Michael DeSafey | Executive Recruiter and HR Professional
Job Success Tips For Upcoming Engineering And Construction Management Graduates
At the top of that mountain of work you did to earn your degree, you can see a world of possibilities. You may not yet know what you’re capable of but you’ve gained some confidence in your abilities and you’re ready to seek out your first independent job with the title you worked hard to achieve. What skills should you ensure stand out on your resume? What are construction management and engineering employers looking for when they’re choosing someone to hire? There is no guaranteed formula that works for every single employer but there are a few tips that can help you stand out in your field and get the job you hope for.
Exhibit Your Initiative
It’s one thing to say that you’re a “self-starter” but most employers have heard this before from recent graduates. On your resume, make sure that your previous work experience or your experience at college has some point that shows your leadership skills and ability to take initiative. For instance, if you led a successful project or initiated an idea on your own this would be an effective display of your skill as a self-starter. The major point is that saying isn’t enough. You have to prove it!
Stay the Course
An important aspect of the job for construction managers and engineers is to be able to see it through from start to finish. If you’re new to the field, employers won’t yet know that you’re trustworthy in this aspect. Testimonials from previous clients and references from past employers are good ways to show that you are trustworthy but another way you can stand out is to show that you have ideas about the project for its beginning and its end. If you’re hoping to get hired, any project manager or engineer can show how they’ll start a project but if you show how you might finish it and interesting points that you can contribute throughout the project, it is indicative of your intention to stay with the project from inception to completion.
Communication and Flexibility
The logistics have to do with your competency and showing that you can carry out the necessary skills to do the job. Communication is another story. If you’re hoping to stand out with a particular job, find out the details of what the client is looking for. Take a look at previous projects and what you can find out about the current project. Do your best to get to know the client before you ever even meet them for the first time. Check social media, websites, and if possible, visit places that were built by this client. Learn what they’ve done and why so that you have something to say that shows you’ve done your homework. Not only does this show the client that you’re willing to do a little extra but it also shows that you’re serious about working with them. You’ll have to communicate with this client throughout the project and understand its scope in order to be the construction manager or engineer. You can’t do that if you don’t know anything about them and that will become apparent a few minutes into your first conversation with them.
Own Your Mistakes
You might think that any blemish on your resume or in your work history is something that you must stay away from at all costs. But you can make these past mistakes work in your favor by showing how you overcame them. If you can show that you can handle problems when they arise, this is a great way to stand out as a construction manager or engineer. Many candidates will do whatever they can to prove their worth and that’s also important but if you can prove that you know how to smooth out the bumps in the road instead of letting them stop you, then your value will increase. Every person on your project and every circumstance is unique. Clients change their minds and people (including you) make mistakes. Show that you can handle this and make it work for you and you will be unstoppable.
Michael DeSafey is a leading executive recruiter for professionals in the construction, engineering and environmental industries. He is currently the President of Webuild Staffing www.webuildstaffing.com . To learn more about Michael or to follow his blog please visit www.michaeldesafey.com