A
Th e
Component Manufacturing dverti$ dverti $ er
Don’t Forget! You Saw it in the
Adverti$$er
April 2024 #16297 Page #82
Will Offshore Designers Work for You? ou’ve likely been inundated with resumes and applications from independent offshore truss designers boasting software proficiency, estimating, takeoff, and design skills. Many highlight their experience with US and Canadian employers, often presenting themselves as part of a team of multiple truss designers. But, will their skills align with your needs? The answer is maybe.
By Thomas McAnally TheJobLine.com
Y
Aside from how offshore candidates could fulfill your professional requirements, let’s address a few factors you need to weigh. First, there are time zones to consider. While offshore candidates in South America might align with or be close to your time zone, those in India or Europe won’t. Some may claim they can adjust to your office hours, but can they sustain that commitment in the long term? Language proficiency and comprehension also pose challenges when dealing with technical professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds. While their English may be proficient, do they truly grasp your requirements? Many of these designers hold degrees in architecture or engineering in their home countries, and have a strong understanding of construction. However, my clients often find significant differences in conceptualization and comprehension of the specifics inherent in most truss design projects. They report spending hours preparing projects for offshore designers, needing to explain details thoroughly and provide comprehensive drawings to address potential issues. Even so, some clients unable to find local talent manage these extra time-consuming steps and consider their offshore options to be viable. Do skills and experience translate effectively? I pondered this last year when contemplating adding an offshore candidate option at The JobLine. Doing some research, I utilized JobLine’s truss design skills evaluation to assess potential candidates. This evaluation measures skills across nine different areas, comparing candidates against thousands we’ve tested over the years.
Continued next page
PHONE: 800-289-5627
Read/Subscribe online at www.componentadvertiser.com
FAX: 800-524-4982