Though the construction and building industry was one of the hardest hit by the recession, the industry is making a strong comeback today. The number of construction jobs and projects in the US and overseas is on the rise, which means construction companies are winning more bids and can afford to hire more employees to meet the increased demand. Construction professionals at all levels can now find opportunities in their specific field, whether they are an engineer, a project manager, a heavy equipment operator, a subcontractor or a superintendent.
The job outlook for architects is not so clear-cut. According to a recent story on National Public Radio by Wendy Kaufman, there were 220,000 architects working in 2008. Today, only three quarters of those positions remain. Kaufman explains that while larger architecture firms and construction companies are hiring again, many small and mid-sized companies may have a longer waiting period before they are ready to take on any new architects.
In recent years, large architecture firms that typically work on corporate business parks and large residential development projects are turning to smaller projects that they would not ordinarily take on. However, it is expected that as the demand for new building projects and thus architects continues to rise, eventually even the small firms will be able to bounce back. Larger firms are taking on small projects now, but they do not expect to continue this once they are busy with larger projects. Once that happens, you will see large firms shying away from all small and residential bids, and more mid-sized and small architecture firms stepping in and taking their place.
What can architects looking for jobs do in the mean time? Market, market, market. Whether an individual is looking for a job in a large firm or a small one, it is crucial that he or she markets their skills and qualifications effectively. In a competitive environment, only the individuals who broadcast their skill-sets, including specific software expertise, licenses and training, and their experience will stand out to hiring firms.
Architects and other professionals in the construction industry should look for construction industry-specific hiring resources online and industry-specific networking sites. These sites are designed to help people in the construction community find resources and job opportunities across the country and internationally. Just be sure to put your best foot forward to showcase your skills and expertise. These sites are also excellent resources for construction company business owners, project managers, contractors and more who are looking to hire a new architect, cost estimator, engineer or tradesman.
ConstructionConnection.com was created out of a need for a more effective and streamlined way for construction industry professionals to get matched with the right industry jobs and with the right industry opportunities. The partners of Construction Connection, both industry professionals themselves, listened to both company and individuals' dissatisfaction with the traditional job boards, the paid resume blasts, the overpriced resume services and overall lack of sympathy toward the individual candidate. They listened to the dissatisfaction from companies who post jobs only to get many irrelevant results or having to purchase high priced ads to showcase their company. Construction Connection is a patent-pending, one-of-a-kind profile creating / match-making system. The system delivers effective results. Construction Connection saves you time, money and aggravation by matching people to people, people to companies, companies to people, and company to company.
