How Contractors Can Finally Hire (and Keep) the Right People in 2025
- Construction Champions Podcast
- Aug 21
- 2 min read
Hiring in construction is broken and it’s costing you more than just time.
In this episode of the Construction Champions Podcast, host Ron Nussbaum sits down with Mike Matalone, founder of XP3 Talent, to talk about why most contractors keep making the same hiring mistakes and how to finally build a team that sticks.
If you’re tired of ghosted interviews, toxic culture, or employees who don’t care, Mike brings the clarity, strategy, and leadership mindset needed to change the game.
This episode is not just another “hiring tips” conversation. It’s a full-on reset for contractors ready to attract the right people, lead with values, and build the culture their business deserves.
Why Construction Hiring Fails
It’s easy to blame “the labor market” or “nobody wants to work”, but according to Mike, the deeper issue is how most construction companies hire in the first place.
They chase resumes instead of values.
They react to turnover instead of planning ahead.
They build the company for today, instead of the company people will want to work for tomorrow.
And it shows. Mike reveals how contractors are often their own worst enemy when it comes to creating toxic environments and unclear expectations.
The Culture Problem Most Contractors Ignore
Let’s be real: You don’t have a hiring problem. You have a culture problem.
Mike breaks it down, if your team doesn’t feel seen, heard, or aligned, it doesn’t matter how many “help wanted” ads you run.
Culture isn’t free lunches or swag, it’s leadership. It's clarity. It's knowing your company’s core values and actually living them every day, from the jobsite to the back office.
Want better hires? Start by being a better leader.
Hiring That Actually Works
Mike doesn’t just point out what’s broken, he shows you how to fix it:
Define core values that matter and communicate them from day one
Structure interviews to test alignment, not just skills
Train leaders to lead, not just manage
Create systems that make great people want to stay
He shares powerful stories of contractors who went from high turnover to high retention just by shifting their mindset and processes.
Leadership Starts With You
One of the most powerful takeaways from this episode?
The leader you are is the culture you get.
If you’re sloppy, disconnected, or burned out, your team will be too.
But if you lead with purpose, clarity, and consistency, you will attract and keep the kind of people who elevate your entire business.
Mike doesn’t sugarcoat it. The labor shortage is real, but the opportunity is even bigger for those willing to step up as true leaders.
Guest Info
Mike Matalone
XP3 Talent
BuilderComs the communication system built for construction.
Tired of chaos, missed calls, and frustrated clients?
BuilderComs replaces emails, texts, and Slack with one centralized hub, built by contractors, for contractors.
Build better communication. Build a better business.
Watch today!
How Contractors Can Finally Hire (and Keep) the Right People in 2025
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