By Jeff Brown, Midwest Regional Manager
Your construction career is important! In order to come across opportunities that add to your professional development, you need to become aware of and follow new construction trends. When you know what course your industry is about to get on, you are able to get ahead of your competition and make a difference as a candidate. Nothing is going to make a hiring manager or a construction recruiter happier than an applicant who is up to speed with change and does their best to stay current. Take a look at the tips below on what steps to take in order to follow new construction trends and lay a strong foundation for success.
Get Guidance from the Experts
One of the most effective ways to follow new construction trends is by working with the people who live and breathe the construction world. Reach out to a reputable construction recruiter and take advantage of their deep knowledge of the industry’s direction. They know how to guide you in staying ahead of the game because they are the first to know when the rules of the game change. Being an advocate who is always looking for the best opportunity for you, they are invested in making sure that you are up to speed and prepared to adjust to transformation.
Go to Networking Events
If you want to find out about recently developed practices, new tools and latest the technologies in the construction industry, then the best place to be is at construction networking events. This is where thought leaders, industry pioneers and other blue-collar professionals meet to share ideas, introduce new practices and talk about change. This is where companies announce new technologies and speak to their vision in the marketplace. This is where you need to be. Attend as many networking events as possible, as they enable you to follow new construction trends and get lined up with your field.
Get the News
Do you prefer getting the news on paper or online? No matter what your answer is, the bottom line is the same. Make sure you get the news! There is no excuse to stay in the dark if you are really hoping to see your construction career move forward. Be careful not to overwhelm yourself with the flow of information you go after. Instead, narrow down your resources to the ones that talk to your specialty and your field. Depending on your comfort zone, search for online or print versions of the news and keep up with it on a regular basis.
Have a Social Media Presence
Do you know that many companies use social media to share important updates about new products and tools that they launch? Do you know that industry leaders share their views through their social media accounts? With that said, how strong is your social media presence? Do you use social media as a means to follow new construction trends and help your construction career grow? If the answer in no, then it is time to take action. Like pages of companies on Facebook, follow influencers on Twitter and join industry groups on LinkedIn to keep a close eye on change.
Stay on Top
All the tips above are great ways to help you stay in touch with the industry and be ready for anything new that crosses your path. The more you are able to do, the better you position yourself. The most important thing though is to be consistent with what you do. If for example, you decide to work with a construction recruiter, make sure to keep open channels of communication with them and to listen to what they have to say. Likewise, ensure that your social media presence is continuous rather than sporadic. In other words, have a plan that you stick to at any given time. The more you put in, the more you get out.
Key Takeaways to Following New Trends in Construction:
1. Work with a construction recruiter and capitalize on their industry experience
2. Attend networking events and take the most out of them
3. Make sure you get the news by narrowing down the resources you go after
4. Have a regular social media presence that allows you to follow up with news
5. Have a plan that you stick to all the time
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
