There are many different types of construction jobs. These include building residential and commercial buildings, bridges, roads and other structures. Besides building these things, those who have employment in construction also maintain repair or improve different structures.

Jobs for construction contractors are typically physically taxing, but represent a good opportunity for a high hourly wage. Because it's often local business and homeowners that hire construction workers, the success of the industry often relates to the success of the current economy.

Some of the construction jobs basics that you should know are:

1. Those who specialize in a particular field are often able to command higher wages than those that are unskilled.

2. Careers in construction are frequently dangerous, with a higher percentage of work-related injuries than the private sector (5.9 vs. 4.4 percent).

3. Many people that have construction jobs are self-employed and work more than 40 hours per week.

4. About 15% of construction workers belong to a union. These workers typically receive higher pay.

Action Steps for Building a Talent Pool for Construction Jobs
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Train for construction job opportunities as an apprentice

Many workers learn the skills that they need to succeed in construction careers from working as an apprentice. Due to the nature of the work, it's best to look for this type of on-the-job training.

I recommend: Building Advantage offers an apprentice program for those that are interested in construction work. The Minnesota Mechanical Contractors Association also offers a number of different types of apprenticeships.

Look through construction job listings to find a job that's right for you

When you're looking for a job, perhaps the best thing to do is look for construction job boards. These focus exclusively on construction jobs, making it easier for you to find the best jobs in your area.

I recommend: Sign up for ConstructionJobs.com to start looking for a construction job. You'll be able to apply through their website as well as post your resume so that potential employers can find you. TopBuildingJobs.com also allows you to search for jobs.

Get a great job through a construction employment agency

Some people find that it's easier to find employment in the construction industry when they use a headhunter. These professional recruiters match workers with companies that need to hire.

I recommend: The Construction Recruiters Network allows you to search for a recruiter in your area. Kimmel and Associates is an executive search firm that focuses on the construction industry. They have a high rate of satisfaction.

Tips & Tactics for Screening Construction Employment Applicants

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Employment in construction is often seasonal and may halt unexpectedly due to inclement weather. It's important to take note of the work trends in your area so that you can have enough money to live when it's not possible to work.

Construction employment ebbs and flows by nature, which means that recruiting for jobs in construction can be challenging. To facilitate the process, tap into the growing number of online resources for construction employment. Whether you’re seeking to fill construction jobs with ordinary helpers, skilled tradesmen or architectural and engineering professionals, you can find a wealth of sources to help. Knowing where to advertise a construction job opening and how to screen applicants will ensure that you build the best team possible for your construction projects. When hiring workers for jobs in construction, be sure to:

1. Research regional standards for construction salaries.
2. Verify the candidate’s credentials and past construction employment.
3. Resist cutting corners despite time constraints commonly associated with construction jobs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Post your construction jobs online

Instead of posting your construction jobs on general job boards, target online career centers that specialize in jobs in construction.

I recommend: Check out some of the large construction industry-specific job boards, such as ConstructionJobs.com or ConstructionWork.com, which works like a construction employment agency with about 3,000 jobs listed, ranging from entry level to senior positions. If you need to fill construction jobs that require professionals, such as architects or engineers, visit the CADTalent.com job board.

Hire a construction employment agency

A construction employment agency can help you fill your construction jobs and can reduce the amount of time you need to spend on recruiting.

I recommend: Contract with a construction employment agency, such as Lucas Group or Kimmel & Associates to fill the top jobs such as the vice president of construction, chief estimator, project manager, or director of acquisitions. Find additional construction recruiters listed at Business.com or at the ConstructionRecruitersNetwork.com.

Post your construction jobs in trade schools

A dizzying array of training facilities exists for the building trades. Target these schools and their career centers with your construction employment postings

I recommend: Find trade schools at Khake.com or at ConstructMyFuture.com. Or visit Business.com for a wealth of construction education resources.

Nail down construction salaries

Construction salaries vary greatly depending on the region, the economy and the type of job. On the lower end of the construction salary range, helpers may earn about $10 an hour; at the other end of the spectrum, skilled tradesmen can pocket more than $30 an hour.

I recommend: Take advantage of the construction salary tools at Business.com to help you zero in on a fair wage. Find hourly and annual wage estimates for a variety of jobs in construction, including carpenters, construction laborers, floor layers, insulation workers and roofers at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do background checks on applicants for jobs in construction

Jobs in construction require training and experience. Be sure to check credentials and verify past employment when hiring for construction jobs.

I recommend: : Hire-Safe.com offers background checks designed for the construction and building trades. To investigate construction executives and professionals like architects or engineers, try ConstructionExecutive.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don’t forget about workers who may speak English as a second language. Consider placing construction employment ads in foreign-language newspapers those individuals might read.
• •  Try to learn enough about the construction jobs you are hiring for to detect phonies.
• •  Jobs in construction sometimes require workers to drive while on the job. Double check online results with the DMV for any motor vehicle problems.

Those that are most successful in their construction careers typically have advanced training for construction jobs. While it's true that you may be able to find an entry-level construction job opportunity that doesn't require experience or training, you can get better positions when you have training.

There are many different types of careers in construction, from pouring the concrete to putting on the finishing touches. Think about what types of job most interests you and seek out training that helps you learn the techniques.

When considering training for construction jobs:

1. Some of the best training happens on the job. You can watch videos and take classes in order to get employment in construction, but programs that promote hands on learning are far superior.

2. Think about specializing in an area. It may be easier for you to find construction job opportunities that are high-paying when you are an expert in your field.

3. Plan to be a lifelong learner. There are always new skills to learn and this will benefit your career in construction.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn the requirements for employment in the construction industry

You'll find a wide range of training requirements based on the type of job you are interested in. It's a good idea to research the requirements before you start training or working in the industry.

I recommend: Construction can be a very dangerous business, so the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) offers the industry training and guideline requirements on their site. Different specialties also have their own requirements, such as the requirements for a civil engineering degree from Sacramento State College.

Get the training you need for construction careers at professional schools

Look for schools that specialize in training future construction workers. Many schools also offer apprentice programs that can get you on the job training. In some cases, you may want to get an Associate or Bachelor's degree from a college.

I recommend: The Academy of Construction Technologies offers learning experiences both in the classroom and in the field. Alternatively, you can look for accredited construction programs in your area through the American Council for Construction Education.

Improve worker safety with safety training for construction jobs

Safety is an important aspect of construction work. Your employees should receive regular training to help remind them of the dangers that they face daily.

I recommend: PureSafety offers online safety training courses for construction workers. The American Society of Safety Engineers offers a number of solutions for safety training, including seminars.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When applying for jobs through construction job boards, make sure that your training level meets or beats their expectations.
• •  Check with your employer to see if they offer a reimbursement program for continuing education. Many companies will pay for your classes provided you get a passing grade.

The construction industry can include residential or commercial buildings, roads, bridges and every imaginable structure used within our daily lives. The pay for construction jobs is generally high due to the physical labor you may have to endure. If you're interested in obtaining a job in the construction industry, the following positions are some of the many possibilities.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Construction manager

The construction manager oversees all aspects of the construction project, serving as the supervisor for all of the subcontractors. The construction manager is also known as the constructor, production manager, superintendent or general contractor.

I recommend: Refer to Career Overview for more information on a construction manager position.

Laborer

A construction laborer does the actual building and construction work. Laborers do everything from clean the construction site to the actual dangerous physical labor and machine operation. They may be carpenters, plasterers, engineers, masons or assistants.

I recommend: Find more details about job descriptions, wages and education requirements for construction laborers from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Plasterer

A plasterer or stucco mason is the individual that installs the interior or exterior sheetrock, plaster or stucco. He may also apply decorative textures or designs with finishes or additions like sand, stone or pebbles.

I recommend: Visit Career Planner for more details on the tasks of a plasterer.

Inspector

The construction inspector inspects and approves virtually every aspect of the construction process. At the end of each phase, the inspector makes sure that every nail is in place and all the measurements are in order so that the structure is safe and meets design standards.

I recommend: The Dictionary of Occupational Titles gives more information on a construction inspector.

Electrical contractor

The electrical contractor installs all of the electrical wiring and fixtures within the construction project. It is important that electricians install these elements at the right time in the construction.

I recommend: Arne Electro-Tech provides full details for the position of electrical contractor.

Architect

Architects design the building structure. Whether it is a simple design for an industrial warehouse or an elaborate design for a beautiful church, museum or other public building, the architect plans each and every square inch of it.

I recommend: Visit StateUniversity or the Bureau of Labor Statistics for more details about this career choice.