Landing a Job in Today's Market

By Beth Madden, Madden Industrial Craftsmen, Inc

Although full recovery is a long way off, the Seattle construction market has some bright spots starting to appear. Here are two surefire ways to set yourself apart if you are looking for work.

Where are the jobs?

Based on what I am hearing and what is going on in our business, things are really starting to pop in the residential remodel arena. Homeowners who have been shopping for deals are finally signing contracts and financing seems to be less of a hurdle for this market. Commercial tenant improvements, government financed building upgrades, and multi-use condo conversion projects are next in line. New construction of all types still seems to be struggling the most.

Put your best foot forward!

In this market, there are many people applying for each position, and you need to make sure you stand out from the pack.

Wow them with your resume!

Your resume is typically your first introduction to an employer or recruiter. It must be professional in appearance and clearly show your accomplishments. A sloppy resume, or one with typos, is an indication that you really haven’t committed to the job search. It may have been reviewed in the past, but will not make it into the review pile in this market.

In addition to basic formatting and clean appearance, a great resume will be accompanied by a cover letter that responds to specific details of the job and will have:

• A clear listing of each company you worked for, as well as the position(s) held;
• The dates of employment with months (not just years);
• Details regarding the type of work that was completed, as well as all unique accomplishments.
• Make sure to highlight unique skills that your peers might not have (e.g. drafting) as well as if you have experience managing others.
• For more junior levels, a list of tools you have used and that you own, as well as details such as “non-smoker” and “clean driving record” can set you apart.
• Include a list of references including name, title, and contact information.

Be flexible, within reason!

In this job market, you will have to be flexible in your position responsibilities and pay requirements. Employers have made many sacrifices to adjust to today’s market conditions and will expect you to make some adjustments as well. You may have to take on a broader set of responsibilities, work in a less glamorous capacity, travel farther, and/or do so a slightly lower pay. Once you have proven yourself in this initial role you can progress into your ideal role.

However, make sure that you do not compromise too much. Unhappy employees are not a solution for either you or your employer. It is best to turn down a position that will make you unhappy and keep looking for the right fit.

Most of all, keep your spirits up!

While jobs are not plentiful, there are jobs coming available every day in our industry. If you sharpen your resume and are flexible in your expectations, the right position will be yours!

Stay tuned to this MBA Blog for tips on how to interview, perform a successful job search and be effective once you land your job!

Beth Madden is the president of Madden Industrial Craftsmen, Inc., a premier provider of industrial staffing services.http://www.mici.com