By Chris Crespo, Resource Manager

Do you have what it takes? How fast are you able to find your next construction job? Have you developed sturdy construction skills that differentiate you from other candidates and put you on the top of the list of construction recruiters and hiring managers? Building companies and contractors are constantly looking for talented tradespeople to address their needs and join their workforce for the long haul. How do you make sure your resume gets their attention? Are you doing your best to grow a construction career that takes you to the next level? The steps below help you build a strong construction skillset.

Make Smart Choices
Are you turning down electrician jobs simply because they are temporary? Do you run away from projects because you don’t want a contract position? In order to build a strong construction skillset, you need to look for positions that add value to your background. You must work on jobs that help you develop your construction skills, even if they are not long-term. Remember that your primary goal is to get as much experience as you can, especially at the early stages of your professional life. Choose opportunities that add quality to your qualifications over positions that offer no room for growth.

Never Stop Learning
The more things you learn during your construction career, the better tradesman you become and the more contractors will want to work with you. No matter how many years you have been a plumber or a carpenter, remember that there is always room to learn more. Treat every construction job and project as an opportunity to improve your construction skills. The moment you walk on the jobsite, do your best to work with and next to senior tradespeople in order to take advantage of their knowledge and build a strong construction skillset. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and be open to feedback that helps you become a better professional.

Stay in Touch
Technology is rapidly changing the construction industry and has a direct impact on the way tradespeople do their jobs. Robotics, drones, 3D printing and virtual reality are transforming the jobsite and improving construction job safety. Are you familiar with the developments shaping your field? How fast are you getting the news? What is your plan to stay current with construction trends? Finding a construction job doesn’t mean that you should cut off yourself from the industry. In order to build a strong construction skillset, you need to stay on top of change and be ready for it.

Don’t Let Your Skills Wear Down
When was the last time you checked on your carpenter certifications or electrician licenses? Do you need to obtain certifications or get additional training? Do you really have to wait for your potential employer to tell you that your construction skills are outdated? Your efforts to build a solid construction career will be fruitless if you don’t maintain a strong construction skillset first. For example, attending training programs and online certificates helps you stay valid and be ready to hit the ground whenever you get a new job.

Ask the Experts
Building a strong construction skillset is not an easy project. You need to make sure that you have the necessary qualifications to land every construction job you are going after, no matter whether it is an electrician job, or a carpenter job, or a plumber job. There are people who can really help work towards meeting your construction career goals. Connect with a construction staffing firm and secure a career advocate. By going down this road, you are going to be introduced to opportunities that improve your construction skills and you are going to work for contractors who offer great potential for career growth. The choice is yours.

Key Takeaways to Do You Have the Construction Skills it Takes?:
1.  Work on jobs that add improve your construction skills
2.  Try to learn new things from every project and position you land
3.  Stay up-to-date with changes in your field
4.  Never stop taking action towards sharpening your skills
5.  Work with a construction staffing firm to meet your construction career

About TradeSource
Founded in 1993, TradeSource is a construction labor solutions firm focused on delivering labor solutions to contractors throughout the United States. By supplying skilled tradespeople – where and when they’re needed – we help contractors grow their companies, without the associated costs and hassles of full-time hires. Likewise, we match qualified employees with rewarding and well-paying job opportunities in the construction industry. www.tradesource.com