Industry | Construction: Overview

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?

Why Should You Use LinkedIn?

If you’re looking to network or are interested in keeping up to date on your professional industry, there’s no better place than LinkedIn.
Here you can find a vast network of professionals like you across any and all industries. Think of it almost as social media for business, with the benefit of affording you new opportunities.
So why should you use it?

Information

First off, if you’re looking to grow in your career, LinkedIn is a great resource.
Stay on top of market trends and new technologies to get ahead of the curve and improve your skills. Build your network of people from your company, industry, or Job Title to get unique insights that may help inspire or educate you.

Build a Personal Brand & Network 

Join in on the conversation! Share knowledge of your own to help others, and build a strong reputation for yourself in the process. You may even get noticed as a result, possibly offering you unique opportunities. All in all, it can be an enriching resource for passive and active career growth.

Seeking work

On the topic of opportunities, your network of connections may expose you to interesting jobs that you would have otherwise not seen.
LinkedIn in particular has a reputation as being one of the best places to find quality professionals when employers are looking to hire. If LinkedIn is where many employers look first, it’s wise to have your profile in the mix.
If you’re actively looking for work, make sure to take the time to fill out your profile with your experience and skills so that you can be discovered passively by companies seeking your expertise.
Browse their Job Board, sporting over 6 million jobs, to get your resume out to the positions you want. You can also activate a setting that shows you are Open to Work, which will display a graphic over your profile image to increase your visibility. This will make it even easier for employers to find you.

Overall, using LinkedIn can change your professional career for the better, in a multitude of ways. Whether you plan to actively engage with the platform, or just make a profile with your information, it can serve to benefit you nonetheless.

How to Prepare for a Job Search

Feeling unfulfilled, bored, or like you’re not progressing in your career as you desire? If you’re ready to make a change in your job, it’s time to prepare yourself. Here’s some steps to take on how to prepare for a job search.

Planning

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Where do you want to go from here?

Take some time to really think about you. What are your goals? If you haven’t planned ahead, now would be a good time to take some personal inventory to make your planning easier. Are you looking for stability, or a more advanced role? Think about your strengths and what you enjoy. Explore what opportunities are a good match for someone with your strengths.

Whatever your aim is, do some research on the qualifications and skills that you need to move yourself in the direction you want to go. If there’s gaps in the experience you need for your goals, map out the steps you need to take to get the experience you need. Whether it’s education, or moving up through different roles, get an idea of what is necessary to achieve your goals. Having this intentional direction to your job search will help in identifying opportunities that fulfill your needs.

Consider internal opportunities

If you don’t mind your employer or the industry you are in, consider possible opportunities within your company.

Look at the roles that exist in your current company for any that you may be interested in. Talk to your supervisor and express an interest in growth or a particular role, and inquire as to what steps you need to take to get on track for acquiring those skills.

If your employer isn’t interested in training on a different role within the company, make sure that you are truly unsatisfied with your work, and if so, time to prepare to look at your other options.

Optimize your resume for your goals

Make sure to highlight your strengths that are geared towards the kinds of jobs you want. You’d be surprised at the employers that find your skillset desirable.

Check out our article on resume writing tips!

Put your resume up on Job Boards

Countless employers are scouring job boards for resumes just like yours at any given moment. Make sure you’re putting your resume on all of them you can find to increase your potential for opportunities.

Here’s some popular job boards:

  • Indeed
  • Monster
  • CareerBuilder
  • ZipRecruiter

And consider creating a profile on Linkedin if you haven’t already, it’s a great networking tool and a good way to be seen in a way that isn’t limited to just your resume.

Conduct your intentional Job Search

Shoot your shot! Now that you have an idea of the direction you want to move in, it’s time to explore your opportunities.

Since you’ve done some research on the types of roles you’re looking for, it should take some stress out of the process. Be dedicated in your search, and your efforts will pay off.

Keep an open mind. There may be positions you may have never thought you could be considered for but are interested in, check it out! Some employers are more than willing to train the right person, even if they may not have directly related experience. Having the right characteristics and aptitude or enthusiasm can influence more than you think.

Be proactive!

While you’re in the process of getting a new job, consider setting aside some time to develop skills independently. Whether it’s your communication skills or a software, continuing to grow will only serve to help you.

Let us help you in your job search! Send us your resume and our team of recruiters may be able to help you find your ideal job.

Want to succeed in your career?

Know Your Strengths and Areas for Growth

To achieve success, having a deep understanding of your capabilities and limitations is crucial. By identifying your strengths and weaknesses, you can focus your efforts more strategically. Regularly assess your professional and personal skills, recognizing areas where you excel and those that could use improvement. This reflection isn’t a one-time exercise; revisit it periodically to stay on track. Don’t shy away from seeking feedback from trusted friends, family, or colleagues. Listening to constructive criticism can provide valuable insights that help you grow.

Invest in Continuous Learning Across Fields

Once you have clarity on your strengths and areas needing development, it’s important to take action. Make a conscious effort to expand your skills and address any gaps. This could mean attending workshops, reading books, or enrolling in classes that push you to develop both professionally and personally. Be open to learning about topics beyond your immediate field, as cross-disciplinary knowledge can boost your overall value and adaptability as an employee.

Maximize Efficiency in Your Work

Effective organization is key to building a successful career. This involves mastering time management, setting clear work objectives, and regularly evaluating your progress. Break down tasks into manageable steps and create systems that help you streamline your workload. Eliminate unnecessary steps where possible, and don’t hesitate to delegate or seek assistance when needed. Observing and learning from highly efficient individuals in your workplace can also provide helpful strategies for managing your own work more effectively.

Cloud-Base Your Career Materials

Cut Your Response Time by Using Cloud Storage for Career Materials

If you find your dream job while browsing on your phone or during a break, having your career materials saved on a zip drive at home can delay your response. To stay agile in your job search, storing your résumé, cover letters, and other documents in the cloud is a more convenient option. It allows you to apply for jobs immediately, no matter where you are.

How to Prepare and Store Your Career Materials

  1. Tailor Your Documents: Tailor your résumé and cover letter for different types of positions you’re interested in. For example, if you’re in public relations, have one version geared toward startups and another for larger, established PR firms. This will save time when applying and allow you to tweak only minor details instead of starting from scratch every time.
  2. Cloud Storage Options: Uploading your documents to cloud storage platforms like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive offers flexibility and ease of access from any device. These platforms allow you to quickly share files with potential employers or attach them to job applications directly.
    • Google Drive: Free and integrated with Gmail, making it easy to attach files to emails directly.
    • Dropbox: Offers file storage and sharing options with seamless collaboration tools.
    • OneDrive: Free with Windows, integrates well with Microsoft Office tools.

    Tip: Ensure your documents are well-organized and named clearly so you can quickly locate the right file for each application.

Benefits of Using the Cloud for Job Applications

  • Accessibility: With your career materials in the cloud, you can apply for a job from anywhere, anytime, as long as you have internet access.
  • Backup: The cloud acts as a backup for your important files, reducing the risk of losing your résumé or cover letters.
  • Easy Updates: Since you can access your documents from any device, updating your résumé or cover letter is quick and easy without needing to transfer files between devices manually.

By leveraging cloud storage, you’ll be able to act quickly when job opportunities arise, ensuring you’re always ready to apply with minimal delays.

How should I optimize my LinkedIn Profile?

Lots of people have LinkedIn accounts, but few of them are as polished or robust as they can be for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes. For starters, replace that picture of you and your dog. It’s cute but not the right type of photo for a professional network. It might be right for another platform, but you’ll probably want to use a more professional headshot for a solid first impression on LinkedIn.

Never leave the summary field blank. Max it out to the 2,000-character limit. This is where you highlight your accomplishments rather than your formal job description. Recruiters want to see what you’ve done so they can decide if you’re a good fit for their client.

Claim the vanity URL that has your name so it looks like “linkedin.com/in/yourname” (here’s how to do that). Since LinkedIn often ranks well in organic search, including your name directly in the URL can also help you rank well. Once you’ve finished giving your LinkedIn a spit-shine, you can add that URL to the bio of your other social media profiles.

Include other places where people can find you online by customizing the website listings in your contact information. Rather than using LinkedIn’s default of “website,” select “other” when you add links to your profile so you can label them with a specific company name or note it’s a writing portfolio, for instance. That can help it stand out when someone views the contact info on your profile.

Your final step in optimizing LinkedIn is deciding how much of your profile you want to make available to the general public. Your public profile can be modified so you limit what people see when they aren’t logged into LinkedIn. There are some upsides to doing that; requiring people to log in before they can see your employment history and accomplishments allows you to see who viewed your profile, unless their own viewing settings are set private. But if you want to make it easy on recruiters (and you do!), make your full profile available to everyone without requiring a login.

Advice for the recent Bellevue Graduates.

Be aggressive. Is there a job you have your heart set on this year? Be more aggressive by applying to the job(s) you really want to thrive in. Reach out to potential employers and properly introduce yourself. Stopping by the company is a great way to make new connections and really highlight your interest in working for a particular niche.

Be practical. Even if your current job is merely another gig to pay the bills, this year remember to be practical. Don’t quit your current gig unless you have another job lined up. There’s no need to make hasty decisions. This year, be practical when it comes to career choices.

Network frequently. You never know who a new person is until you start chatting with them. Whether it’s a passenger on public transportation, someone on their laptop at a coffee shop, or even the person behind you in the checkout line at the grocery store, try to network. Always carry business cards on you at all times and remember to be friendly. Striking up conversations with random people could lead to a job. Try it.

Attend conferences. Conferences are great resources for professionals of all walks of life. There’s so much to learn from keynote speakers and the content you discover at conferences could very well put you in a more professional setting someday. Research affordable conferences in your area or ones within reasonable traveling distances. See if your current employer will cover the registration fees. Do what you can to make an appearance at one or two conferences per year. They’re fantastic networking opportunities, and great for your resume to make you a marketable candidate.

Invest in yourself. This year, make a point to invest in the tools that will improve your career. Whether it’s a new laptop for better functionality, a course to brush up on your networking skills, or a website membership to start your own online presence, try to invest in yourself. Do what you can to improve your professional platform this year.

5 pieces of advice to ignore while searching for jobs in Seattle

Ask for a promotion. 
It’s common to hear that you won’t get a raise or a promotion if you don’t ask for one. But you shouldn’t ask; “not even at your annual review.” Instead, use your actions to show you’re a better leader.
Learn the business inside and out, generate team results that your boss can’t ignore and create the most positive, supportive, entrepreneurial spirit in the company.  Then, when there is a need for a new leader, you will be asked. If you want to be promoted into a leadership role this is the best route.
Keep your resume brief. 

You’ve probably been told to keep your resume to one page.  Your resume reflects why you are best qualified for and deserving of the proposed position. If you’ve had extensive work experience, don’t sacrifice highlighting your skills, talents, and expertise just to cram everything onto one sheet of paper. Your resume should be tailored for the specific job you are applying for, and each job description should emphasize the talents that you have developed and will bring to the proposed role.

A great resume will get you hired. 

It’s vital to focus on using your resume to get an interview. “Your resume doesn’t need to be in chronological order or even include every job you’ve had. Your resume is a marketing tool, use it — along with your phone — to get an interview. A great attitude and interview gets you the job, not the resume. Recognizing the different stages of the hiring process is critical to creating a tool that works well for its intended purpose.”

Send a post-interview thank-you note. 

Instead, send a strategic follow-up letter indicating why you are an excellent candidate,  it should be a response to the asked or un-asked question: why should we hire you?

Follow your passion.

This tip is the most erroneous, many people have multiple passions or might not discover their true passions until later in life, and sometimes these passions are just not viable as a source of income.  The right question would be ‘What kind of life do I want to set up for myself?’”

Linkedin and the Job Recruiter

LinkedIn Groups are an often underutilized tool that can be incredibly effective in a job search. By joining relevant groups, you gain direct access to recruiters and hiring managers, boost your visibility, and build credibility through thoughtful engagement. Here’s a guide on how to make the most of LinkedIn Groups to support your job search.

1. Join the Right Groups

While LinkedIn allows members to join up to 50 groups, most users only belong to a few. If you’re actively searching for a job, consider joining all 50 to maximize exposure. Look for groups related to your profession, industry, target employers, and geographic area, as well as any alumni or networking groups that may help you make meaningful connections. Joining is easy—simply click the “Join” button, and if the group requires approval, your membership request will be reviewed.

2. Engage and Communicate

LinkedIn Groups allow members to connect and message each other directly, even without a first-degree connection. Use this to your advantage by reaching out to recruiters or other professionals in your industry. Participate in group discussions, post relevant comments, and reply to others’ posts. This can showcase your expertise and make you more visible to people who may assist in your job search.

Additionally, the largest LinkedIn job search group, Job Openings, Job Leads and Job Connections, has nearly two million members, including many recruiters. By being active in this group, you increase your chances of catching the attention of recruiters who may be browsing for potential candidates.

3. Meet New Contacts

Groups provide a unique opportunity to “meet” people in your field virtually. Use the “Members” search feature in each group to find individuals with specific job titles or roles at your target companies. Comment thoughtfully on their posts and introduce yourself via private messages when appropriate. This can help you build a network of connections who share your professional interests.

4. Share Your Expertise

Showcase your knowledge by sharing articles, insights, and other valuable content with the group. Posting carefully curated, well-written content helps build your credibility and shows potential employers your communication skills and expertise. Remember that anything you post is visible to group members and, often, on your LinkedIn feed, so be mindful of the quality of your contributions.

5. Research Job Market Trends and Employers

LinkedIn Groups are valuable for more than just networking; they’re also an excellent source of industry information and insights. From job postings to the latest developments in your field, groups offer a variety of updates and news that can keep you informed. Additionally, groups provide insight into potential employers, giving you an insider perspective from current and past employees.

6. Keep Learning

Joining groups relevant to your field lets you stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and skills. Members frequently share new developments, articles, and educational resources, making it easy to continue learning. This ongoing education can help you stay competitive, especially if you’ve been away from the industry or are exploring a new career path.

7. Avoid Common Pitfalls

While LinkedIn Groups offer great benefits, there are some risks to avoid:

  • Manage Post Visibility: Posts in groups may also appear on your public LinkedIn feed. If you’re currently employed, consider adjusting group settings to prevent your job search activity from being visible to your employer.
  • Mind Your Tone and Professionalism: Avoid comments that may come across as unprofessional or overly critical, and always use correct grammar and spelling. These posts are often the first impression others have of your work, so professionalism is essential.
  • Follow Group Rules: Each LinkedIn Group has its own set of rules. Ignoring these can lead to moderation, where all your posts are subject to approval across LinkedIn, a status known as “SWAM” (site-wide automated moderation). Always review and respect each group’s guidelines, which you can access through the “i” icon on the group’s page.

Bottom Line

A fully complete LinkedIn Profile, including a professional headshot, is essential for maximizing your LinkedIn visibility. Engaging actively in LinkedIn Groups helps expand your network, making you more visible to others in search results. By using groups effectively, you’ll build connections and increase your chances of finding the right job opportunity on LinkedIn.