Interviewing for construction jobs

It's important to create a strong first impression when interviewing for construction jobs. You'll want to bring your resume and a list of references with you, and you'll want to have done your research on the company. That way when you get asked questions, you'll have some facts to pull from to back up your answers.

To do research on a company you can perform a simple Google search. Read about the company on their website and their 'about' page. But don't stop there. You can also search on Google news or another news site to get the most recent articles in the news about the company. If there is a press release about a new product or a recent hire, those will show up to. It's good to know how large the company is, what their main products or services are, who is the CEO and head of the company, and any noteworthy releases that have gone out in the past year.

If the interview is for a construction job, you'll want to try to find out why the company is expanding or what new company you'll be working for. If your network consists of other construction workers, try asking them if they know anything about the upcoming project. Have they worked for this company for? What was it like? Do they know anyone else who will be on this job? Getting as much information as possible is important.

You'll want to bring an updated resume to the interview. The resume and the cover letter is the first impression you will make upon the manager. It is your ticket into the interview. You should always update your resume every six months. Research templates to see which one best-suits your career path. If you don't have a lot of work experience, highlight your internships or apprenticeships and education. You may also include references and salary preference if you choose to do so. If you are a construction worker, you should list all of the past jobs you have completed and any managerial experience you have had.

Be sure you do research on how to get to the company's address. Do a dry run the day before to ensure you don't get lost. Arrive ten minutes earlier, but not earlier than that. When you go into the construction interview, shake hands and maintain eye contact. Don't worry if you are nervous. Rarely do hiring managers discredit you for being nervous. It's a sign that you're taking the interview very seriously. You're not auditioning for an acting job, so being nervous is fully expected and won't count against you.

If you are offered water, be sure to accept a glass. It will help you refocus if your lips get parched. Take a few sips, regroup for a second, and then get right back into the interview.

Answer all questions honestly, completely, and to the best of your ability. Don't ramble on and on - be sure to always have an end to your answer and don't wait for the interviewer to cut you off and proceed to the next question. Never badmouth a previous boss or project. Focus on your strengths, mention teamwork, and ask lots of questions about the possible project.