Hello, everyone.
This is Enta.
Haven't you been seeing a lot of ads from construction companies on Instagram lately?
"Here's the kind of work we do!" "Here are the people I work with!" "Our young employees are really making their mark!"
It's all sparkly, isn't it? lol
But don't be fooled by this.
If you're thinking about changing jobs or are currently looking for a job, please wait a moment.
Why Do People Fall for These "Glamorous" Companies on Social Media?
Social media is a place where people only share the positive aspects of their lives.
This is only natural for human beings; everyone wants to hide their flaws.
Got it? All the flaws are completely hidden!
That’s exactly why it’s risky to “decide to change jobs based only on the positives.”
Recently, even in the construction industry, general contractors have been making full use of Instagram for recruitment purposes.
Some places go to great lengths, such as hiring professional photographers to take photos or editing videos.
To be honest, when I see it, I really think, “What a great company,” I really do.
To be honest, if you only read the Buchake Entertainment blog, I think there are probably at least a few people who’d think, “That’s a great company” (I hope there are a lot of them, lol).
But once you actually get into it, it’ll probably be pretty standard, though there are bound to be some challenging parts and some parts that make you go, “Huh?”
I may write about fieldwork, but I hardly ever go out to the field myself! (The staff handles everything, lol.)
When you hear from people who have actually joined the company,"It was completely different." "I quit right away."I hear that kind of story all the time.
The gap is just too big. It's way too sparkly!
This is something that happens in every industry, not just the construction industry, but I feel it’s particularly noticeable in the civil engineering sector.
Characteristics of Companies That Tend to Put Out a "Glamorous" Image
I can't say for sure, but many construction companies that are actively using social mediaSmall and Micro BusinessesThat's it.
Why?
Major companies don't need to go out of their way to post job openings on social media—people will apply on their own. They're well-known, after all.
But since small and micro businesses aren't well-known, they won't attract customers unless they present themselves in a positive light on social media.
This makes sense from a strategic perspective.
However, the question is whether “the substance is there.”
I wouldn't say a company is bad just because it's a small or micro-sized business.
There are plenty of small businesses out there that are willing to take the time to nurture their customers properly.
I don't really know much about it, lol
The problem is,A company where there is an unusually large gap between what’s posted on social media and the realityThat's it.
Instagram is so glamorous, yet,
– Once I started working there, I found I could hardly ever take paid time off.
– No overtime pay
– A workplace culture where yelling is the norm
– The turnover rate is abnormally high
– I’m no longer an employee; I’ve become a self-employed contractor.
– I haven’t heard anything positive from subcontractors
– There are few suppliers of materials
– There’s this super-annoying office veteran among the administrative staff
– The safety meeting is getting out of hand
– They won't enroll me in social insurance
– The year-end party is a pay-as-you-go event
– There are a lot of penalties
– Even though it’s trying to create a cozy, homey atmosphere...
– Even though all the employees are working on something together, everyone’s attention is...
– Being roped into the company's charity event over the weekend (unpaid)
Companies like this actually exist.
Checkpoints to Help You Avoid Being Scammed
So, how can you tell the difference?
Here are a few practical tips.
① Carefully review the details of the job posting
Overtime hours, paid time off usage rates, retirement benefit plans, and whether social insurance is provided. This information is often included in job postings.
If it isn't written down, you need to ask yourself, "Why isn't it written down?"
② Check to see if job openings are always available
Whether a company is willing to pay well—as clearly stated in job listings on sites like Hello Work and Indeed—is one indicator to consider.
③ Be sure to check review sites
Try searching for “Company Name + Reviews” or “Company Name + Reputation.” You may find genuine feedback from current and former employees on OpenWork or Google Reviews.
④ Don't hesitate to ask questions during the interview
Turnover rate, average tenure, and the reality of overtime. Try asking about these during your interview. A reputable company will answer these questions straightforwardly. Be wary of companies that dodge these questions.
⑤ Nothing but construction photos
There are companies that only post construction photos—they say they post photos because they can’t put it into words. That suggests they might not be good with paperwork, so they’re probably a truly hands-on company.
⑥ Are you making sure to convey your message clearly in writing?
Could a company that uses nothing but visual effects—making its content hard to read—actually be one that prioritizes appearance? It’s better when the message you want to convey is clearly written, isn’t it?
⑦ How many followers do you have?
It might just be a self-indulgent corporate website. If you think it’s enough just to serve your own company’s interests, there’s a high chance few people will actually visit it. Since only our own employees look at it, it has a cozy, homey feel to it, lol.
So, what kind of company is a good fit?
To be honest, companies whose social media presence is low-key often have more solid operations on the ground.
If I were to list the characteristics of a good company, they would be something like this.
– Salary, overtime, and days off are clearly stated
– Be able to explain the career path after joining the company
– There are several long-tenured employees
– There are a lot of foreign nationals, such as interns
– The return rate for foreign nationals is low
– Good companies aren't flashy to begin with.
– I don't use Instagram or anything (which is kind of crazy, lol).
– They make sure to convey their message clearly in writing on social media
– No unnecessary effects
– It doesn't say things like "It's a fun place to work!" or "It has a cozy, family-like atmosphere!"
To put it simply and clearly, “How many technical interns are there at most, and how many of them have advanced to foreman-level positions?”
The reason for this is that foreign workers (such as technical interns and Specific Skilled Workers) are extremely selective when it comes to the quality of the company and the salary!
If the working conditions are poor, I’ll either return home or find a new job; I won’t renew my contract, and the same goes for my salary.
It's easier to understand than Japanese, isn't it?
Let's consider an example.
Let's say three technical interns arrive every year and return home after three years.
Let's assume that of those three students, two will advance to their fourth year and one will return to their home country.
If 9 people join over 3 years and 1 person leaves after 3 years, what is the percentage?
- 9 people entered the country
- 6 players remain (approx. 66.71 TP3T)
- 3 people returned home (approx. 33.31 TP3T)
That’s how it works.
Foreign Workers'Companies with a retention rate of 60% or higherThis means that, in a sense, it is a well-balanced company.
Furthermore, the fact that a company employs technical interns indicates that it has the will to expand with an eye toward the future.
Of course, part of the reason is to address the labor shortage, but it also shows that the company is eager to hire people.
There's nothing wrong with social media being all glitz and glamour.
I also think it’s a good thing that they’re focusing on recruitment and are proactive about sharing information.
However,Social media is just the starting pointThat's it.
It's really risky to decide on a new job based on that alone.
The construction industry, in particular, is one where there are many things you won’t understand until you actually start working there.
The culture on-site, relationships with craftsmen, the power dynamics with the general contractor, and a commitment to the quality of materials.
None of this shows up on social media.
To all job seekers: Be discerning in your choices.
See you later.
