In this Issue:
Topic of the Month: "Introspection"
Announcing the ConstructionJobs.com Scholarship
NEW Feature!
Ask the Construction Career Doctor!
Article: Your Resume too Cluttered?
This Issue's Cartoon!
Introspection
So you’ve done it. You’ve graduated from the hallowed halls of college.
High school is a distant memory. The college applications to complete, the trips to various college campuses, entrance essays to write - it all seemed so overwhelming, remember?
You probably agonized over which school to attend, weighing the input of friends, family, and teachers. Ultimately, the decision of which school you attended, and what you chose to study once you got there, was up to you. You probably felt daunted by this choice, vacillating under the weight of it, and the ultimate “Big Picture” that your older sibling or other wise counselor kept reminding you of as your eyes bulged and heart rate quickened: this decision would impact the rest of your life!
But you prevailed despite numerous missteps and obstacles. Granted, there were sleepless nights, rewritten papers, and maybe even, heaven forbid, a GPA slightly lower than 4.0.
So here you stand, armed with a diploma that now must transform itself into a successful, challenging, money-earning mode of employment, otherwise known as a JOB.
And if you thought conquering college was a daunting task, how about condensing four (or more?) years of academic rigor into a one-page resume that adequately represents your talents, ambitions, and dreams in a way that makes you irresistible to some mighty company which has never heard of you?
Well, don’t worry. Read on. Just as you conquered that challenge, with some savvy and resolve, you’ll conquer this one as well.
You’re smart, educated, ready to work. So, what’s to conquer? One common and legitimate concern among recent college graduates is expressed this way: “Every company I’m interested in wants at least 5 years of experience! How am I ever going to compete with the seasoned veterans in my field?”
Two suggestions: first, when embarking on a job search, start with a little introspection. Figure out what it is that you’re looking for in a job. You’re starting a career … try to design it so that you’re happy for the next forty years.
Consider, for example, how much hands-on time you’d like to have. Are you a person who gets great fulfillment from working in the field and participating in a project from start to finish? Or are you more comfortable in an office environment, handling the logistics of the project? Also, consider what style of work you’re comfortable with – do you prefer working in collaboration with large or small groups of people? Do you work best independently? What characteristics are you looking for in a supervisor or manager? Once you have a clear idea of what type of work environment you’re looking for, you will be more able to hone in on the types of skills and qualities you possess, and how they will be valuable to the companies to which you are applying.
Answering these questions about yourself can lead you to pursue challenges that you’ll find gratifying to overcome.
Secondly, in your resume, focus on your strengths, because they are a unique and cutting-edge skill set. While you may not have 15 years of experience under your belt, you have spent the last 4 or more years learning all of the latest innovations and techniques in the industry.
Therefore, in your resume, focus on research you did while in school and emphasize internships you participated in. Highlight your proficiency with computer programs that your more seasoned competitors may not be familiar with.
Ultimately, what every employer is looking for is an individual with a strong work ethic, a working knowledge of the industry or trade in which they are employed, and a willingness to learn and adapt to change. While you may not be eligible for a senior level position in the company of your choice right away, that does not rule you out as a potential candidate for another position, and a strong one at that.
Just as you worked to prove to the college of your choosing that you belonged there, and would prove to be an asset to their academic community, so must you convince the employer of your choosing that you will be an asset to their company.
Having done your research on what you want in a job, and what strengths you bring to the table, you will be more than fully prepared to do so. In much the same way as your quest for the right college and the right major, the job searching process is not without its struggles and angst, but with the same integrity and patience that helped you achieve the degree you’ve recently earned, you will find a job that suits both you and your potential employer’s needs.
Article by:
Suzannah Genz
Regional Sales Executive
Construction Jobs, Inc
Announcing the ConstructionJobs.com Scholarship
The Sales Executives at ConstructionJobs.com spend all day every day talking to leaders in the field of construction and the men and women who fill the vital construction roles of project manager, foreman, superintendent, laborer, estimator, and so on. Those discussions have allowed us to understand the growing gap between the demanding positions and careers available in construction on the one hand … and the dwindling number of young people entering the field to accept those positions and become the next generation of ambitious and distinguished builders.
The younger people being drawn into the field are, in fact, of great promise and possessive of the work ethic and skill that has always defined construction in America. But it’s simply that the numbers of young people entering the field is not sufficient to meet the needs that are arising.
With that dilemma in mind, ConstructionJobs.com is very excited to announce the ConstructionJobs.com Scholarship for Students in Construction, a $1000 award which we will present to 10 students a year, 5 per semester. This is a cause to which we are dedicated, and we invite you to take advantage of it!
The Scholarship is up and running, and we have, in fact, already awarded $1000 to five students who are enrolled in school for the Fall 2007 semester in programs such as construction management, civil engineering, and electrical engineering from all around the country: in fact, the first five recipients are enrolled in colleges in Florida, Nebraska, Arizona, Georgia, and New Mexico. Those students were selected from the applications we received at our website, and you can access that application at ConstructionJobs.com or BuildingFutureBuilders.org.
It was quite a thrill to read through the applications we received and select the winners, for they are an impressive cross-section of future leaders and bright minds. We hope the $1000 we contribute to their education will encourage them and perhaps spur others on to apply for future semesters.
Who can apply? We accept scholarship applications from anyone who is in school for a construction-related field and who has is also working in the field or has been working in the field (through internships or past employment). Who can win? Anyone who is bright, eager, hard-working and committed to the proud industry we’re trying to support.
We look forward to seeing your application for the Spring 2008 semester!
Your Resume Too Cluttered?
By Jennifer Anthony, Resume Expert
The most common mistake among many jobseekers is not updating their resume in the correct way. All too frequently, those in search of a new job pull out their most recent resume and simply add details of their latest position.
This easy to fall into habit makes for a very long and boring read for hiring managers. If you don’t edit or delete obsolete information, your resume can very easily become cluttered and long-winded. Here are a few tips that will help keep your potential employer awake and interested while evaluating your qualifications and experiences.
»Read full article
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Happy Searching,
The ConstructionJobs Team
