Candidate Newsletter - January 2008

In this Issue:

Topic of the Month: "With Both Feet Firmly on the Floor "
Hot Searches
Ask the Construction Career Doctor!
Article: Knowing What You Want in Your Next Job
This Issue's Cartoon!

Topic of the Month: With Both Feet Firmly on the Floor

Maybe it’s the symbolism of the first day of a new year. Maybe it’s the natural tendency to reflect on our lives that comes at the end of the old year. Maybe it’s the ten pounds we put on eating Grandma’s lemon meringue pie and those plates of nachos we consumed while watching football over the holidays.

But whatever spurs people into action, after the New Year we at ConstructionJobs.com are typically flooded with resumes of curious, serious or simply fed-up job seekers, ready for an occupational adventure. As with some New Year’s resolutions which are cast aside quickly, some of this spirit of adventure passes and those professionals settle back into their jobs. But many look with serious intent into the possibilities that exist for a new career direction, and my intent is to encourage you if you seek a change this year.

New relationships are built from the first impression, and in our online world, that first impression is very likely going to be a hiring authority’s glance at your resume. Therefore, as an on-line job seeker, so much hinges on the personality, professionalism, experience and honesty that shows through your resume.

Appearance is everything; a good candidate can be overlooked simply because he or she didn’t review a resumes and clean it up before uploading it onto the ConstructionJobs.com site. It takes a few minutes to make sure everything is precise and written for impact, and that investment pays off.

Focus on your accomplishments; what did you do that made money, saved money, saved time? Be specific. Specificity applies to your inclusion of dates, as well. A lack of dates – when you worked for Company A, when you finished Project B, is a certain red flag for any hiring authority; lengthy explanations of job changes and employment gaps also raise concerns, so make your employment record clear and simple. Focus on your strengths, let your hard work show, and be honest.

The next step, after your sparkling resume forces a hiring authority to want to call you, is usually a phone interview. Many times I observed my mentor, Frank, while he was conducting interviews. He’d close the door, lean way back in his chair, kick his feet up, and relax. The person on the other end of the line always had his undivided attention and could sense that. Clients and candidates alike felt comfortable and reassured. The relationship that takes your career where you want to go really starts with this conversation.

Have a copy of your resume in front of you so you can answer questions about projects or employment history confidently and accurately.

Be prepared to ask the hiring authority good, concrete questions: “what is your role in the company?” “How long have you been there?” “What is the company’s projected growth for the next few years?” “How would someone in my position help the company achieve these goals?” Everyone likes to talk about their achievements. If you ask questions that lead possible future associates to discuss their successes, they’ll leave the conversation with a good feeling.

Most importantly, keep your responses short and positive. Never complain about past employers and, again, be honest.

Always have the next step planned before ending the conversation. “When should we talk again?” “Do you need anything else from me?” “When can I come in to meet you in person?” Be sure to follow through in a timely manner with any requests from your potential employer.

All of the above is true for the face to face interview. Be confident and relaxed, but, remember, don’t kick your feet up!

Article by:
Emily Cross
Regional Account Executive, Rocky Mountain Region
ConstructionJobs.com

Hot Searches

This weekend I had a few minutes to scan the Internet, looking for some news about my beloved and still unbeaten Kansas Jayhawks basketball team and other random things. One website proclaimed that its hot searches were for “American Idol,” “Sub-Prime Mortgage Crunch,” “John McCain,” “Cloverfield,” and something called “Brangelina.” A pleasant hour passed as I read speculation as to how the Giants could knock off the Patriots and which movies and actors might take home the big Oscars.

I even took a minute to visit a website that’s dear to my heart, ConstructionJobs.com., a company where I am the Sales Manager.

We here at ConstructionJobs.com know you don’t visit our website for the same reason you visit other sites. You don’t visit ConstructionJobs.com to play. And we can’t tell you how to win hands of Texas Hold ‘Em or who’s gonna come out ahead on Super Tuesday.

But what we do is provide a comprehensive, up-to-date, and ever-growing roster of excellent job opportunities for candidates who are building a career in construction. We work with some of the strongest contractors in the country and are able to present their most immediate needs to you.

Sure, the internet has “hot searches” and millions of fun diversions to look at. But we know that when you come to ConstructionJobs.com, you are not there to browse or entertain yourself. Looking for the next position in the construction industry that will challenge you and enhance your career is serious work, and we take our role in that seriously, too.

We will continue to expand the job listings that we offer you and remain your best, most accessible source for the searches that matter most.

Alan Kershen
Sales Manager
ConstructionJobs.com

Article: Knowing What You Want in Your Next Job

Question – “When have you been most motivated?”

This question is more than an interview question; it is a question that you should be asking yourself before the interview. When have you been most satisfied in your work? When did you feel like you were making a difference or making a contribution? Basically, it’s about knowing what you want. » Read Full Article

ConstructionJobs has helped thousands of job seekers all across America find employment. Our award-winning job board and resume database is endorsed by various top national associations (see Partners) as their preferred partner of online recruiting representing over 50,000 contractors and design firms. For more information or assistance with your account, please email us at: info@constructionjobs.com.

Happy Searching,
The ConstructionJobs Team