By Rick O’Leary, Resource Manager
Welcome aboard! You’ve made the decision to start a career in the trades and you need to make sure that you pave the way for a successful ride. Before you claim that having the necessary construction skills is enough to get you going, we will argue that advancing in the construction industry needs more than that. It requires a solid plan of action that allows you to take advantage of the unlimited advantages that lie ahead as you move forward. Keep in mind the points below as you build your construction career.
Commit
The more you put in the more you get out. Remember this as you build your construction career. Being the last one to walk on the jobsite, but the first one to take off is not the right way to show how committed you are in your own success. Does the electrical job you work on require you to stay later than usual? Do you have to get on the jobsite earlier than usual? Stay on top of your projects and dedicate the energy it takes to get the job done on time. Managers and superintendents appreciate tradespeople who have the right construction skills and enthusiasm for what they do.
Be a Team Player
You are going to work with many tradespeople throughout your career. Your work is going to depend on them doing their part on time, and their work is going to depend on you meeting deadlines. This calls for open communication and a team spirit. Your construction skills alone won’t get you far if you don’t get along with the people you work with. With that being said, have a positive attitude and help others succeed. Maintain this attitude as you build your construction career, regardless of the roles you hold. This will ensure you become a great leader later on.
Keep Learning
Another point to keep in mind when it comes to a career in the trades is that you should always be open to learning new things. Your solid construction skills get you to work on a jobsite, but this doesn’t mean that there is no room to acquire new skills. From new technology to new tools to different ways of getting things done, absorb as much as you can. Work with more experienced tradespeople and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback and advice. The stronger materials you use to build your construction career, the more durable your career is going to be.
Build Bridges
As you build your construction career, remember that you work in an industry where networking is more than important. Every electrical job, every project you work on, gives you an opportunity to establish new relationships with more tradespeople, both within your trade and in the industry in general. You have to take advantage of this for your own good. The more you work on growing your network the more bridges you build for future employment and the more known you will be in your space. Nothing is more effective for your career growth than nurturing new contacts.
Never Ignore Safety
Staying focused on safety is fundamental in the construction industry. With that being said, hiring managers and construction recruiters are excited to come across tradespeople who take safety seriously and do their best to stay up-to-date with it. As you build your construction career, make it a priority to comply with safety guidelines and standards. For example, not every electrical job is the same, so every time you start one, make sure you are prepared for what you are getting into. Nothing matters more than your personal safety and the safety of the people you work with.
Key Takeaways for What to Keep in Mind as You Build Your Construction Career:
- Take the extra mile and be enthusiastic of what you do
- Have a positive attitude and be a team player
- Always find opportunities to learn new skills
- Keep working on expanding your network of contacts
- Always stay up-to-date with construction safety
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
