How to Become a Construction Supervisor
Construction supervisor careers are desirable among job seekers because they offer stability, great compensation and excellent opportunities for further advancement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the construction field will grow by 10 percent between now and 2016, which means that there are sure to be more advancement opportunities available.
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Things You'll Need
- Resume
- Four to eight years of construction experience
- Five hours or more per week to devote to the job search
- Appropriate license(s) and/or designation(s), (where applicable).
Instructions
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Check with your state's licensing board to see if a construction license is required in your state. If necessary, obtain the appropriate licensing for your specific specialty in the construction field. It may also be beneficial for you to obtain one or more designations in your field, as hiring managers are usually impressed when applicants have taken the initiative to complete further study.
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Complete the necessary experience requirements by investing four to eight years of your time into a career as a general construction laborer. While working as a general construction laborer, attempt to secure a position as a shift safety inspector or as a union liaison. These positions require knowledge of the liability issues that can exist on construction sites and will provide you with keen insight on the inner-workings of the labor management process. Volunteering as a union liaison will help you to develop in-depth knowledge of how unions operate, which could come in handy as a construction supervisor.
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Prepare your resume. Be sure to include information about your LEED certification if it applies and about any leadership positions you may have held in your labor union. If you are not a member of a labor union, highlight your knowledge about unions and how they operate---this will strengthen your resume. If possible, include a short list of any equipment you may be certified to use or train others on. Last, but not least, mention any Buildsafe, NIOSH, and/or OSHA knowledge and training that may apply to your professional background.
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Start your job search by submitting your resume to websites like Career Builder, Monster, and Indeed.com. Employers will review your application and may contact you if your skills meet their specifications. You should also use these websites to actively search for positions. Submit your resume when you find a listing that interests you. Continue your job search by responding to job advertisements in local and regional newspapers as well as trade magazines.
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Register with three or more staffing companies (also known as temporary services) in your region. These companies are known to have positions available that are not widely advertised. Registering with them will help you to network and may help you to land a permanent position. If a temporary construction supervisor's position is offered, consider taking it as it will make you more competitive when you return to the job search.
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Network with construction workers who work at companies other than your own. Doing so will help you to stay abreast of opportunities that may become available before they're advertised. It is common for construction companies to hire quickly when projects are under way, so apply as early as possible when your networking efforts reveal an opening.
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Project a professional image in your interviews. Construction wear is inappropriate when interviewing for a supervisor's position; wear a shirt and tie instead. Use the interview to highlight your skills as a manager, organizer, decision-maker, motivator and relationship builder. These are the qualities that are most important in supervisory roles. Talk in depth about how your prior experiences have uniquely prepared you to become a supervisor. Be sure to openly express sincere interest in the position.
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Follow up 48 hours after the interview. Send an e-mail or make a quick phone call to thank the hiring manager for the opportunity to interview with his or her company. Reiterate your interest in the position and, if you feel comfortable, attempt to build rapport by asking how the hiring process is going. Remind the manager that you are willing to start as quickly as possible. Stay in touch.
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If you are not offered the position, ask how you can become a more competitive applicant when interviewing with other companies. Follow through with any suggestions offered to you. Don't be discouraged if you're rejected. Be persistent, and learn from the feedback you receive while searching for construction supervisor positions.
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