What are the pros and cons of working in construction

Learn about the pros and cons of working in construction

Learn about the pros and cons of working in construction
Every job has pros and cons, it’s the natural balance of life. We aren’t one to sugar coat something. It is important for all candidates to understand the roles they will be getting into. Whether that is understanding the salary and industry insights or knowing what a typical day in the job looks like.

Knowing what to expect within a role enables you as a candidate to make the right decision. As well as us in recruitment placing the right candidates.

Construction can be a complex and fast paced industry, so there are bound to be both pros and cons of working in construction. Let’s look at some of the benefits and not so fun parts of construction.

What are the cons of working in construction?

In order to not end this blog on a downer, let’s first look at the cons of working in construction. Because, let’s be honest, no job is perfect all the time.

1: Hours

The hours can be seen as a benefit for some, but typically the days in construction start early. Again, this all depends on the role you are in but if you are one of the construction crew you will most likely start your work as soon as possible. For some, the early day is great but for those who enjoy a later start to the morning it isn’t too fun.

2: Hard labour

Not to say that no one else works hard, but there it takes a different type of person to do manual labour associated with many construction roles. The implementation of machinery and such is making many roles easier to manage; many construction roles require physical labour. Be prepared.

3: Location

Some projects may require you to travel. This can be anywhere from an hour’s drive or maybe they will require overnight stays. Depending on how the construction company works, you may be asked to travel further distances than anticipated. This for some can be difficult to manage. So it is important to be honest with the employer or recruiter and find out how much travelling you may need to do.

What are the pros of working in construction?

So now we’ve looked at some of the not so good things about construction, and even then some may not see those as issues. Let’s look at some of the pros of working in construction.

1: Variety

One of the benefits of construction is that no two projects are alike. Each project will have different problems to solve, different working conditions, and the client is different too. This makes it extremely engaging for many people.

2: Opportunity

Working in construction provides many opportunities for advancing your career. There are so many different roles within the construction industry that you can continue to grow and advance in any area you set your mind to. The wealth of opportunities available means that there is something for everyone.

3: Not tied to a desk

Being in construction means that you are out and about and active. This means that you are always moving and doing something, for those who can’t stand sitting at a desk for hours; a job in construction is perfect for you.

What is the best role in construction?

In our opinion, there is no best role in construction. What makes a role the best, is one that fits you and what you need from a job. Making sure that you are working in an industry that you enjoy, with the people that you get along with is what will take a job, to the best job.

Knowing what to expect from any role is important. If you are looking for a job in construction and have questions about the industry, speak to our expert recruitment agents. Our team at FBR is here to help you find the right role for you.

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Can a construction worker be automated out of a job

Construction workers automated out of jobs

Construction workers automated out of jobs
With so much going on around AI and technology, it is no wonder that people ask if construction workers can be automated out of a job.

While there are many benefits to technology and automation; that doesn’t automatically equal job replacements. There are many aspects of construction work that will need to be carried out by humans. However, with the advancement of technology and AI, we may find that the way we go about construction jobs changes and evolves.

As technology becomes more advanced and capable, many processes can be streamlined and sped up. This will free up time for employees to really focus on things that matter, this can make a huge difference to construction work.

So let’s look into how technology can be used to enhance construction jobs?

How can technology be used to enhance construction jobs?

There are three key ways technology can be used to enhance construction jobs, don’t worry these will make your work-life easier.

Reduce physical labour

One way is to reduce the amount of physical labour needed in the construction process. Automated machines and robots can be used for various tasks like digging, carrying, moving and lifting materials, etc. This saves time and energy from having to do all of this physical labour manually.

This also can create safer work environments for construction workers. As we all know there are many tasks that have to be carried out in specific ways in order to be done safely. With the introduction of specific machines, we can reduce workplace accidents in the construction industry and make it safer for all those involved.

Improve 3D printing and materials

Another way is to make use of 3D printing technology in order to create construction materials faster and with more accuracy. 3D printing can be used for creating models, prototypes, and even final products that are cheaper, lighter, and stronger than traditional materials.

This will result in more time and effort being put into the design process to ensure the end result is exactly right. Having more time to design and plan will be extremely beneficial for many construction job roles, in particular for those who are design engineers, CAD draughtsmen, and more.

Project management and the use of AI

The use of automation and AI is becoming increasingly popular in the field of construction management. This allows for better project planning and scheduling, as well as more accurate estimating of costs and time frames. Automation can also make it easier to track progress, reduce paperwork and automate the billing process.

This helps streamline processes and allows project managers, construction managers, and others to spend time focusing on the things that matter.

There are so many ways that technology can be used to improve construction jobs, from reducing physical labour to using 3D printing for better materials to using AI for better project management. People only fear what is new, and technology advancing has never replaced jobs entirely, only changed the landscape of work.

If you are looking for a new challenge in construction contact our team at FBR today. We focus on finding the right role for the right person. Our team of experts is able to help guide you through the recruitment process, from checking relevant qualifications and more. Contact us today.

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Why do you think millennials don’t want construction jobs?

Do millennials want to work in construction?

Do millennials want to work in construction?

Do millennials want construction jobs? This is quite a common question in our industry and it’s no wonder that with how the job market consistently changes.

In past generations manual labour jobs were common. Now with the rise in technology more office based jobs take up the market share. So the question is do we think millennials don’t want construction jobs?

It is important to remember, that the youngest millennial is in fact mid twenties. So millennials are not the youngest generation in the workforce. This offers clarification on who we are talking about.

It may surprise you to hear that it’s not all on millennials. As the younger generation reaches the workforce, what they are looking for from an employer is different to the ones before them.

Work Life balance is key for many younger generations, and businesses in all industries need to consider this when recruiting new employees. Millennials are the generation who have been told to work smarter not harder. This means if there is a way to make a role simpler then they will explore that. Businesses who remain trapped in old processes may lose out to new talent.

So the question isn’t that millennials don’t want to work in construction, but how can construction companies recruit millennials?

How have construction jobs changed?

Since the beginning of time construction has always been a part of life. From building houses, highways, industrial estates, warehouses, and more.

Before technology many tasks in construction relied upon a manual process. From taking measurements, surveying lands, and more. As technology evolved, so did the construction industry. Measurements became digitalised, as did plans and designs, even now surveys can be completed with various technology such as drones.

As technology continues to evolve so will the landscape of construction roles, as long as businesses embrace these changes.

Improving with technology and other advancements will ultimately change the way a construction job is done. This means gone are the days of pencils, hauling and handling with only a wheelbarrow.

So it is not so much that millennials aren’t working in construction roles. They are simply working in a different capacity to what a construction role previously entailed.

How to appeal to younger generations in the job market

Younger generations, and the younger millennials look for work life balance and flexibility. There are many roles which offer this and as such construction companies need to consider ways in which they can also offer flexibility.

Another key thing to consider when looking to recruit younger generations, is what could their career path look like? Gone are the days of chasing a job title and income for status. Millennials and those younger want to make an impact and improve the world around them. If they can do this through their job then they will be far more fulfilled and stay in jobs longer.

Using this, businesses will need to look at ways they can streamline their internal processes and make better business decisions that have positive impacts on the environment and world.

Additionally, while money isn’t everything millennials look for. They know their worth and expect to be paid for it. This means you can’t expect minimum salaries for high flying jobs.

The construction industry is a fast moving industry in terms of recruitment. Having a recruitment agent who understands your needs is essential to finding the right talent. Here at FBR recruitment, our experts are on hand to make sure you find the right person for the right job. Contact us today.

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Women in Construction | International Women’s Day

How many women work in construction?

How many women work in construction?
With International Women’s Day looming near we thought we’d look into the women in construction. There are many debates that surround equal opportunity and gender pay gaps.

It is important to keep these in mind when recruiting, which is why here at FBR we look at skills and compatibility over anything else. It is important to find employers the right person for the job, no matter the gender. This applies to securing salaries, our team understands the construction industry as well as the salary for each role.

Traditionally construction has been a male dominated industry for many years. As the world evolves, and with it so does the job market.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we look at all the fantastic women who work in construction. It’s a fast paced industry and not for the faint of heart.

How many women work in construction?

Women currently account for a total of 16.2% of total construction roles. While this number is low, it is showing signs of improvement over the years.

This figure includes roles that are predominantly administrative, and secretarial. According to the ONS, only 1% of this total is in relation to roles such as bricklaying, carpenters, electricians, and other manual skilled workers.

History time; many businesses seem to forget that during WW2 many roles were fulfilled by women while men were being conscripted into the army.

Why have women traditionally chosen other careers instead of construction?

Everyone’s job is a choice. We all have different factors that we take into consideration when looking for a job. Women traditionally were excluded from the workforce in many construction roles. So it was never the case that they chose other careers, simply put society chose the roles for them.

However, that is not the case in our modern day society. As the job market continues to evolve it offers up opportunities for people of all walks of life. This provides businesses with a diverse workforce and talents.

How can construction jobs become more accessible?

Construction jobs are far more accessible than they have ever been. With technology changing the landscape of construction roles it can only be believed that it will continue to make these roles more accessible.

The pandemic sped up many aspects of working environments. It has been found that many people prefer a hybrid work solution. As such construction roles which rely on paperwork and admin processes may be able to accommodate; by offering people the option to do admin at home while attending on site for other requirements.

Here at FBR we look at matching skills and people with the right job. This way businesses get the best talent, and employees remain happy in their roles.

Our skilled recruitment agents are on hand to help businesses find the right employee. As well as matching new candidates with dream roles. From new placements to taking the next career step, our team is on hand to help.

Contact us today to see how we can help you today.

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How to write a CV for Construction job roles

Learn how to write a CV for construction jobs with FBR

Learn how to write a CV for construction jobs with FBR
There are many different ways you can write a CV for construction job roles. A CV is an important part of applying for new jobs. It provides you with the opportunity to showcase your skills and sell yourself to a potential employer.

CVs are part of recruitment processes, and here at FBR we see a lot of them. Knowing how to write a CV for construction jobs is an important skill. Not every role is the same so learning how to enhance your CV for each job can put you ahead of your competition.

There are fundamental parts of any CV. Let’s look at the essentials and then dive into construction specific CVs.

Basic CV requirements

Every CV will need to have some basic requirements. These are;

  • Contact information: a potential employer or recruiter will need to know how to contact you for interviews and with the good news of a job offer.
  • About you: provide your recruiter or potential employer a brief overview of who you are. This will help them get to know you and make a quick judgement if you would be a good fit for the team. After all, many employers now are focused on looking for the right candidate who they can skill up and train, over someone who wouldn’t fit in with the team.
  • Experience: this is where you provide an overview of your experience in the industry. If you are just starting out, you can include previous experience in other roles and link any and all transferable skills.
  • References: be sure to include any references or have the following sentence “happy to provide references upon request.” Most recruitment companies will either ask for the references beforehand. And typically your most recent employer will be one of the references.

Once you have an outline of your CV you can begin to build and expand on it. Adding in qualifications and other relevant information is beneficial.

Construction specific CVs

All CVs can look similar, but having a generic CV is a little dated. Personalising your CV to include industry specific information is key.

If you have industry specific qualifications be sure to include those, and even put them above other qualifications. GCSEs and other qualifications are important, but highlighting industry specific qualifications is better.

If you have worked on specific projects that required key skills, write about them in the experience section. Highlight your relevant skills and experience as much as possible.

The key thing to remember with CVs is to make sure they match the role you are applying for. Whether that is with experience, transferable skills, or a personality match.

How to format your CV for construction jobs

At the top of your CV include a title that links to the industry and job role you are applying for. This makes it easy to place and the employer or recruiter knows what they are looking at.

After that, the next place to go when formatting your CV is the contact information. This includes your name, date of birth, email address, and phone number. You can include a short bio, or have a personal statement here too. This way everything about you is in one palace.

Begin to build out the rest of your CV with qualifications, remember to keep industry specific ones at the top. Include previous job roles and explain in short your responsibilities. Highlight any transferable skills such as communication, operating systems, attention to detail, working independently etc.

Once you have completed the main base of your CV you can then begin to play around with it. Add details you think would make an impact on your application. All the while highlighting your qualifications, experience, skills and achievements.

Instead of making a CV on a basic word document, try heading over to Canva. There are many templates you can use to elevate your CV.

CV tips and tricks

When looking at a specific job role, review the job description and make sure to add any buzzwords and details that have been used and apply to you.

Create a portfolio of your previous work. This is a great way to showcase your skills and projects you have worked on. On each image you can detail the scope of the project as well as your specific involvement.

Include a skills bar chart. What this means is that you look at your current skill set and quantify your current level. Rate yourself out of 5 and include a bar chart of those skills, this is a really easy way to gain some attention as well as provide insight into where you rate yourself.

Make your CV skimmable. Recruiters and employers get many, many CVs and job applications a day. Making it easy to read and skimmable means that the relevant information is easy to find and puts you at a higher chance of getting an interview.

Don’t be afraid to add design to your CV. Depending on where you are applying to, adding a design and formatting your CV to be different from a standard white page can help you stand out from the crowd. It also shows that you have put in time and effort, and have great attention to detail. All of these skills are key in many construction jobs. First impressions count, so make sure your CV is a great first impression.

Writing a CV for construction job roles is relatively easy, it just takes time and a little effort. Once you have interviewed or spoken to a potential employer, you can always ask for feedback. Getting feedback on your CV can be extremely helpful as you continue to search for construction jobs.

If you are looking to find your next job contact FBR. Our recruitment experts are on hand to help you find the right role. Contact us now, or visit our Jobs Board.

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