Finding a job can sometimes feel like a job in itself! So, we've created a go-to guide to help you to land a career or an apprenticeship in construction.
Think about the type of role you see yourself doing and start working on your CV, listing your work-based experiences, and existing skills and qualifications that may help you to stand out and gain a role in this field.
Top tips on writing a CV
Mimi-Isabella Nwosu is an assistant materials engineer at Sir Robert McAlpine - and in her spare time, she runs a successful CV advice service which can be used for full CV reviews as well as interview coaching.
Look for job opportunities in the fields you’re interested in. These may be listed on the National Careers Service, Careers Wales, Skills Development Scotland, or on independant job sites.
You can also find a job that suits your interests, skills and qualifications using our Career Explorer.
Found a job you want to apply for? Employers and recruitment agencies often ask for a CV (tick!), cover letter and application form. It’s a good idea to do some research into the company you’re applying to before writing your application. It can also be helpful to identify your employability skills and think of some examples to demonstrate when you have used them, to help you to stand out from the crowd.
Employability skills can include but are not limited to skills such as:
Applying for an apprenticeship? The application process is very similar to applying for a regular job. If you see more than one position you like the look of, you could always apply for more than one apprenticeship at a time, as this will increase your chances of hearing something back.
Got yourself an interview? Congratulations!
Ahead of time, do some more research into the role and the company, and consider practicing some standard interview questions, to help you prepare. Interviews can be daunting, so remember to breathe and remain focussed on your strengths and abilities. If you don’t get the job, remember, you can always ask for feedback so you can keep improving your interview technique and improve it next time!
Once you’ve landed a job in construction, it's important to keep your skills up-to-date as the world of work is always changing. Gaining additional skills and knowledge will also help you to progress in your job and open the door to new roles or specialisms and, possibly, a higher salary.
Some roles require you to undertake certain training or competency tests as standard (i.e. CSCS cards). In others, employers may offer opportunities to go on accredited or non-accredited training courses to help you improve your communication skills, become adept at using certain machinery, learn about site safety, gain management skills or more.
Some people choose to continue studying whilst on the job, either part-time (with their employer’s approval) or around their full time work, to gain professional qualifications, such as higher or degree apprenticeships or chartered status.