Find the right graduate job with the right construction employer
When looking for a graduate job it’s tempting to go for quantity of applications, but trust us – applying to construction companies that you really want to work for is more likely to get you an interview. Your enthusiasm will shine through and you’ll be matching your skills to a role where you can put them to great use. Your employer can also make a big difference to your job satisfaction and career progression, so it pays to consider which employers will help you get your graduate career off to the best start.
Choosing the right graduate job
Gaining an insight into the pros and cons of a particular role, the skills and degrees required and the developments affecting it is key to choosing the right job for you. Think about what makes you tick: do you want to be based on site or mainly in the office? Are you keen to specialise in a certain area or do you want to take the overview?
- Get the inside track on job roles from construction graduates
- Architecture to project management: areas of work in construction
- Find out more about the construction projects graduates work on
Choosing the right graduate employer
It’s important to apply to employers who can help you to get what you want from your construction career. But with so many companies to choose from, there are various questions you will need to answer before applying.
What projects would you like to specialise in?
Be sure to investigate which disciplines and services an organisation offers before you submit an application; over your career, you may opt to specialise. Construction companies specialise in certain disciplines and in particular ‘service areas’ – for example, a firm might offer building services engineering expertise for sports and leisure projects. Some employers will offer a range of these disciplines and services while others provide expertise in one or two.
Consultant or contractor?
Consultants are involved with a project from the outset and work closely with the client and design team to develop ideas and establish the best way to implement them. They resolve any design-related difficulties once building begins and are mostly office based, but often spend some time on site.
Contractors, on the other hand, build the project and are responsible for the entire construction process once plans and materials are in place. They usually co-ordinate the contributions of the different parties (including subcontractors) building the project and are based on site.
What support do you need?
Investigate what graduate support is available from different employers. You’re likely to be taken on as a trainee and supervised by a line manager on a project – they will oversee your work and help resolve any problems. Good employers provide you with a mentor and a chance to become professionally qualified.
Formal graduate schemes are also increasingly available in construction: some employers will rotate you around different projects so that you gain a general overview, while others find it beneficial for an individual manager to train graduates over a sustained period.
Which size fits?
Larger employers have a greater trainee intake and offer structured roles and progression. Plus, you’re more likely to work on bigger, high-profile projects. The advantages that smaller companies may give you include earlier responsibility and the opportunity to become an expert on a specialist area. What would suit you best?
Where do you want your graduate career to take you?
Location has a huge impact on your work/life balance. Larger UK employers have a network of offices with a head office in a city such as London, while smaller organisations tend to be based in one region. Regardless of where the office is, it’s usual to commute to the construction site. Multinational companies can offer work abroad, along with support to arrange the practicalities and paperwork. But even if you’re based in the UK, when you work on an international project you should get to pay a visit.
Narrowing down your graduate career options
When faced with a variety of choices and options, trying a few of them out can help you decide. Work experience is a great way to gain an invaluable insight, speak to people working in the roles you’re interested in and boost your CV.
Careers fairs offer a great chance to meet employees of the companies you have in mind and ask questions about what it’s like to work for them. However, you need to approach them in the right way: get an attendees’ list from the careers service, do some research and find out about their projects so you can make the most of the opportunity.
Remember, any contact you have with an organisation – be it through work experience, a careers fair, a chat over the phone or an on-campus presentation – can help you find the best job and workplace for you.
