Mistakes That Taught Valuable Lessons

Like any growing company, Cardinal has made its share of recruiting mistakes — and learned from them. One of the biggest was waiting too long to make hiring decisions. In today’s competitive market, a slow process means missing opportunities.

Another misstep was occasionally “pausing” recruiting during busy or fully staffed periods. The fact is, recruiting must be an ongoing process. Having a talent bench — one that is ready to step in when needed — is critical to sustainable growth.

Five Takeaways for High-Performance Recruiting

Based on our experience, here are five tips to help other High-Performance HVAC™ contractors improve their recruiting results:

  • Leverage Employee Referrals – Your team knows who a good fit would be. Give them a reason to bring great people in
    Act Quickly – Good technicians don’t stay on the market for long. Be first, be decisive
  • Be Transparent — Candidates always appreciate clear expectations when it comes to pay, hours, benefits, and advancement
  • Promote Career Growth — Show recruits how they can advance and grow within your company
    Show Off Your Culture – Let prospects see your shop, your people, and your processes. Let them feel what it’s like to be part of your team.

The Importance of a Dedicated Recruiter

While not every company has the resources for a full-time recruiter, at Cardinal, we felt we needed someone dedicated to talent acquisition. Whether it’s the owner, a manager, or an external firm, there must be someone accountable for building the team.
I only wish I had hired a recruiter earlier. Cardinal could have grown even faster. Today, recruiting serves not only as a support function, but also as a core component of company strategy.

For companies that can’t afford an in-house recruiter, third-party services can help. These firms can source, screen, and send you qualified candidates.

Final Thoughts

By combining internal training, transparent messaging, personal engagement, and a culture-first mindset, Cardinal Heating is addressing the technician shortage on its terms. In doing so, we’re creating not only a stronger business, but a blueprint for other High-Performance HVAC contractors to follow.

At our company, recruiting and training are not just HR functions — they’re strategic imperatives.

By growing talent from within, investing in continuous training, and fostering a culture of respect and opportunity, we are not only building a workforce — we believe we are helping to develop the future of the HVAC industry.

Keith Ouimette is the Director of Operations, and Brandon Mayers is the HR Compliance & Talent Specialist at Cardinal Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric, based in Sun Prairie, WI. The company conducts most of its training in-house but is also a strong proponent of National Comfort Institute’s High-Performance HVAC™ training. If you have questions or want to learn more about Cardinal’s approach to recruiting and training, go to ncilink.com/ContactMe.

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