search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
    • Century Club
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Legally Speaking
    • Safety Advice
    • Technical Details
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor eNews
    • Techos y Más Advisory Board
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!
ColumnsLow Slope RoofingSteep Slope Roofing

How to Conduct Effective Job Interviews and Hire the Right Roofers

Following a Few Simple Steps Can Help Prevent Big Problems.

recruiting new roofing employees

There’s no question that the continuous flood of government regulations, uncertain economic conditions in general, and the impact of legislation such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) resulted in layoffs and a weak hiring rate for many businesses in the recent past.

September 10, 2018

There’s no question that the continuous flood of government regulations, uncertain economic conditions in general, and the impact of legislation such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) resulted in layoffs and a weak hiring rate for many businesses in the recent past. But, as the economy has shown signs of improvement under the new administration, hiring has begun to expand in many, if not most, industries. If President Donald Trump and members of congress deliver on the promise of faster growth for the economy, it may well be reflected in a tightening labor market. That means that finding and hiring those star employees every company seeks will become even more difficult. In fact, in some areas of the economy, such as building and home construction, it’s already having a significant impact. This column focuses on providing you, as an employer, several effective and simple steps that can be taken to assist you in hiring the best candidates possible as job openings arise.

One of the most important steps in conducting effective interviews is the preparation before the interview is even conducted. Interviews can be a time-intensive process for businesses. If the wrong person is hired, then additional interviews may need to be conducted shortly after the process is completed. Interviews should only be conducted for people that meet the job requirements for your position and appear to be good candidates. These steps that occur before interviews are conducted are just as important as the interview.

Some large Fortune 500 companies have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless hours creating hiring and interview procedures validated as “job-related and consistent with business necessity” by industrial psychologists. Most of those procedures are based on lengthy and detailed job analyses of the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for each position in the operation. They are intended to satisfy the requirements of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Uniform Guidelines on Hiring Procedures, which are designed to prevent discrimination in hiring. The vast majority of employers have neither the financial resources nor the time to adopt such sophisticated programs. However, there are several fundamental elements of the more successful programs that can easily be implemented by employers seeking a better process for conducting job interviews. Those elements include:

Panel Interviews — The numerous benefits of panel interviews over individual interviews include multiple sets of eyes and ears on the applicant at one time, and more objective and consistent observations. They’re also more reliable because panel members are accountable to each other, can provide evidence to respond to claims of discriminatory questions, and, they’re widely recommended by experts and praised by courts as the fairest and most effective means of conducting interviews. A panel of three interviewers is ideal. Some employers even use an additional panel to further screen candidates found acceptable by the first panel. Remember that you may wish to discuss any requirements or necessary qualifications with individuals that are already in the position and work closely with the position to draft questions for the interview panel. They may be aware of tasks or skills that supervisors may miss.

Train the Interviewers — Those managers and supervisors whom comprise the panel or panels should be trained. Not only on the job-related questions that should be asked of all applicants, but — equally important — on questions and topics that could violate various workplace employment regulations. Of particular concern are questions that may impinge on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as any state law protections.

Standard Questions — When each applicant is asked and evaluated on the same set of job-related questions, the process can be defended as both objective and consistent. Consistency is the key to all employment decisions and interviews are no different. It also makes comparison of candidates much easier. For example, if the job concerns someone’s ability to make sales on a given product, then you may ask them mock questions concerning their pitch.

Detailed Notes — Interview notes provide a record of what occurred. They’re quite beneficial in choosing the right candidate after conducting several interviews. Notes can also provide an excellent justification for a hiring decision that is legally challenged later. And interview notes may be clarified, expanded upon and made more useful at any time prior to a legal challenge. Employers should retain copies of interview notes used in the hiring process.

By utilizing these four relatively simple steps in conducting job interviews, you’ll only improve the level of candidates selected, and have a process that can help defend against failure-to-hire claims that are common. You’ll be able to demonstrate that your process is objective and consistently applied in hiring decisions.

KEYWORDS: employee relations recruitment

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Roofing Contractor Group Publisher Jill Bloom

    Physics, the Power of Authenticity and You

    In February's Publisher's Note, Jill Bloom describes a...
    Editor's Note
    By: Jill Bloom
  • The Family Food Fare supermarket in Midland, Mich.

    ‘Rooftop Ninja’ Discovered Living on Roof, Inside Grocery Sign

    A bizarre tale out of Midland, Mich.: a woman dubbed the...
    Roofing News
    By: Bryan Gottlieb
  • A before and after heat measurement comparison

    How Hot is Too Hot in the Attic?

    If the ventilation is working, how hot should the attic...
    Steep Slope Roofing
    By: Paul Scelsi
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • TAMKO Titan XL Shingles
    Sponsored byTAMKO®

    Built for Business: How Titan XT® Shingles Keep Proving Their Value

  • An overhead view of a residential block
    Sponsored byCBIZ CompuData

    From Spreadsheets to Strategy: How Roofing Companies Can Transform Financial Operations

  • Snow Guard Solutions for Metal Roofs by S-5!
    Sponsored byS-5!

    Safeguard Your Building: How Snow Guards Prevent Costly Roof & Property Damage

Popular Stories

The Home Depot is weighing a bid for GMS. The potential offer would pit the retail giant against QXO Inc.

UPDATE: Home Depot Pushes QXO Out of GMS Pursuit

Brad Jacobs, chairman and CEO of QXO, offers $5 billion to acquire GMS, a major distributor of gypsum and interior building products.

QXO Sets Its Sights on GMS in $5 Billion Offer

Undocumented workers make up 36% of the U.S. roofing workforce, leaving contractors and workers alike especially vulnerable.

Roofing is Left Exposed by Trump’s Deportation Flip-Flop

Roofing Contractor Webinar

Events

December 3, 2025

The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.

View All Submit An Event

Related Articles

  • The Right Tool for the Job

    See More
  • MRA 2021 color trends

    Choosing the Right SPF for Homes: How to Beat the Heat This Summer

    See More
  • Technical Details: Service Departments: How to Conduct a Roof Inspection

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • business.png

    How to Succeed With Your Own Construction Business

  • roofingpic.jpg

    Managing the Profitable Construction Business: The Contractor's Guide to Success and Survival Strategies

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • May 22, 2025

    Remote Teams 101: The New Way to Hire

    ON DEMAND: Our industry experts will guide you through what remote hiring and outsourcing should look like, how it can help you grow, and why it’s easier (and less scary) than you might think. If you want to save time, find great talent, and grow your business, this is one session you don’t want to miss!
View AllSubmit An Event
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing