Thruway and 190 in Western New York, a focus area for the region's record transportation funding.

Why Western New York’s Best Engineers Are Staying Put — and What It’s Costing Them

by Lynn NovoCandidates, Employers, HiringPosted on Comments are Disabled

A record state construction backlog is the strongest retention tool WNY engineering firms have ever had. For the engineers it’s keeping in place, that’s worth a closer look. Every June, the calculus shifts a little. The spring scramble to get projects moving for the construction season has settled into a rhythm. This is the stretch …

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A village main street in Western New York, the kind of local route where more transportation work is now concentrated.

What $73 Million in Withheld Highway Funds Actually Means for Western New York

by Lynn NovoManaging, NewsPosted on Comments are Disabled

On April 16, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced it was withholding $73,502,543 in federal highway funding from New York State over a dispute about how the state’s DMV issued commercial driver’s licenses. Most of the coverage has focused on the political fight between Albany and Washington. That’s not what this post is about. …

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Hiring manager interviewing engineering candidate at an architecture and engineering firm

What FBI Negotiators Can Teach AEC Leaders About Hiring Architects and Engineers

by Lynn NovoEmployers, Hiring, ManagingPosted on Comments are Disabled

In today’s competitive Architecture, Engineering, and Construction fields, attracting top talent goes beyond offering fair pay. It requires understanding what professionals seek in their next job. This article, inspired by FBI negotiation techniques, shows how empathy, smart questioning, and genuine conversations can improve your hiring process. Rather than treating interviews like interrogations, learn the importance of creating collaborative discussions that connect with potential candidates. Discover how to build an environment where top talent feels valued, leading to successful hires and long-term employee retention. Are you ready to enhance your recruiting strategies? Keep reading!

The “Fake Local” Recruiter Trick (And Why It Matters for Western New York Companies)

by Lynn NovoCandidates, Employers, HiringPosted on Comments are Disabled

Searching for an AEC recruiter in Western New York might lead you to firms that look local but aren’t. Many national recruiting companies create city-specific pages designed to rank in Google, even if they have no real presence in Buffalo. In an industry where relationships and regional knowledge matter, that difference can impact hiring outcomes more than many firms realize.

5 Sales Resume Mistakes Costing You Interviews (With Real Examples)

by Lynn NovoUncategorizedPosted on Comments are Disabled

Your resume isn’t just a document—it’s a project proposal where you are the deliverable. As a recruiter reviewing resumes every day, I see the same mistakes that instantly raise red flags and land candidates in the rejection pile. In the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry, your resume needs to prove value quickly and clearly. Here are five common resume mistakes that quietly signal something isn’t adding up—and how to avoid them.

Leadership versus results concept with Buffalo Bills colors - heart and football graphic

Is Being Loved Enough?

by Lynn NovoCandidates, Employers, Managing, NewsPosted on Comments are Disabled

Everyone is talking about Coach Sean McDermott’s termination. I won’t add to the buzz about this topic specifically, but it did make me wonder about the leadership versus results tension we see in business all the time. What about managers who are loved by their teams but aren’t delivering the results ownership needs? In this …

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Cover Letters Are Dead — And That’s Not a Bad Thing

by Lynn NovoCandidates, Interviewing, Resume PrepPosted on Comments are Disabled

There’s been a flurry of discussion lately in the architecture world about whether cover letters are still relevant. Archinect published a thoughtful series that captured a range of perspectives — from those ready to declare the cover letter extinct, to those still clinging to its formalities. Here’s the thing: this cover letter debate misses the …

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What Makes Me Think You’re Lying on Your Resume 

by Lynn NovoCandidates, InterviewingPosted on Comments are Disabled

You’ve probably worked hard to craft your resume. You’ve listed your experience, emphasized your strengths, and positioned yourself to stand out. But here’s the truth: I’ve reviewed enough resumes—particularly in the construction, architecture, and engineering world—to know when something feels off. And when it does, I can’t ignore it. I don’t jump to conclusions. I …

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The Onboarding Mistake That’s CostingYour Company Top Talent (And How to Fix It)

by Lynn NovoEmployers, ManagingPosted on Comments are Disabled

Picture this: Your team just hired a stellar project manager with 12 years of experience. Their resume was flawless, the interviews were inspired, and you’re already imagining them crushing it on your biggest projects.

Fast forward three months—and they’re gone. Sound familiar?

We’re about to explore why technical training without personal connection is a recipe for turnover, what your new hires are really thinking (but not saying), and exactly how to build relationships that make top talent want to stay.

The Resume Red Flags That Make AEC Executives Hit Delete

by Lynn NovoCandidates, Interviewing, Resume PrepPosted on Comments are Disabled

Picture this: You’ve got 15 years of rock-solid experience, a portfolio of $50M+ projects, and references that would make your grandmother proud. Yet somehow, your resume is disappearing into the architecture, engineering, and construction resume black hole. Sound familiar? We’re about to dissect some real resume failures, decode what architecture, engineering, and construction hiring managers actually look for, and hand you a proven playbook for landing those interviews.