Industry | Construction: What Kinds of Jobs are in the Construction Industry?

Welcome, this is the first post in the Industry Overview Series!

I’m excited to give you a bit of insight into an industry that you may be unfamiliar with. Hopefully this will help to open your mind to the different kinds of opportunities available to you that you may not have considered.

This first entry is about the Construction Industry.

The construction industry is often thought of as a sector that primarily involves hard labor and physically building structures. However, the industry is much more diverse and offers a wide range of roles that cater to different skills and interests. From project management to design and engineering, sales and business development to quality control and safety, there is a role for everyone in the construction industry.

The goal of the industry is to create functional and aesthetically pleasing structures that meet the needs of the community and clients. Whether you are just starting your career or looking for a change, the construction industry offers exciting opportunities for those looking to make an impact in the built environment.

There are various roles that one might find in the construction industry, and they can be broadly grouped into several categories:

 

  • Project management:

    These roles involve overseeing all aspects of a construction project, from planning and design to completion. They are responsible for the coordination of all aspects of the project, including scheduling, budgeting and resource allocation.

  • Design and Engineering:

    These roles involve the technical aspects of construction, such as designing, engineering and creating blueprints of the structure, while also ensuring that it meets all necessary codes and regulations.

  • Skilled labor:

    These roles involve physically building the structure, such as carpenters, electricians, plumbers, masons and so on. These tradespeople use their skills and knowledge to construct the building according to the plans and specifications.

  • Sales and Business Development:

    These roles involve finding and securing new business, such as sales representatives, and business development professionals. They work to generate leads and close deals for the company. A sales related role in this industry that might appeal to creatives would be a marketing representative.

  • Quality Control and Safety:

    These roles involve ensuring that the structure is built according to code and safety regulations, as well as ensuring that quality standards are met throughout the construction process.

  • Customer service and client management:

    These roles involve maintaining the relationship with the client and ensuring that their needs are met, such as site managers and customer service representatives.

Each role in the construction industry plays an essential part in the success of a project.

Project management roles ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget, while design and engineering roles ensure that the structure is designed and built according to code and safety regulations. Skilled labor is responsible for physically building the structure, sales and business development roles bring in new business, and customer service and client management roles maintain the relationship with the client.

Together, these roles form the backbone of the construction industry, working together to create functional and aesthetically pleasing structures that meet the needs of the community and clients.

In conclusion, the construction industry is a vital sector that plays a crucial role in the development of our built environment. The industry offers a wide range of roles that cater to different skills and interests, from project management and design to skilled labor and customer service.

Whether you’re just starting your career or looking for a change, the construction industry offers exciting opportunities for those looking to make an impact in the built environment. With a variety of roles available, there is a place for everyone in the construction industry, and it is worth exploring the different options available to find the right fit for you.

If this article sparked your interest, check out our currently available jobs in the Construction industry!

If you liked this article, stay tuned for more in this series. I am conducting a similar series on Job Types as well, giving examples of what a particular job type’s role might be across different industries. As time goes on, we’ll move on from overviews and transition into more specific information of interest.

(Our first entry in the Job Types series was on Sales. Give it a read!)

 

Job Type | Sales: Is a Career in Sales Right for You?

Hi everyone, I’ve decided to make a little informative series on the various Job Types and Industries, for those that may be curious about what a different career or field could be like. We’ll start with overview type posts, and add more specific focused articles to the series gradually. First up in this series, one of the job types that has the highest demand. I’m here to share the general basics of Sales.

Sales Careers: An Overview for the Uninitiated

Sales is a vital function of virtually every business, as it involves the process of promoting and selling products or services to customers. Sales professionals are responsible for building relationships with potential and current customers, identifying their needs, and persuading them to make a purchase.

Sales jobs can be found in a wide range of industries, from retail and consumer goods, business-to-business (B2B) sales, custom engineering, and technology. The specific duties and responsibilities of a salesperson may vary depending on the type of product or service being sold and the target market.

A salesperson is responsible for promoting and selling products or services to customers. This can include identifying potential customers, creating sales pitches and presentations, negotiating prices, and closing sales. The specific job functions and responsibilities of a salesperson may vary depending on the type of products or services they are selling and the industry in which they are working. However, some common tasks that a salesperson may be responsible for include:

  • Identifying potential customers through market research and outreach efforts
  • Creating and delivering sales pitches and presentations to potential customers
  • Responding to customer inquiries and providing information about products or services
  • Negotiating prices and terms of sales with customers
  • Closing sales and ensuring customer satisfaction
  • Keeping track of sales and customer interactions using sales software or CRM tools
  • Providing feedback to management on market trends and potential new products or services
  • Attending industry events and conferences to stay up-to-date on industry developments and build professional relationships.

There are two main types of sales roles: inside sales and outside sales. Inside sales professionals typically work in an office or call center environment, making sales over the phone or through other forms of electronic communication. Outside sales professionals, on the other hand, are responsible for meeting with clients and prospects in person, either at their place of business or in the field. Depending on the specifics of the company and product, there may also be possibilities for remote roles as a salesperson.

How much do salespeople make?

The pay of a salesperson can vary greatly; depending on experience, products sold, the industry, and on how much of the product or service is sold by the salesperson. There is a very real potential for big earnings for those willing to put in the effort.

Salespeople often receive a commission as part of their compensation. A commission is a percentage of the sales that a salesperson makes. For example, if a salesperson has a 10% commission rate and they make a sale worth $100, they will earn $10 in commission. Commissions are often used as an incentive for salespeople to sell more, as the more they sell, the more they will earn in commission.

Some companies pay their salespeople a salary in addition to a commission, while others rely solely on commissions to compensate their salespeople. Commission rates can vary widely depending on the industry, the type of product or service being sold, and the experience and skill level of the salesperson.

What qualities lead to success in sales?

To be successful in sales, it is important to possess a number of key skills and personal qualities. These include excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to build and maintain relationships, problem-solving and negotiation skills, and a strong work ethic. Sales professionals should also be confident and self-motivated, with the ability to handle rejection and setbacks.

For those who are interested in a career in sales but may not possess all of these skills naturally, there are ways to develop and improve upon them. One way is to seek out sales-related training and education opportunities, such as courses or certifications.

These days, there is also a wealth of information online from professionals willing to share their experience and tips on websites like YouTube that you can use to supplement the gaps in your knowledge. It can also be helpful to seek out mentors or role models in the sales industry, and to practice and refine your skills through role-playing and other exercises.

How can I find a job in sales?

There’s always demand for salespeople. A quick search on Indeed for “sales representative” yielded 268,578 results in the United States, and over 4,000 results within 100 miles. There may be different options elsewhere though, so be sure to check out resources like LinkedIn, Facebook, ZipRecruiter and more. (while you’re here, why not take a look at our current Sales jobs?)

To get a sales job, it is important to have a strong resume that highlights your relevant skills and experience. Identify your strengths and accomplishments that suggest an ability to perform well in sales, and be sure this information is intentionally focused on in your resume. Networking and building relationships with professionals in the industry can also be helpful in finding job opportunities as well as to get some company specific insights.

Many sales positions require a bachelor’s degree, although some may only require a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers are willing to forego an education requirement if you already have applicable experience.

Overall, sales is a diverse and dynamic field that offers a range of career opportunities across a variety of industries. To succeed in sales, it is important to possess a range of skills and personal qualities, and to be willing to continually develop and improve upon them. With hard work and dedication, anyone can build a rewarding career in sales.

If you liked this article, stay tuned for information on other industries and job types!

In the future, I’ll dive into more specifics on what a sales job may look like within different industries and specialties.

If a career in Sales interests you, take a moment to check out the Sales jobs we have currently available.

Using References in your Bellevue Job Application Process

Your job references are important in confirming the skills, motivation and attitudes included in your resume and demonstrated during your interview. Ideally, your referee is someone you have reported to in a professional capacity.

Choose a job reference who can confirm

  • Your employment and responsibilities
  • Your strengths and possible areas for development
  • The type of people you work well with
  • The management style that suits you best
  • Your ability to work unsupervised and as part of a team
  • Your capacity to take direction, and most important
  • Your suitability for the role you are seeking

Job reference tips

  • Always have your job reference’s permission before giving their contact details to a prospective employer. Your referee should never be caught off guard by an unexpected phone call, as this can work against you.
  • Make sure your referees know about the role you have applied for so they can focus on your relevant skills and strengths.
  • It’s good practice to contact your referees after the interview and let them know how it went. This way they can emphasise your key strengths or skills relevant to the job.
  • Every time you change employers, make an effort to ask for a reference from your manager or co-worker. This enables you to create a file of recommendations from people who you may not be in contact with in the future.
  • Keep your job references up to date and let them know where your job search stands. This keeps them on guard and be better prepared for a potential call. When you become employed, send a thank you note to anyone who provided you with a reference.
  • Keep your business network up to date, LinkedIn is a great way to do this. Maintain continual contact with your references and if you feel it’s appropriate ask them to write you a reference that you can post to your LinkedIn profile too.

Want to climb the career ladder?

Take initiative.

Today’s career requirements are highly developed and require much more than someone who won’t take risks. In today’s competitive career landscape, employers are looking for individuals who can bring fresh ideas to the table and take initiative, start new projects, pitch new solutions and create new opportunities for the business.

Be your own evaluator.

One of the best ways to achieve career success is to keep assessing your performance. Don’t wait for your annual appraisal – do it yourself. An ideal way to do this would be to identify quantifiable goals and set a timeline for achieving them. Start with setting short-term goals when you’re new to a job. Create a detailed plan to achieve these goals. Break the tasks down into weekly or even daily tasks and fill out a small form at the end of the week to assess where you’re headed and whether you need to change your strategy. You can even show your own performance report to your managers at some point to show how you’ve progressed. This will show that you understand the importance of constant self-evaluation and improvement.

Be ready to learn.

To excel in your career, you have to be willing to learn. No matter what university you graduated from or what grades you had, professional life will be very different from college. Be prepared to have a million questions pop up every day regarding what you’re doing. It might take you days to get a hang of your duties at your new job, so show management that you are coachable, paying attention and always willing to learn new things.

Anticipate needs.

To succeed in your new job and achieve career success, you will have to be well aware of what your manager needs. Stay a step ahead of your boss by asking yourself, “If I were my boss, what would I want done next?” By making sure you get things efficiently done in time, and take the initiative to do them yourself, you will be showing a positive, go-getter attitude to higher management.

Weekend Motivation for job seekers in Bellevue

Persistence beats resistance.

Keep yourself motivated. Create a vision board if you need to, read inspiring quotes on your morning commute. Do whatever you need to, to keep going. Professionals have trudge through the valley to reach their mountain-top moment — you’re no exception. When things get hard, don’t cave under pressure. Use your struggles as an opportunity to learn and grow professionally. Try not to complain. It will only bring down both your morale as well as the other members of your team.

Diversify your skill set.

It’s good to master your usual set of skills, but don’t get stagnant. Continue to develop your love of learning. If your job has tuition reimbursement perks, take advantage of it! Set out to learn a new skill. If you’re worried about time, it’s not about becoming a full-time student all over again. Take a couple courses at a time, earn some new certifications — become a wearer of many hats. It will set yourself apart professionally and who knows? It may help place you on the fast-track to your next promotion.

Find out what you like doing best, and get someone to pay you for it.

Money. We all need it to survive. However, there’s a fine line between needing money and becoming obsessive over it. The more passionate you are about what you do, the faster success will follow you. It may not happen in the time frame you expect it to, but the more you focus on strengthening and edifying yourself as a leader in your specialty, the more likely the success of your work will follow. And as a bonus, you’ll enjoy waking up for work every day!