By Justin Nelson, Resource Manager

When it comes to your construction career, remember that what you do today can improve all your tomorrows. The road to success is going to be bumpy unless you carefully pave your path. The construction industry provides great room for professional growth, and all that you need to do is grasp the opportunities that lie ahead of you. Are you prepared to be successful? Are you simply applying to every construction job you see or are you going for the ones that develop your construction skills? How current are you with the construction industry? Have you thought of turning to the experts for help? Since we know what it takes to build a strong construction career, we have provided some hints below to help you get there.

Develop Your Own Framework
You want to build a strong construction career, but how are you going to do it? What milestones do you need to reach and what is your plan to get there? What do you need to do to develop the construction skills that differentiate you from others? How do you intend to stay connected with the industry? Do you distinguish between the construction job that tests your skillset and the ones that have nothing new to offer? Do you want to climb the professional ladder at the company you work for? It is important to develop your own career framework that sets goals and establishes timelines for your success.

Focus on Your Trade
The employment choices you make have an impact on your overall career. With that said, you need to focus on your trade and select opportunities that help you build a strong construction career. The labor shortage that the construction industry is facing has led many construction firms to develop apprenticeships and training programs to help them attract and retain new employees. Work for companies that offer such programs and enroll in local apprentice programs and learning programs that allow you to improve your construction skills and add value to your professional experience.

Put Your Skills to the Test
Construction firms, hiring managers and contractors are constantly looking for well-rounded professionals with solid construction skills to become part of their operations. In order to grow the skillset that enables you to build a strong construction career, you need to take on jobs that challenge your qualifications and make you better. Avoid the easy projects that don’t showcase your craftsmanship, and go for the ones that test your skills. Remember that the more you learn from each construction job, the closer you get to your career success. Stay focused on becoming more proficient and qualified every day.

Don’t Lose Touch
The number one mistake to avoid as you are working hard to build a strong construction career is failure to follow the evolution of the construction industry. Technology has literally brought tremendous change to the industry. Different codes, new technical aspects, additional safety guidelines and new equipment are being introduced on a weekly basis, changing the landscape within which tradespeople do their job. Staying in line with this transformation is key in making a difference and staying ahead of your competition. The more you portray yourself as a master of your field, the more you facilitate your advancement.

Turn to the Experts
Being part of the construction industry, you know that the success of a project depends on the teamwork and the collaboration of the different people involved. They work together to deliver the best results. With that said, there is no reason not to make your career success a team effort. Reach out to a construction recruiter and let them help you build a strong construction career. They are going to make sure that you become a well-rounded professional and you don’t do the same thing all over again. They want you to learn different things with every construction job that they bring to you. Take advantage of the client relationships and the established network of contacts that a construction recruiter brings to the table, and let them help you grow your career.

Key Takeaways to Paving the Path of Your Construction Career:
1.  Develop a plan that speaks to how you are going to build a strong construction career
2.  Work for organizations that offer training and apprenticeships
3.  Select projects that put your construction skills to the test
4.  Stay in touch with the construction industry
5.  Work with a construction recruiter to build a strong 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