During Easter, ride-sharing companies came up in conversation. We chatted about some of the drivers recently and the various vehicles they arrived in that added or subtracted from the experience itself.

Most recently, the best ride my husband and I experienced was when we were picked up by an immaculately detailed white Tesla. In conversation, we learned the driver was from Dubai. He was efficient and careful with our trip—getting us to our destination in record time despite the spring break and heavy weekend traffic. He spoke of his excitement for the new mid- and high-rise construction in South Florida, which we found enjoyable, considering where he is from and his comments on “ninety stories” and “extravagant architecture” being the norm in Dubai.

My daughter shared that she will sometimes select a different driver when booking her ride if she feels the one selected by the app for her might not be the experience she is seeking when it comes to being safe and comfortable.

Later that evening, my Instagram feed had a young lady giving tips on communication when greeting your rideshare driver. I recall that I typically open the door and state the driver’s name in the hope he will say mine back. Although you’re given the car make, model, and tag number, it all happens quickly, and it can be unsafe to head to the back of the car to check the license plate, so I hope that stating their name (and them, mine back) is sufficient.

The Instagram training advised that when you open the car door, you should ask the driver, “Who are you picking up?” They should be able to respond with your name, demonstrating they viewed the assignment on the app. When you ask, “Are you ______ (driver’s name)?” they can just respond yes, and if you quickly get in, you may not appropriately verify.

The conversation advanced to discuss app booking choices, price, and the better chance of getting a nice car and intelligent driver when selecting XL, Premium, or Black with Uber or the equivalent with other ride-sharing services. We all laughed and agreed that the cars were typically better, although the drivers were hit or miss.

The driver last weekend, who showed up in a nice car for our trip home, was “Mr. Negative.” He told us he was given asylum from Russia yet missed his home country, and New York was so much better than Florida. I, believe it or not, kept quiet. Although I wanted to press him on why he doesn’t just go to New York, I knew my answer.

When someone speaks negatively about Florida, I just can’t relate. I chose to move here in 1992, and despite traveling nationally and internationally, I have yet to have another state or country draw my heart to thoughts of future residency there.

How to Find the Right Construction Company for Your Needs

Construction management and the workplace can be compared to ride-sharing companies. Whether you are choosing to contract or employ with a company, taking time to select the right one to meet your needs and finding the one with the right value for your investment is key, yet determining who and what that is comes down to asking the right questions before engaging with them.  Employment prerequisite questions to ask:

What is your interview process and the average time it takes?

Understanding first if the company has a process they follow before bringing on a new hire and second if the time frame to complete the process applies to your current situation develops buy-in to going through the process from both sides and aligns expectations.

Does your company have a starting compensation range set for this position?

Asking the question about compensation prior to moving forward also allows you to determine the structure of the company and whether your compensation history falls within a similar structure. All too often, we hear candidates say that they interviewed with a respective company, but then they lowballed them. We then need to put into perspective, before they meet one of our clients, whether it was a lowball or the person themselves has unrealistic expectations for the role and responsibilities they are seeking in the marketplace.

Who will be involved in the decision-making process to fill this position?

If you can’t meet everyone involved in the hiring process, then full buy-in is typically not achievable by you or the missing party from the company. It always leaves the door open during employment for you or the other candidate to say, “I never met them before we committed.” It is like getting engaged to be married and having adult children or a parent living with you after the marriage who did not meet you before. They occupied the home before you and know the territory better than you. An introduction, at minimum, eliminates risk in the hiring process.

Often, employers and job seekers put more thought into booking a rideshare than investing in and aligning expectations during the interview process. At Florida Construction Connection, we guide companies and individuals in eliminating risk during the hiring process. After all, sometimes, just having someone to remind you that the business or person might look detailed at first sight, but inside the car could be people and processes you just wouldn’t want to ride with for long.

To Time, Money, and Asking the Right Questions Before You Get In,

Suzanne Breistol