Working in construction is one field with many jobs and areas of interest. One of these areas is construction management jobs. These jobs involve overseeing construction projects from start to finish to ensure safety on site and deliver the best results on time.
Construction management jobs are ideal for organized and strategic individuals since you’ll also act as a project manager. Some of the duties of a construction project manager can include budgeting, planning, and working in collaboration with architects on designs, construction laborers, and other engineers.
Construction management career: Options available to you
One of the amazing things about construction management is how versatile it is with many different career paths. There are several roles related to different fields of construction available to AEC professionals. Choosing the right career path would depend on your skills and areas of expertise.
Learning more about each of the career paths in this lucrative field can also help you decide which is right for you or discover a new area you’d like to explore. Many of these roles will require some form of training, experience, and other relevant qualifications to be successful. Keep reading to learn more about and consider the following roles if you’re interested in finding a construction management job.
Construction management jobs: A detailed guide
Construction Manager
Construction Managers supervise the construction activities of a project, which include things like ordering materials, budgeting, negotiating with subcontractors, managing builders, and more. They also ensure every part of the project is conducted in compliance with local regulations. In some cases, they may be a point of contact with the client and provide them with updates.
Project Manager
Project Managers in the construction management field are in charge of every stage of the project. They work with the client to develop timelines, budgets, and deliverables, and monitor the progress of the project. Some of their other responsibilities may include hiring team members and providing cost estimates. They may also provide insights on infrastructure management, repairing and replacing products, and more.
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinators provide support and assist project managers on construction projects. They help coordinate with hiring, manage schedules, track project performance, and develop progress reports. They’re also in charge of coordinating planning, control, and completion of the technical requirements of the project.
Site Superintendent
Site Superintendents are in charge of the day-to-day operations of a construction project. They manage the activities and tasks at the project site, including developing work schedules and cost estimates. These individuals monitor the construction team to ensure they develop the project in line with safety regulations.
Site Coordinator
Site Coordinators manage, coordinate, and direct all site activities to ensure the project is completed successfully. They usually work with a general contractor on site to ensure daily activities like purchasing building materials, negotiating with clients, suppliers and subcontractors, and preparing progress reports are done on time. They’re generally responsible for ensuring equipment functions properly, coordinating work activities within the budget, and ensuring construction workers have what they need to perform their duties.
Project Engineer
A Project Engineer is in charge of the success of a construction project. They work with contractors, construction crew, and other site engineers to manage the business end of projects. The job also involves having leadership skills because they act as the go-between for the people involved in a construction project.
Field Engineer
Construction Field Engineers are responsible for managing efficiency in a project. They’re in charge of technical aspects, solve whatever challenges arise during the project, and communicate with the project owner about the project’s needs. Field engineers will also help in developing designs and assessing building materials and processes to boost efficiency in construction operations.
General Contractor
A General Contractor manages the entire construction crew. They work on a variety of projects including commercial and residential buildings. Their duties include managing professionals on construction sites, ensuring the site maintains local safety standards, and submitting applications for building permits. GCs are an AEC contracted to build the project.
Interview tips: How to prepare
Research the company. Learn as much as possible about the company you’re interviewing with. It’ll give you insights on who their competitors are, their challenges, and new developments in the industry.
Define your value proposition. It’s important to have a good idea of what value you’ll be adding to the company and why they should hire you. This can consist of your skills, interests, work experience, and related abilities.
Anticipate the tell me about yourself question. This question is dreaded by many job seekers but is almost always the first question an interviewer will ask. In most cases, companies are looking for personal history. They’re looking for the right personal fits just as much as candidates are. Your answer should cover your educational background and qualifications, relevant experience, and why you’re interested in the role.
Prepare questions. There are numerous applicants vying for the same job so it’s crucial to find ways to make yourself stand out. Asking insightful questions can keep interviewers from screening you out. Make a list of questions after researching the company that reflect your interest in the company and show you’ve made an effort to learn more about them.
Practice. Interviews can be nerve-racking, but they don’t have to be. Working with an engineering staffing company to perfect your interviewing skills can help take off some of the anxiety about the process. Their team will walk you through common questions asked during construction management job interviews and how to answer them best. It also helps to practice answers out loud on your own to boost confidence and help you answer questions articulately.
Show assertiveness. Handle the interview like a conversation between you and a friend. Actively participate in the conversation so the interviewer doesn’t end up driving the entire interaction. Try not to see the interviewer as an adversary and make an effort to form a relationship with them.
Get started in construction management with Certis Solutions
Finding your dream role in a career in Construction Management can be a lengthy process. Given that the industry comprises many specialities and job roles, working with an engineering staffing agency can make the process much easier.
Certis Solutions works with entry level construction management job seekers as well as experienced and seasoned AEC professionals. Contact us today and we’ll work with you to leverage our connections and find you the right job from our extensive database of construction jobs.
