Construction is the art of building a structure to serve a specific purpose. A career in construction is perfect for people who want to stay physically active and make a difference in the world by building quality structures and there are many Denver CO jobs available.

There are numerous construction courses that offer a chance for a job upon completion, or you can try to gain more experience. Take full advantage of any internship you have the chance to get into, because after that, companies will typically use them as a way to recruit future employees. Internships also provide a good opportunity to learn more about the structure of the industry through which you can develop the skills and qualities needed for different jobs. Temporary work at a relevant company can also be helpful in establishing contacts and building relationships.

If you want to level up your construction career potential, you should take into account getting some of the following certifications:

• Health & safety qualification based on your job title
• OSHA Training
• Certifications for engineering and surveying offered by The National Council of Examiners
• Certifications offered by The American Concrete Institute
• Green Business Certification (LEED)
• Certification in construction management

A resume is not a 100% standard document. For each application, it must be adapted according to the field of activity, the company and the position.

When writing a resume for a construction career, it is important to use phrases and keywords specific to the construction industry, which employers also use in their ads for those jobs. This is because many employers use automated candidate tracking systems, which are programmed to prioritize those that include specific keywords. Some examples:

• For construction managers or supervisors: construction management, project management, inspection, quality control, site supervision, contracting etc.
• For general construction: operation of equipment (bulldozers, forklifts, excavators), measurements, safety regulations, hammer skills, power tools, demolition, trucks etc.
• For various qualifications in the field of construction: brick installation, carpentry, cement mixing, plumbing, plasterboard, electrical, refrigeration, sheet metal etc.

The resume must contain sections dedicated to work experience, education and skills for jobs in Colorado. You must also write a keyword-rich summary (also known as qualification profile), which is used immediately to demonstrate to a manager that the candidate has the qualifications set out in the job advertisement. In the “Experience” section, there are described the key projects and achievements that will help the candidate to stand out in the competition.

Each job in the construction field requires certain skills and abilities from the future employee. It often happens that a person who wants to work in a certain place does not have the necessary training to get that job, and this could be an obstacle for both the person in question and the employer who is in need of manpower. If you are in this situation, opting for an apprenticeship program can be to your advantage because it will guide you to develop the necessary skills and obtain a level of professional qualification, at the end of the period provided in the contract. 

The construction apprenticeship contract supports those who want a job and are willing to invest time and energy into learning the qualities needed for a job.

The apprentice’s reliability and willingness to work and learn at the same time is what all employers are looking for, therefore the job interview must be prepared in such a way as to be relevant and help you know your candidates better.

Interviewing for a construction apprenticeship is a bit different than interviewing for a regular job, because in this particular case, you do not look for specialists, but for people to invest in, to qualify in the field of construction and to hire, eventually, at the end of the internship. Therefore, your goal will be to discover the motivation, ambition and dedication of some people (generally very young!) to your company’s needs.  Find apprenticeship opportunities here.

Given that the coronavirus pandemic has led to an increase in the number of unemployed by more than a third, Denver jobs in the construction sector are becoming more and more attractive, especially that they are well-paid.

With minimal experience and a degree in construction, you can find work in the following positions:

1. Entry-level jobs

Contracting and acquisitions agent

In such a position, you will be responsible for purchasing the necessary materials and equipment. You will also help review contracts and manage finances.

Commercial carpenter

Commercial carpenters are involved in building and repairing commercial structures, such as malls and grocery stores.

2. Advanced jobs

Contract administrator

Contract administrators are responsible for creating and reviewing contracts involved in the purchase of materials and equipment, selling services offered by the company and consulting with sellers and customers.

Specialist in project control

Project control specialists manage the teams of employees in construction and engineering. They are also responsible for planning and financing specific projects and ensuring that these projects are carried out successfully.

In the construction industry, jobs are generally wee-paid, but the highest level of earnings is, of course, for the best qualified and experienced. For this reason, the job of construction manager is also in high demand.

2020 was a year of crisis and economic shrinkage that affected all industry segments, construction included. While 2021 looks like another tough year, many experts are optimistic and forecast a powerful come-back for the building industry this year – here is what they say:

• A more competitive market for subcontractors – the cold months at the beginning of the year come with fewer projects and are always a period that is more challenging for any player in the construction industry, but many experts say that this year will be in its entirety about more severe competition;
• Even more demand for top quality – recovery for the construction industry is likely to mean more exacting demands from clients as well as the demand to include more services into their range without increasing the prices significantly;
• Increased interest for safety – keeping employers and sites safe will continue to be a priority to construction companies, whether small or large. Most companies have already developed stricter and more comprehensive procedures that now include not only the safety measures that were standard before the pandemic, but that make the wearing of masks and regular sanitizing mandatory;
• Continued labor shortage – the construction segment continues to make efforts to attract talent from other industries to help solve labor shortage issues. This also means that the positions for Colorado jobs offered by building companies come with increasingly attractive conditions.

Many construction companies today use a great, very efficient strategy to solve their labor shortage issues: they offer apprenticeship programs to talented people who are interested in a specific trade, but have no or very little experience in the field. Apprenticeship programs offer a combination of paid work and learning in the form of in-classroom and in-field working, which means that apprentices work on construction sites, under the supervision of masters during the day and they also attend classes where they learn the theoretical basics as well as the practical aspects of their trade. Here are some important benefits that make these construction jobs in Colorado apprenticeship so attractive:

• Well-paid jobs – even though the apprentice is not a skilled person, the payments offered are usually higher than the payments received by skilled personnel in other industries;
• Career opportunities – after completing the course and taking the required exams, former apprentices can quickly move up the career ladder to become masters or managers;
• The opportunity to have a business of their own – after receiving their certificate, the people who have completed an apprenticeship program can not only seek employment at higher levels in the industry – they can also start their own business.

The construction industry today is a rapidly expanding and developing segment that is never short of challenges and exciting projects and offers lots of high-paid positions. Here is why seeking a new career in construction is such a great decision:

• Great pay – construction is among the best, highest-paying segments for college graduates, for people coming from a different industry, for skilled and unskilled job seekers alike;
• New technologies coming in all the time – building projects nowadays use advanced tech solutions, such as sophisticated laser equipment for accurate measurements, GPS and drone technology for site assessments and for monitoring progress, even 3-D printing, thus offering great learning opportunities for anyone keen on new methods;
• Great career opportunities – the industry offers great opportunities of career advancement at all levels. One of the features that make the segment so attractive that a talented person initially employed at entry-level can quickly advance and become a manager or occupy a leadership position.
• The opportunity of learning a new trade – the construction industry welcomes talented people even without previous experience in building. Many large building companies offer apprenticeship programs that offer paid employment as well as the opportunity to learn a trade, such as electrical repairs or other trades that are highly sought for these days, see apprenticeships.

The construction industry is known to offer a very wide range of great Colorado jobs opportunities and to have lots of high-paying positions available for suitable talent. Here are some of the best-paid jobs in the segment:

• Construction managers – the job description for these posts is long and includes lots of complex tasks from planning construction activities to overseeing them all the way to completion. The payments for the complex and challenging job is, of course, high;
• Specialized repair, maintenance and installation technicians – elevators, windows and doors, electrical supply systems, heating systems, plumbing systems, heating and ventilation systems, flooring and the fixtures incorporated into these systems all need trained and highly qualified technicians. The construction industry is faced with a constant shortage in these areas, therefore these jobs are always in high demand and paid well;
• Machine operators – cranes, excavators and other machines used for lifting and moving heavy objects are used all the time on construction sites – no building project can be executed without them. Experienced operators able to perform complex tasks on these machines are also very well-paid and sought-for;
• Laborers – all construction projects rely heavily on laborers. The work is usually hard and it involves lots of processes performed outdoor, but the pay is great.

Even in times when it is difficult to find a well-paid job, you must not accept unconditionally the first job offer you receive, unless it is one of the best Denver jobs available. Here are some red flags that tell you when to turn down a job offer.

1. The employment announcement mentions that the future employee will “benefit” from a work permit, paid leave or two days off per week. These are not benefits! According to the law, you are entitled to get them, so the employer does not offer them from the goodness of their heart. Actually, such an approach may be an indicator that the employer has the mentality of a plantation owner.
2. The employer cannot give you a clear answer to questions such as: “What is the salary increase procedure?”, “How are the promotions done inside the company?”, “Why did the person who previously held the job leave?” etc.
3. The employment notice includes at least one requirement regarding the physical appearance of the future employee. Even if you meet that “requirement”, you should know that such references are discriminatory; they are good indicators of the level of professionalism within the organization.
4. The employer talks to you right from the first interview about working overtime, but forgets to add about the payment you will get for your extra work.
5. The company insists on signing the employment contract as soon as possible, not giving you time to clarify your future attributions and working conditions.

Next time you are looking for a job in construction, in addition to the classic recruitment like Build Colorado of Denver, take into account LinkedIn. If you are wondering how to use it to find a job, consider the following tips.

• You need a recommendation from someone who works for the construction company you also want to work for. Such a recommendation will greatly increase your chances of getting the job and start your career in construction.
• Fill in your entire profile so that recruiters know what you are looking for. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is constantly updated. You will never be able to convince an employer of your professional qualities, so pay close attention to the “professional interests” section; it will help you get the attention of employers who use LinkedIn to recruit.
• You should create a LinkedIn profile even if you do not have a job yet. Just fill in the “current job” section with information about what kind of job you are looking for.
• Finally yet importantly, be active on LinkedIn, if you want to have better chances to be recruited by a construction company. Read articles published online, leave comments, ask questions. It only takes a few minutes of your time, but these minutes are exactly those that could make the difference for you.