5 Things Construction Professionals Can do to Advance their Career

I got a call from a Senior Site Engineer yesterday, inquiring into a role we’re working on with a Main contractor in North Dublin.

I asked him why he had decided now was the time to look for a new role and he described his current situation.

After spending almost 10 years with his current employer he had progressed in terms of job seniority, but was still working the same size and type of project (public realm scheme’s) and was ready to take on his next challenge.

It got me thinking, what are the  key things any construction professional in Ireland can do to help push on their career.

Define your success

Everyone has their own definition of success. Some engineers might be happy to do the same role for 10 years because it close to home, they can spend more time with the family, others have the ambition to push on, climb the ladder,which might entail travel to different projects.

Think about what’s important to you, how your career might look 5 years from now and outline your version of success.

There’s no right or wrong way to define success, it’s different for everyone, what matters is you’re able to define it.

Create goals and a timeline

Now you know where you would like to be 5 years from now, it’s time to set yourself the goal of getting there.

Contemplate the steps you need to take to reach the next level in your career. What skills will you need to learn? Maybe you want to gain chartership, learn AutoCad, how to use Total station.. Who in your network can help you develop? Will you be able to reach your goal at your current company?

Communicate  regularly with you Project Manger / Project Director

If your manager really cares about your career advancement, they will have an open environment, where you are able to communicate, talk openly about what you want to achieve in your career and even give suggestions as to how they can help with things like training & development.

Don’t be shy about asking for a one-to-one meeting with your manager or director to discuss your professional progression.

Challenge yourself and have passion for your work

All our clients encourage their employees to challenge themselves technically and professionally on a daily basis. The majority of them offer help in terms of training & chartership status, personal development, pushing engineers out of their comfort zones.

If your asked to take on new tasks / challenges, meet them head on, asking for help along the way.

Believe in Yourself

If you’re working on a large construction project, there’s a good chance your part of a busy team, working together to bring part of that project to completion. If you’re working with a great team around you, your positive vibe will spur them on, offering help and support as you progress and develop.

Putting out positive vibes really can make all the difference.

Breagh Recruitment are one of Ireland’s leading construction recruitment consultancies, working with construction professionals, from Junior Civil Engineers, Site Engineers, Senior Site Engineers, Project & Site Managers, etc helping them develop and progress their careers in Ireland.