Rachel Usher’s Post

Good Opportunity

Are you hiring for a renewables role and want to make sure you're getting the best candidate? Reference checks are key, but asking the right questions can make all the difference.⚡️   Start by asking the candidate about work ethic. You want someone who is reliable and can handle the demands of a renewables job. Get specifics: Did they consistently meet deadlines? Were they proactive on taking on tasks?   Next, delve into their technical skills. Renewables roles often require specialised knowledge. Ask if the candidate demonstrated a strong grasp of the tools and processes used in their previous position. Were they quick to learn new skills? Did they show initiative in solving ones technical problem?   Finally, don't forget to ask about punctuality and attendance. A great worker isn't much help if they're not there. Confirm that the candidate was dependable and had a good attendance record.   By asking these questions, you'll get a clearer picture of whether your candidate is the right fit for the role. Happy hiring!🌟 #hiring #renewables #renewableenergy

💡TOP-TALENT TIP THURSDAYS Interested in securing the services of the best SCADA/EMS/ADMS/DERMS professionals in the renewable energy market? I headhunt the most experienced every day and here's some advice to all smart grid technology leaders on how to get them to join your team. TIP - INVEST THE TIME FOR DETAILED BRIEFING CALLS Some of our partners give us full access to their hiring managers and introductory meetings whereby we can understand their requirements. These are INVALUABLE. Often, they indicate how serious they are about hiring and engaging with external partners to find the very best. I've had great meetings with managers who've dedicated 40, 50, or even 60 minutes to go into immense detail! It's allowed me to come away with all the necessary information to deliver exactly what they need. It also gives me confidence in that individual and company about their dedication level to the search. This in turn, motivates me to give them nothing but my best possible service, even if they may not have paid upfront for my time. I compare this to some other companies with strict prohibitive policies that prevent us from engaging with hiring managers. The only information we get is from a 5-minute call with TA/HR, mostly reading off the job description. How much clarity and insight do you think this gives into the actual need? How much confidence and motivation do you think this gives an external partner? If you're a manager working within such a system and are disappointed with the level of recruitment services, I'd strongly consider reviewing it! Investing the time into a detailed initial meeting to kick off a search WILL get you better quality candidates and thus a better hire for your team. GUARANTEED. How much time do you invest right now into new role intake meetings? #hiring #recruiting #renewables #renewableenergy #EMS #SCADA

Is there a fast and easy way to identify which job applicants, particularly for high-risk solar panel installation, are more likely to exhibit undesirable behaviors in the hiring process? Good news: There is. It’s called “integrity testing,” an online behavioral survey assessing honesty, trustworthiness, and dependability—crucial traits for solar panel installers who often work independently and at heights. Placing a test at the start of the hiring process helps you avoid: ✖️ Hiring an applicant who later fails a test, crucial in high-safety jobs. ✖️ Being discriminatory and not applying the test equally. The results we obtained from Safer Hire (one of the integrity testing firms that we recommend) are quite impressive for solar industry employers: ✅ Reduces the frequency and severity of workers’ comp claims. ✅ Increases the quality of employees hired, crucial in technical and high-risk jobs. ✅ Decreases employee turnover. ✅ Especially terminations due to safety violations. → The average return on investment for solar companies is significant!🤑 #Solarcontractors #solar #solarinstallation #solarpower #renewables Milestone Risk Management

💡 There are many benefits of hiring an #interim team member to assist with a project or provide cover during busy periods. Temporary workers bring fresh perspectives, specialised skills, and flexibility, allowing businesses to scale quickly without long-term commitments. 🌟Whether filling a gap during leave or tackling a time-sensitive project, hiring temp staff helps maintain productivity and meet deadlines, all while controlling costs. It’s a smart, agile solution that gives teams the support they need, exactly when they need it. 📞 Reach out to the team West Recruitment Consulting if you need to add any interim cover to your team today or if you are a #candidate looking to secure a new project! #contractors #tempworker #interimcover #workingwithwest

💡TOP-TALENT TIP THURSDAYS Interested in securing the services of the best SCADA/EMS/ADMS/DERMS professionals in the renewable energy market? I headhunt the most experienced every day and here's some advice to all smart grid technology leaders on how to get them to join your team. TIP - HAVE THE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS I just had a candidate turn an offer down and both the Director and I agreed it was a good thing. Why? Because there were some reservations regarding their communication and collaboration. How did we address them? The only way, openly and transparently with the candidate, as early as possible. They initially seemed to react well, but ultimately lacked the professional maturity to do the same. They had their own reservations, but lacked the confidence to address them openly. Instead, they waited until after the process and offer. Even then, they could only communicate their issues sheepishly via email. Anyone lacking the confidence to have challenging conversations, in a constructive manner, is of no real value to an organization, so we agreed we dodged a bullet. This is a learn in how to hire the best talent, because it will also help you avoid hiring the sub-par. Express yourself as transparently as possible throughout the process, ask the tough questions and address any concerns head on. The best talent will respect you more for it, as it indicates a strong and healthy management style. It will also help you weed out the not-so-great. How good are you at addressing any concerns head-on during the process? #hiring #recruiting #renewables #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #EMS #SCADA

Hiring skilled project delivery professionals in the solar and energy storage sector is challenging due to rising demand, technical complexity, and competition for top talent. This blog explores strategies for overcoming these hurdles, including targeting passive candidates, focusing on cultural fit, and partnering with specialized recruitment agencies. By addressing these challenges, EPCs and developers can build strong teams to deliver successful projects. Check out the full blog for insights on hiring in the clean energy sector. https://lnkd.in/enSRkVxV

💡TOP-TALENT TIP THURSDAYS Interested in securing the services of the best SCADA/EMS/ADMS/DERMS professionals in the renewable energy market? I headhunt the most experienced every day and here's some advice to all smart grid technology leaders on how to get them to join your team. TIP - IF YOU HAVE TO CANCEL, DO IT IN TIMLEY MANNOR First impressions are everything in an interview process and having to cancel is never a great one to make. Having said that, everyone understands that sometimes life happens and it's unavoidable. But, there is little to no excuse for doing it last minute. It screams to the other party "I don't respect your time". I had an example of a manager who canceled one minute before the interview was set to begin. The senior SCADA professional had rearranged travel plans to make the interview. Needless to say, they were far from happy. They withdrew from the process and were so disgruntled, they'd never consider interviewing with that company or manager ever again. Now, you might consider that reaction to be a tad short-sighted and over-emotional. But ultimately, it cost the company a chance to hire a very experienced engineer with one of the rarest skill sets in the field. Not to mention, the reputational damage in our very small, highly-competitve sector. All of which could have been easily avoided with more planning and prioritization. In conclusion, if you have to cancel an interview, do it as soon as possible, because it really does matter. How many times have you backed out of an interview meeting on short notice? #hiring #recruiting #renewables #renewableenergy #EMS #SCADA

-Strengthening Our Renewable Energy Workforce: Backfill Support for Site Management Roles   Have a wind or solar farm that needs a temporary manager until you can fill the role with a permanent manager? At Alpha X Energy, we understand that the success of wind and solar farms hinges on effective site management. As we continue to expand our renewable energy projects, we are committed to providing robust backfill support for open site management roles. -Why Backfill Support is Crucial   In the dynamic field of renewable energy, maintaining seamless operations is essential. Backfill support ensures that our projects remain on track, even when key site management positions are temporarily vacant. This approach not only minimizes disruptions but also upholds the high standards of safety, efficiency, and sustainability that we strive for. -Our Approach to Backfill Support 1. Experienced Professionals: We deploy seasoned site managers with extensive experience in wind and solar farm operations to step in as needed. 2. Comprehensive Training: Our backfill team undergoes rigorous training to ensure they are well-versed in the specific requirements and challenges of each site. 3. Seamless Integration: We prioritize smooth transitions by maintaining detailed documentation and clear communication channels. 4. Continuous Improvement: Feedback from our backfill managers is used to refine our processes and enhance overall project management.