Working in the Construction Industry How to Carve Your Career - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

Working in the Construction Industry How to Carve Your Career The growing number of highway systems and buildings is causing a high demand for construction workers. These people build commercial buildings, houses, roads and bridges. They are the backbone of the construction industry and commonly called “labourers”. Which Construction Job Fits You? If you are interested in construction jobs, you must first determine the type of job you’d like to do. There are several positions that require varying amounts of work and experience. For instance, being a construction labourer requires the least training. They do common tasks such as clearing debris, digging drenches and loading materials. Because very little formal training is required, the pay is relatively lower than other skilled construction workers. Skilled construction workers do tasks that require rigorous training such as masonry, carpentry, HVAC work and electrical work. If you are aiming for a supervisory position such as foreman or site supervisor, you must have the experience and skills necessary for the position. Apply for these types of jobs only if you have the required education and prior construction experience. If you are looking into managing a construction project, you may also apply to be part of the project management team that manages the schedule, budget and workflow of the construction. This type of job typically requires a bachelor’s degree and experience. Training and Education Construction jobs are best filled by people with relevant skills, education, training and experience. If you are an aspiring construction labourer, look for trade schools or local community colleges offering short courses that focus on construction safety and other related subjects. Seek additional training to make yourself a more appealing candidate. Consider getting an apprenticeship or associate’s degree (2-year program) in a particular trade if you want to be a skilled worker. Accumulate experience as a labourer or skilled worker if you want to be a site supervisor or foreman. Taking a course in management from a community college or university may also help. Here’s how to apply for a construction job: Create a resume detailing your education and experience. Include the jobs you’ve hadâ€"even those not related to construction. List down at least three references. Look in the classifieds of a local paper or check with your state employment agency to look for companies offering construction jobs. The internet is fast becoming the main source of jobs. Many construction firms post their job openings in their websites and online job boards. Check out the websites of construction companies in your area to know about their latest job openings. If you do get invited for an interview, convince the interviewer that you have a genuine desire to succeed. Associate your answers with real-life construction experience knowledge. If you can, get a non-construction job in a construction firm. Once you hear of opportunities, start working your way to the construction industry. If you are still in college, start looking for work experience as early as you can. The more experience you have, the better career opportunities you will have.

Come see me in NYC thrice this month-ish! - When I Grow Up

Come see me in NYC thrice this month-ish! - When I Grow Up As a former actor, I knew that Id eventually make the transition to more steady speaking gigs. I loved being up there at  SXSWi, the first  Etsy Success Symposium, and  The World Domination Summit. With the exception of speaking at a private event at  Macauley Honors College  this March, theres been a lull with the whole getting-up-on-stage thing for over a year. Well, there aint a lull no more.  You got not one, not two, but three opportunities to see my speak/sing/panel it up in NYC over the next 3 weeks.  And then a chance to hit the beach with me next April for an amazeballs conference. Im stoked. Here are the deets. On Tuesday, September 17th at 7pm, Ill be part of a panel on work/life balance presented by  Freelancers Union.  The Freelancers Union! This feels like the big time, guys. Im still pinching myself to be involved in this way. Its gonna be a fab conversation, so come  join us  to learn some tips, tricks and techniques to prevent some head explosions. In November of 2011, I was diagnosed with boob cancer at the age of 33. Because Im a weirdo, I took to my pink ukulele, Lucille, and broke the news on the Interwebs with an original titty ditty. And another. And another. On September 20th at 8pm, Ill combine boob cancer tunes with show tunes and raffles in a one-woman show to raise money for my Avon Walk for Breast Cancer team.  Get all the details including how to reserve your ticket  right here. Im a presenter at the next Reboot Workshop on October 1st  alongside the co-founder of reddit, a TED speaker and app developer, the Executive Director of the largest Meetup group in the world. Talk about The Big Time, you guys! Im nervous/excited about it in the best of ways, and cant wait for my half-hour to speak on Tapping Into Your Inner Child. And yes, my pink uke Lucille will most likely make an appearance.  Get your early bird tickets  here, and save an extra $5 with the code speakerdiscount  (only 20 tix with that code available, so if its not working it means all those tickets are gone). Aaaaaand just in case youre planning your 2014 trips/retreats/vacations,  Ill be a presenter at  Craftcation  in Ventura, CA this April!  Tickets arent on sale quite yet, but you can learn more and stay in-the-know by checking out  the site  and/or signing up for their newsletter. I mean, their  speakers list  is amazeballs, you guys. And there you have it! Planning on coming out to any? Any of em you wish you could come to? Anything in particular you want me to speak about? Let me know in the comments!

Awards Section in a Resume - A Popular Choice For Promotional Companies

Awards Section in a Resume - A Popular Choice For Promotional CompaniesSince so many people are using the online resume service, one of the options that they can consider is to use the awards section in their resume. This will help your resume stand out from the rest of the competitors and it will show how much you are looking forward to working with your new employer.Your resume should contain everything that is expected in the resumes of the job. The awards section will not only show that you are serious about getting a new job but also how you can better fit into the company's culture. If you are applying for a job at a company that does not have awards section for the employee's, then this might be a good reason to go ahead and include them in your resume.There are different companies who offer the employee to submit their accomplishments as part of the cover letter and the resume. By including the achievement, the more effective it will be in selling the employer to the hiring m anager. Most of the people who are going to put their name at the top of the list of employees are the ones who are the most dedicated. So, if you want to make sure that you can secure a good and decent job, the only way is to give your best to the company.Employees are not only looking for salary but also a flexible work schedule. In most of the companies, the company motto is to hire the best and ensure that the most of the talented employees get an opportunity to shine. This is what makes the best job and how they can compete with the companies who hire and fire hundreds of people daily. So, if you are willing to work hard, then you are already a keeper.Giving an employee is a reward for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the company. They know that the best companies are the ones who treat their employees well and maintain a good relationship with them. This will really help in the long run and it shows that you are proud of your work.The day of celebrations for the e mployees is often the same day on which Valentine's Day is celebrated. It is common for a company to give a gift to its employees that usually includes a television, a stereo, a movie ticket or a gift certificate for a restaurant for the employees. There are many gifts available to the employees and it is the choice of the employees to choose the one that they feel will be the best for them. On the other hand, an employee may choose the gift that will be best for the company and show them how much they are appreciated.When an employee applies for a job, the employer would be very anxious to see how the applicant is. The hiring manager would like to see the work ethic and dedication to the company. He/she would also like to see if the applicant can work well under pressure. Also, the potential employee must also prove that he/she is capable to work well in a professional environment.

9 Ways to Write an Irresistible Email Subject Line That Will Always Get a Response

9 Ways to Write an Irresistible Email Subject Line That Will Always Get a Response A boring email subject line might mean that your email will never be read. “You do have to grab enough attention with the subject line to make it worth your reader’s time,” Marc Cenedella, CEO of Ladders, told Business Insider. You might already know to avoid writing your emails in all caps or otherwise sounding like spam. But, what should you include instead? Business Insider asked experts to understand the key components of any email subject line â€" whether you’re emailing a coworker or a potential mentor. Here’s what they told us to include: A verb If you’re getting a request from a potential connection to get lunch, you’re more likely to be interested in “Let’s grab Thai food” than “Networking lunch request.” Begin your subject lines with a verb rather than a bland summary of your request. “Subject lines that begin with action verbs tend to be a lot more enticing, and your emails could be drastically more clickable by adding a vibrant verb at the beginning,” suggests HubSpot. “Your subject line should always state exactly what you want as a way to grab attention,” career coach Judge Graham told Business Insider. Tags Dmitri Leonov, cofounder of email assistant tool SaneBox, suggested adding tags like [Time Sensitive], [Urgent], or [Action Item] at the beginning of your subject so your recipient knows just what the message entails â€" and how urgent it is to reply. As a caveat, don’t tag all your emails with these, especially if you don’t know the person you’re messaging. The 13th “urgent” email that week about, say, the office’s new dishwasher brand is going to be ignored. NNTO or EOM NNTO means “no need to open,” while EOM means “end of message.” If you just need to send a quick, casual update to your team or a connection, Leonov said this tag is a great addition to a email subject line. Just write what’s important in the subject and leave it at that. Some workplaces might prefer to send this sort of note over a messaging app, like Slack, instead of fill up people’s inboxes. But if your workplace is email-reliant, this might be a useful tip for you. Numbers There’s a reason why magazines, newspapers, and online outlets love publishing lists (like this one!). The human brain typically memorizes and learns information through categorizing it in lists. And a list-based email subject establishes from the beginning what the reader can expect to understand as a result of reading your message. These sorts of subjects “provide enough eye-catching micro-details to make recipients take notice, draw interest and send a response,” Graham said. A shared connection People are more likely to help you out if you’re from the same hometown, went to the same university, or have some other shared connection. As a bonus, your knowledge of their background shows that you put in the effort to research them â€" you’re not just messaging them out of the blue. A compliment on their work Cenedella highlighted this tactic as one of the most effective if you’re emailing someone out of the blue. “The article, the talk, the video, the new product blog post â€"something about this person, company, or team caught your eye,” Cenedella said. “If you can make an authentic connection to their work, your email will be more powerful.” The other person’s name As Dale Carnegie famously said, “There is nothing sweeter than the sound of one’s own name.” You probably know that saying a person’s name while talking to them is a good way to get them to like you more. Not surprisingly, using a person’s first name in an email increases the likelihood of them opening the message, according to marketing software platform HubSpot. A date Noting a deadline or date in the subject line is a good way to encourage the email’s recipient to open your email right away, instead of ignoring it for a few days. “Include an incentive or other gentle pressure to get them to reply,” Leonov said. Key words Leonov said it’s important to make sure your email can be quickly picked up when your colleague is searching for the note in a few days or weeks. “Making the subject specific and descriptive will make it easier to find later,” Leonov said. This article originally appeared in BusinessInsider.com.

3 Oddball Interview Questions And How To Answer Them - Work It Daily

3 Oddball Interview Questions And How To Answer Them - Work It Daily Sometimes, you’re in a job interview and out of left field comes a question so bizarre that you have no idea how it could possibly apply to this job. Why do interviewers ask oddball interview questions? Almost always, it’s because they are trying to get at your true personality. They’re trying to surprise you into an answer that comes straight from the heart, because you haven’t (and couldn’t have) prepared or practiced for it. Related: 9 Great Ways To Answer A ‘Stupid’ Interview Question If you get asked an oddball question, remember that it’s OK for you to stop and think a moment about your answer (not too long, but a moment). Don’t pop off with something that could end up hurting your chances at the job. Here are three oddball interview questions with some ideas for how to answer them: If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? Here is the Most Important Rule about any ‘what would you be’ question: Always choose QUALITIES about the thing (whatever it is) that apply to you and your fit for this job. Do not answer it by naming things that you like about it (i.e. “I would be an apple tree because apples are my favorite fruit.”) It’s always a good idea, as part of your interview prep, to think about what qualities you have that would be good for someone in this job. If you’ve done that, it may be easier than you think to come up with an answer to a personality question like this on the fly. What trees are ‘good’ trees? The oak tree is a tried-and-true answerâ€"it’s strong and doesn’t bend in the wind (otherwise known as pressure from others). On the other hand, a palm tree could be a great answer because it’s so flexible it can stand up to hurricanes. If ‘productive’ is an adjective that applies to you, you could choose a fruit tree or a sugar maple tree (it produces maple syrup). Trees NOT to choose: Cottonwood trees tend to be a nuisance because they release a lot of floating ‘cotton’ structures that carry seeds, so that may not be a wise choice. Neither is a sad, weak Weeping Willow. (I personally love both of those trees, but rememberâ€"it’s not the tree, it’s the quality the tree represents.) If you were an animal, what animal would you be? Always keep cultural perceptions in mind when you answer this question. For instance, some people think of cats as independent, but others see them as lazy and standoffish. Animals with better PR are usually ones like: Horses (strong, smart, and able to work alone or on a team) Eagles (soar above other birds, able to see the big picture) Elephants (strong, intelligent, loyal, unstoppable) Monkeys (quick learners, agile, help others) How many basketballs could you fit into a limousine? This is more of a brainteaser question, designed to get you to demonstrate how you think and solve problems. This kind of question takes many forms: How would you move a mountain 1 foot over? What would you do if an airplane landed in our parking lot? Whatever the question is, here’s what to do: Start thinking through the answer out loud. They want to see how you think. Reason it out. Use a pen and paper to solve it if you need to (a productive person uses the resources necessary to solve a problem). Say something like, “Well, a basketball is about one cubic foot, so I would find out the average cubic feet of the inside of a limousine and I’d have my answer.” If they’d filled the limousine with marbles or tennis balls or jelly beans, you could say, “I could get a one foot cube, fill it with jelly beans, count those, and multiply that by the average cubic feet of a limousine.” You don’t have to arrive at an exact right answer to deliver a good answer (I bet they don’t know how many basketballs you could fit into a limousine, either). Remember, you may not get asked these exact questions. The goal is to help you think about how to think about these kinds of questions so that you know what to do if you are surprised by one in the interview. Get the best answers to 101 job interview questions and crush your interview! Best of luck. Related Posts How To Manage Without Being Mean (Is It Possible To Not Be Pushy?) 5 Things To Consider Before You Take That Management Job #1 Key To Becoming An Effective Leader About the author Career Coach - Peggy McKee is an expert resource and a dedicated advocate for job seekers. Known as the Sales Recruiter from Career Confidential, her years of experience as a nationally-known recruiter for sales and marketing jobs give her a unique perspective and advantage in developing the tools and strategies that help job seekers stand head and shoulders above the competition. Peggy has been named #1 on the list of the Top 25 Most Influential Online Recruiters by HR Examiner, and has been quoted in articles from CNN, CAP TODAY, Yahoo! HotJobs, and the Denver Examiner. Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here. Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

Curious about Workplace Culture Ask These 7 Questions

Curious about Workplace Culture Ask These 7 Questions With a deep exhale of relief and excited anticipation, you open up your calendar to schedule a new event. You landed an interview for that job youve been eyeingBut before you get to the interview, youll want to learn some more about the company culture.What is company culture?We all know by now that one platzset of company characteristics that is integral to employees overall professional experience is workplace culture. The culture of a workplace encompasses every menschlich interaction, from the most basic exchange of pleasantries while pouring a cup of coffee to the most complex execution of the companys mission, as well as values, office environment, policies and additional elements unique to the organization.Why is company culture important?Company culture is important because it can make or break your happiness at work. If you dont love your colleagues, your setup, your work-life balance or something else, youre not going to feel good in your job and thats not only going to take a toll on your performance, but its also going to negatively affect your mental health.What questions should you have about the company culture?You should ask some major questions in your head and do your homework to answer them (reach out to current employees, research job mainboards for reviews on the company, etc.) before going to your interview so you know what to expect. But also be sure to ask them during your interview so that you can confirm what the company culture is like.Here are seven questions you shouldnt forget to ask.1. Whats the office environment like?If youre someone who thrives in a team setting, you likely prefer open areas that promote group brainstorming, idea sharing and collaboration between coworkers. If youre more of an introvert who performs best alone, or if your position handles confidential material, youll want private sections that allow for undisturbed work.2. What benefits will I have that set the company fremdlndisch in the industry?Though you may initially focus on the job description and questions related to your responsibilities within that position, dont forget to ask about benefits. And I dont mean just health benefits. Does the company negotiate flexible work arrangements? Do they offer family-planning benefits?Companies that have devoted time and finances to assembling packages that truly meet the needs of every type of employee they might hire prove it has a vested interest in how much it values the personal lives of its employees.3. In what ways has the company bent over backward to support its employees in their work or personal life?Many of us enter interviews mentally committed to agreeing to any terms in order to seem like a team player and to be remembered as a totally on board candidate even if it means making sacrifices.Although certain rigid job requirements may be feasible for you in the present, dont completely disregard your future self and assume y our priorities wont evolve.You certainly cant predict or perfectly plan how your life will unfold, so its important to understand how a company is amenable to adapting with you.4. What will be expected of me in the first 60 days on the job?Accepting a new position doesnt immediately assimilate you into the fabric of that company. When you show up on your first day, you are an employee, of course, but youre not yet accustomed to the various idiosyncrasies that define the organization. It will take time to acclimate with any new job, but not every company will handle that transition period the same way.What will those first two months look like?5. What do the employees typically do for lunch each day?The lunch routine may seem like a trivial detail that you wouldnt dare mention in an interview, but such simple fundamentals of the everyday human experience are actually cornerstones of a companys culture. Whether monies are allocated for frequent business lunch outings, casual gathering s are organized in a common area to discuss work matters while munching what you packed from home, or individual contributors eat at their desks, finding out the specifics of your teams tendencies will give you an idea of what kind of behavior to expect and how you would fit in.6. What is done at the department level and company-wide to build the team dynamic?Though lunch rituals are usually an effective litmus test for team relations, your interviewer may not know these more personal details about your team in particular. In this case, and in general, you should inquire about the efforts of higher-ups to foster positive connections between team members.Does management ensure that teams have favorable meeting conditions for project work, including adequate space, sufficient time together and reliable resources? Does the company at large host morale-boosting events, perhaps that are social in nature and includefriendly competition,incentivesor off-site recreation? 7. What professiona l development opportunities will I have in this role?A company assumes that you have taken measures to advance your skills while working in your current and previous jobs. In fact, theyll probably be hesitant to hire you if your career has remained stagnant over the years. Knowing these expectations, find out how the company will help you to develop professionally during your time there.Do they provide funding for furthering your education through a postgraduate degree program? Will they sponsor conferences or training for your position or department specifically? --Hi, there Im Allie Hofer, an HR professional and work-life balance enthusiast. More officially, Im a Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Society of Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), and Recruiter Academy Certified Recruiter (RACR). After having my first child, I opted out of the traditional office setting to work from home. Since then, I have been consulting with organizations in the public and private sectors to support the Human Resources function in recruiting, compensation, training and development, and performance management. I started sekretariat Hours to offer a boutique HR solution for small and medium-sized businesses and to help candidates navigate and completely own their career paths.

A Review of Writing a General Objective for Resume

A Review of Writing a General Objective for Resume Despite the fact that the overall manager resume sample doesnt incorporate an education section most individuals are going to want to add one to their very own applications. In case the applicant has two individual sets of skills in at least two kinds of industry, separate resumes that highlight different skills are made to suit each type. Strong soft abilities and voreingestellt motivation may give you an advantage over candidates with similar hard skills. At the beginning of several application processes, resumes are the 1 medium of communication involving you and a recruiter. Know what is necessary to be a stand-out candidate. The fantastic thing about your objective is that it may be tailored especially to suit the position you are searching for and force you to appear to be a top candidate for the job. So, career objectives can be anything they want to make certain you are the perfect candidate. As a result, while you r resume objective should incorporate information on the career which you want, you also need to spell out why you are the perfect candidate for the job. An objective must be personally-tailored to the employer. Ultimately, stating it is optional, but it can help convince employers that you know what you want and are familiar with the industry. Your objective ought to have a positive impact on the organization, employer and yourself. Your career objective will permit the employer to understand whether they ought to consider your resume. A resume summary might be more powerful than a resume objective. The use of the purpose is to state your objective. The New Fuss About Writing a General Objective for Resume As stated previously have to choose skills that have some relevance to the job which youre applying for. When youre asking for work, your very first purpose is to let employers know your abilities and talents align with the demands of their open position. My aim is to find the job. The absolute most efficient objective is one which is tailored to the job youre applying for. Resume objectives can be a little controversial. A resume objective can explain why youre qualified for the job, even should you not own a lot of related experience. Entry-level objectives can be particularly hard to write as you likely dont have loads of work experience, but you do want to solidify how you know the sort of career youre searching for. A summary statement is among the simplest strategies to custom tailor your resume to fit the requirements of a specific role, without needing to rewrite all the content. Possessing a brief statement or overview at the start of your resume is a good way to demonstrate your abilities and experience and show the hiring manager the value which you will bring to the position. Make certain you compose a career objective that youre have applied. The very best career objective is to make certain that you know what job you can do. Writing a winning college student career objective is a rather effortless approach to bolster your application for this internship or job youve got in sight. The Little-Known Secrets to Writing a General Objective for Resume Make certain its tailored to not merely the position, but the geschftliches miteinander too. To begin with, consider the work description to see whether it indicates the kind of skills the provider is seeking. There was a time every time a proper Resume meant a review of the academic achievements. It is crucial to go through company specific Resume.