Michael DeSafey | Executive Recruiter and HR Professional
Job Success Tips For Upcoming Engineering & Construction…
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
Advice For College Students – Set Up A Plan For Your Career…
College Graduates Ready For Career Search
Advice For College Students – Set Up A Plan For Your Career…
As a recent construction, engineering or environmental sciences graduate looking for a career opportunity upon graduation you may find the employment landscape a very challenging environment.
Employers today are receiving volumes of applications both online and in person for every open position they have within their organization. These are from experienced job seekers, as well as entry level graduates with little experience leaving the competition for jobs quite competitive especially in the construction, engineering and environmental industry. Some of the countries hardest hit industries in this last economic down turn.
As a college student approaching graduation a little planning for the future will go a long way in making sure your job prospects are plentiful upon graduation.
Plan For Your Career:
You have selected your profession and are working towards your degree, but a degree in today’s marketplace is not always enough now. Employers today want a well-rounded employee with experience in the industry, excellent written and verbal communication skills and the drive to work hard and excel.
It is vital to network with your professors, join professional trade organizations, attend seminars, and to volunteer with companies to gain experience and make connections in your chosen industry.
Obtain Internships:
One of the greatest ways to accomplish your goals while in school is through an internship. Don’t wait until the last year of college to do this, but rather begin interning by your junior year, if not earlier. This will allow you to gain the experience you need, make professional contacts, and discover what professional specialties you enjoy working in.
The internship, even if you are not being paid, is the best way to obtain full-time employment upon graduation. Employers retain interns that enjoy learning, are positive, upbeat and work hard. 90% of the time employers will employ the intern on a full-time basis upon graduation; granted they have demonstrated their value during the internship.
If nothing less, you will be exposed to many construction, engineering and environmental projects, professionals, and skills that could not be obtained in a classroom setting. Internships allow you to gain the valuable experience employers are seeking in recent graduates and you will always want to make sure to ask for recommendations from your supervisors upon completion of an internship.
Be Prepared For Your Job Search:
Conducting a job search is a challenging endeavor, especially for a recent graduate who is venturing out to the workforce for the first time.
(1) You must have a professionally written resume outlining your skills, qualifications and experience, as well as recommendation letters from past professors and/or employers.
(2) You must be polished – clean up your act, review your social media accounts and remove unflattering posts, tweets, etc. You should set up a professional LinkedIn profile and make sure you have professional attire (ie, suit, dress, etc.) not just for your interview but for the first few weeks of employment. Additionally make sure you are professionally groomed (ie.hair cut, nails, etc.).
(3) Practice interviewing. Review your resume, practice answering the most common interview questions employers ask, role-play with friends, professors and/or classmates to get comfortable with talking about yourself and answering questions that you may not be accustomed to answering. Make sure to obtain their feedback about your answers to polish you responses.
Additionally, you may want to attend interviewing seminars at your college’s career services department or buy a book or two on how to interview to get a general idea of what to expect in an interview setting.
(4) Research the companies that you may have an interview with before going into the interview. Learn what the company does, their projects, products, industry focus, who is working there, the background of the person you are interviewing with, and anything else that may pertain to the interview or company. It will greatly enhance the interviewer’s perception of you during the interview if you understand the company and ask relevant questions pertaining to the job.
A little planning for your construction, engineering or environmental career will go a long way towards successful employment after graduation.
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