as it is about tools
  • How the growing skills gap is reshaping hiring and training demands
  • Generational challenges in attracting and retaining new talent
  • The impact of increasingly complex materials and construction methods
  • Case studies of companies, large and small, succeeding with digital upskilling
  • Practical steps leaders can take to prepare their teams for digital transformation
  • A self-assessment tool to measure your company’s readiness for change

The core insight? The future of construction won’t be defined solely by the technology you adopt, but by your ability to equip people to use it well. Even the most advanced tools won’t deliver results without a clear plan to upskill your workforce.

That’s where Propel People comes in.

Propel People is the intelligent hiring platform designed to help construction companies meet the demands of a digital-first future. As technology transforms job sites, the industry needs workers who can operate advanced equipment, interpret data, and adapt to new tools, without losing sight of craftsmanship and quality.

Propel People gives hiring managers the speed and insight to identify and engage the right candidates. With tools like ProScore, our proprietary resume-ranking engine, mobile-first applications, SMS-based workflows, and smart pre-screening filters, Propel People makes connecting with skilled tradespeople, tech-savvy professionals, and team-ready talent easier.

Whether you’re hiring for the field or the office, Propel People helps you quickly build a digitally capable, high-performing workforce.

Read Hard Hats & High Tech: A Practical Guide to Building Tomorrow’s Construction Workforce to learn how technology and people leadership must go hand in hand, and how Propel People can help you future-proof your hiring strategy.

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The Benefits of AI in Construction Recruitment

The Benefits of AI in Construction Recruitment

The benefits of AI in recruitment for construction hiring teams.

July 8, 2025

Hiring in construction isn’t what it used to be, and that’s a good thing. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), recruiters and hiring managers in the skilled trades finally have tools that match the urgency and complexity of their hiring needs. AI-powered recruitment platforms like Propel People are revolutionizing how growing subcontractors and self-performing general contractors find, evaluate, and hire quality workers, faster and more efficiently than ever before.

Whether battling a shrinking labor pool, sifting through stacks of unqualified applicants, or chasing down job seekers who never respond, AI is built to solve the chaos. For the construction industry, which often lags in tech adoption, AI isn't just a trend; it’s a breakthrough.

How AI solves today’s recruitment challenges.

Construction HR teams are often small but are responsible for hiring hundreds of workers. Traditional hiring tools, spreadsheets, email inboxes, and job boards simply can’t keep up. Here’s how AI tackles the real pain points:

Challenge: Manual screening takes too long and delays hiring.
Solution: Propel People’s AI-powered resume scoring (ProScore) instantly evaluates candidates based on skilled trades data, helping you identify top applicants in seconds, not hours.

Challenge: Candidates ghost or never finish long applications.
Solution: Propel People offers a mobile-first, SMS-based application process that increases engagement and completion rates, ideal for on-the-go tradespeople who don’t have time for clunky forms.

Challenge: Too many job boards, not enough reach.
Solution: With one-click job posting, Propel People distributes your opening across multiple platforms simultaneously, maximizing visibility and helping you reach more qualified workers faster.

Challenge: Underqualified applicants clutter your inbox.
Solution: Automated pre-screening filters out candidates who don’t meet job-specific criteria, saving time and helping you focus only on those who are truly fit for the role.

Challenge: Hiring teams are overworked and understaffed.
Solution: Propel People simplifies and automates recruiting tasks, enabling small HR teams to manage high-volume hiring more efficiently, without sacrificing quality or speed.

Key benefits of AI in construction hiring.

AI isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about better hires, more thoughtful decisions, and faster project delivery. Benefits of AI recruitment in the construction industry include:

Faster time-to-hire.

Propel’s intelligent workflows help you go from job post to job offer in a fraction of the time, cutting delays and keeping your projects on schedule.

Higher quality candidates.

AI-trained on skilled labor data evaluates candidate fit more accurately than keyword-matching tools, helping contractors hire based on real skillsets and experience.

Reduced cost-per-hire.

Better Candidate Experience.
Text-based applications and mobile-friendly forms make it easier for tradespeople to apply, especially those without resumes or access to a computer.

Accelerate skilled trades hiring with Propel People.

Ready to simplify your hiring process with AI that actually works for construction?
If you're dealing with no-shows, application drop-off, or spending hours screening resumes manually, you’re not alone, and you’re not stuck. Propel People is purpose-built for construction teams just like yours. Our AI understands the skilled trades, scores resumes based on real job criteria, and automates your most time-consuming hiring tasks so you can focus on getting the right people on-site, faster.

Whether you’re hiring electricians, HVAC techs, drywallers, or other skilled labor, Propel People gives you the tools to compete with larger firms, without adding complexity or overhead. From mobile-first workflows to SMS-based applications and one-click job posting, we help you meet workers where they are and move fast.

See how Propel People can transform your hiring process, schedule a demo or try ProScore resume scoring today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Propel People different from other ATS platforms?
Propel People is purpose-built for construction teams. It uses trade-specific AI models and offers mobile and SMS-based workflows that align with how field workers operate.

Is Propel People easy to use for smaller teams?
Yes. The platform is designed for speed and simplicity, with intuitive tools that work for HR teams of any size, even if you’re the only person hiring.

Can Propel People help reduce time-to-hire?
Absolutely. By automating resume scoring and screening, Propel dramatically reduces the time from job post to job offer.

Do candidates need a resume to apply?
No. With SMS-based applications and mobile-first forms, Propel People allows candidates to apply without a resume, increasing reach and reducing friction.

Is ProScore customizable?
Yes. ProScore is built to match your job requirements, so it evaluates resumes based on the skills and qualifications that matter most to you.

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Propel People’s Spanish Translation Program: Revolutionizing Construction Hiring.

Propel People’s Spanish Translation Program: Revolutionizing Construction Hiring

Propel People’s Spanish Translation Program:

Revolutionizing Construction Hiring.

June 27, 2025

Language shouldn’t be a barrier to opportunity. Propel People is leading the charge in inclusive recruitment with the launch of its Comprehensive Spanish Translation Platform, a fully integrated, bilingual solution designed specifically for the construction hiring industry. With over 41 million Spanish speakers in the U.S. workforce, this groundbreaking feature removes language friction across the entire hiring journey, giving employers access to a broader talent pool and empowering candidates to apply in the language they are most comfortable with.

Whether it's through career pages, job postings, SMS-based applications, or resume evaluations, Propel People ensures English and Spanish speakers have equal access, support, and clarity throughout the recruitment process.

What Is Propel People’s Spanish Speaking Translation Program?

End-to-End Candidate Journey Translation

  • Spanish-language career pages hosted on unique URLs (e.g., /es/)
  • Automatic translation of the full job that is posted, including job title, description, requirements, benefits, and all.
  • Full application experience in Spanish, including forms, buttons, and confirmations
  • Auto-detection of language preference with persistent user settings

Bilingual SMS-Based Application Experience

  • Text-to-apply support in both English and Spanish
  • Smart language detection and automatic translation of inbound/outbound texts
  • Dual-view interface allows recruiters to toggle between the original and translated messages.
  • Full application flows, job codes, and system updates in the user’s preferred language

AI-Powered Resume Translation & Scoring

  • Resumes uploaded in Spanish are instantly translated for recruiter review
  • Dual-view interface allows recruiters to toggle between the original and translated versions
  • Resume scores remain consistent, with <5% variance in AI evaluation accuracy
  • Language flagging helps streamline internal workflow

Technology That Performs

  • Powered by DeepL's "quality_optimized" engine for human-like fluency
  • Sub-second translation speeds
  • Batch imports and intelligent caching for scalable efficiency

Why This Matters for Employers

Construction HR teams often face language mismatches that slow hiring and limit outreach. With Propel People, hiring Spanish-speaking tradespeople becomes seamless and accurate:

  • Attract and evaluate bilingual candidates with ease
  • No need for extra tools, manual translations, or new workflows
  • Resume quality, formatting, and scoring are preserved
  • Reduce delays and increase conversion with SMS-based applications

Hiring the right talent shouldn’t require a translator. With Propel People, inclusive hiring is built-in, not bolted on.

Why This Matters for Candidates

Spanish-speaking applicants often struggle with English-only job portals, leading to confusion, poor experiences, or missed opportunities. Propel People puts an end to that:

  • Apply in your language, from mobile or desktop
  • No app downloads or logins required
  • Transparent communication builds trust and confidence
  • Dual-language presentation ensures fair review and evaluation

When every candidate feels seen, supported, and understood, they’re more likely to complete applications, accept offers, and stay longer.

The Propel People Advantage

Unlike basic translation plug-ins, Propel People offers the only fully bilingual-first recruiting platform with:

  • Real-time translation for all system touchpoints
  • Language persistence across channels
  • Smart resume scoring that maintains fairness
  • One-click job posting with automatic dual-language support

Propel People meets HR teams where they are, and meets candidates where they’re comfortable. It's not just smarter. It's more human.

Ready to Hire Without Language Barriers?

Spanish-speaking candidates make up a robust and growing part of the skilled workforce. With Propel People’s Spanish Translation Platform, you don’t have to choose between inclusivity and efficiency.

Hire faster, hire smarter, and hire inclusively with Propel People.

Visit propelpeople.com to learn more or contact the team to activate Spanish functionality today.

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7 Ways to Optimize the Construction Hiring Process

7 Ways to Optimize the Construction Hiring Process

7 ways to optimize the construction hiring process.

June 10, 2025

Hiring in construction doesn’t have to break the budget. With the right tools and process, you can attract stronger candidates and reduce costs per hire, without sacrificing speed or quality.

In his LinkedIn article, Dr. Matt Poepsel outlines 7 Ways to Optimize the Construction Hiring Process. It’s a must-read for any contractor or HR leader looking to transform how they recruit in today’s competitive labor market.

1. Write Clear, Detailed Job Descriptions
Avoid mismatched hires by clearly outlining job duties, required skills, and work conditions. Propel People’s job posting templates are tailored for construction roles, helping you write precise descriptions that attract the right talent from the start.

2. Use an Industry-Specific Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
Generic systems don’t cut it. Propel People’s construction-specific ATS includes features like license tracking, field-based communication, and compliance filters—built for the way your crews work.

3. Optimize for Mobile Job Seekers
Most tradespeople apply from their phones. Propel People offers a fully mobile-optimized application experience, reducing friction and boosting completion rates from job seekers on the go.

4. Streamline Applications with Resume Parsing
Tedious forms drive away applicants. With Propel People’s built-in resume parsing, candidates can upload their resumes and instantly pre-fill key fields, speeding up applications and improving candidate flow.

5. Add Pre-Screening Questions to Qualify Candidates
Filter out unqualified applicants early with Propel People’s customizable pre-screening filters. These filters allow you to set automatic questions based on certifications, experience, or job-specific requirements.

6. Use Text Messaging to Keep Applicants Engaged
Don’t let top talent slip through the cracks. Propel People’s SMS-based communication tools let you send instant updates, reminders, and next steps, keeping candidates engaged and drastically reducing ghosting.

7. Create a Standout Candidate Experience
A smooth, transparent process builds trust and boosts offer acceptance. Propel People’s end-to-end experience, from mobile-friendly applications to timely communication, positions your company as organized, responsive, and a great workplace.

These strategies are not merely best practices; they are proven methods for reducing hiring times, minimizing turnover, and fostering high-performing teams. In his companion piece, "The True Cost of Hiring in Construction: Beyond Recruitment Fees," Dr. Poepsel delves into the deeper economic implications of hiring in the industry. He identifies the hidden, margin-draining costs that many firms overlook, including lost productivity and retention challenges, and illustrates how adopting a more innovative and streamlined hiring approach is achievable for organizations.

Optimize the construction hiring process with Propel People today.

Propel People is the intelligent, AI-powered hiring solution designed exclusively for the construction industry. With powerful tools like ProScore, our proprietary resume ranking system, along with SMS-based applications, pre-screening filters, and a mobile-friendly experience, Propel People streamlines your entire recruitment process and helps you hire top candidates faster.

Stop letting delays, turnover, and poor-fit hires slow you down. Whether you're recruiting for field roles, skilled trades, or office support, Propel People gives you the speed, precision, and insight you need to build a high-performing team.

Read The True Cost of Hiring in Construction: Beyond Recruitment Fees to learn more.

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