How To Get a Job in Construction

Starting a job in construction isn’t as complicated as it might seem, but there are a few important steps that can set you apart from the crowd. Employers love seeing candidates who’ve already completed their OSHA 10-Hour or OSHA 30-Hour Construction training, since it shows you're serious about safety and understand the basics of working on a site.

In this article, we outline the best strategies for launching your career in construction, taking a look at the types of jobs available and the requirements you need to land them. 

Types of Construction Jobs

With differing degrees of responsibility and skill requirements, construction occupations range from entry-level professions like laborers and flaggers to specialized roles like project managers and architects. These occupations, which all help construction projects be completed successfully, can be broadly divided into management, trades, and support functions.

Administration

Construction administration oversees the building process, ensuring compliance with design plans and specifications, including site visits, submittal assessments, modification orders, and addressing construction difficulties. Jobs in construction administration include:

• Construction Manager: Manages all parts of a project, including planning, budgeting, scheduling, and execution
• Superintendent: Oversees on-site activities, organizing workers, and assuring quality and safety
• Estimator: Determines project costs, materials, and labor required
• Inspector: Ensures that projects conform to codes and regulations
• Project Manager: Manages certain projects to ensure they are finished on time and within budget
• Architect: Design buildings and structures by translating customer requirements into plans
• Civil Engineers: Focuses on building infrastructure, such as bridges and roads
• Structural Engineer: Creates a building's structural foundation

Professionals in administrative roles, especially those managing federal contracts, may also benefit from EM 385-1-1 training to stay compliant with government safety standards.

Trades

Hands-on occupations that include building, maintaining, or repairing infrastructure, roads, and buildings are referred to as construction trades. These trades involve a variety of skilled professions, such as:

• Carpenter: Builds and installs wood finishes and buildings
• Electrician: Carries out electrical system installation and maintenance
• Plumber: Installs and fixes plumbing equipment
• HVAC Professional: Installs and maintains HVAC and air conditioning systems
• Roofer: Maintains, fixes, and installs roofs
• Glazier: Fixes and installs glass
• Painter: Applies paint and other finishes to surfaces both indoors and outside
• Heavy Equipment Operator: Operates large equipment on building sites
• Mason: Builds constructions with brick, concrete, and stone

Many trades require safety credentials before you can even step onto the job site. Completing OSHA 10 is often the first step, and trades like roofing or heavy equipment operation may also require specialized training, such as Fall Protection or Forklift Certification.

Support

Construction support roles include a wide range of positions. These roles are critical to project success because they help manage communication, resources, and documentation. Some support roles include:

• Construction Laborer: Carries out a range of duties on the job site, frequently at an entry level
• Flagger: Regulates the flow of traffic on building sites
• Surveyor: Establishes the location and measurements of buildings and property
• Safety Manager: Guarantees adherence to safety rules
• General Laborer: Carries out a range of duties, often at an entry level
• Cleanup Crew: Maintains a safe and clean work environment

Construction Job Requirements

Every construction site is its own miracle. With how many different people it takes to build anything, it’s a wonder there are any buildings at all. Every job site requires collaboration from a variety of people, including laborers, site supervisors, masons, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, concrete finishers, roofers, insulators, carpet installers, safety specialists, and nearly a million other professions.

Finding out which of these jobs appeals to you is the first step towards landing a career in the construction industry.

Basic Prerequisites

Entry-level construction jobs typically require a high school degree or GED, a minimum age of 18 years, and a current driver's license, with a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) preferred. Most employers want someone with a strong commitment to learning and growth. This is because building a career in construction requires a lot of on the job learning. You get out what you put in.  

Required Qualifications

Construction sites are no playground. With all that heavy equipment and machinery, they can be pretty dangerous places to work. That is why OSHA exists. OSHA Outreach Training is designed to help you recognize the main hazards and prevent accidents.

Before you can be hired for a construction job, some states or employers may require you to earn your OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification and receive your DOL card. A DOL card shows employers that you have mastered the fundamentals of site safety.

These trainings are a crucial part of building a career as a tradesperson or construction worker.

There may be stricter requirements in some areas. For example, in New York City, a Site Safety Training (SST) card is mandatory for all employees in the five boroughs, enforced by Local Law 196 and managed by the NYC Department of Buildings. So, make sure that you check out your local requirements to make sure you meet all necessary standards.

Experience Needed for a Career in Construction

Believe it or not, even without experience, you can find a good construction job. However, don’t think that means you can just walk in off the street and start making top dollar. In order for employers to hire you, you need training.

We previously mentioned OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 training, but you may be wondering about their importance in your career goals. Safety training is the only way that anyone in the industry can trust you on a jobsite. Employers also want to know that you are mature and disciplined enough for the work.

Completing a training program demonstrates that you have a fundamental understanding of construction work. It's also an opportunity to show that you can operate safely in construction and that you can start a challenging task and finish it.

While it is possible for you to be hired without any experience, it is only with training that it becomes possible. Let's take a look at the training process for your first construction job.

The 10-Hour and 30-Hour courses are OSHA's two primary training programs for construction workers. The 10-hour training offers an introduction to fundamental principles of safety and health. It is designed for entry-level employees. This is where you want to start.

While it may not apply to you just yet, supervisors and others with safety responsibilities are advised to take the 30-Hour course. This course provides more thorough instruction on danger identification and prevention.

If you're applying for jobs involving hazardous materials or environmental cleanup, HAZWOPER training may be required in addition to OSHA certification.

Entry-Level Positions in Construction

Now, with all this information under your belt, you’re probably champing at the bit to get your resume out there. Still, it’s a good idea to know what entry-level construction jobs you should apply for. Jobs such as: 

• Carpentry Laborer
• General Contractor’s Laborer
• Landscape Laborer
• Painter
• Commercial Construction Laborer
• Flooring and Tile Layer
• Masonry Worker
• Roofer

One of the great things about entry-level construction jobs is that they can often turn into full-time careers, where you can manage your own business or develop your talents.

OSHA Training for Construction Workers

We have said it more than once in this article, and we will say it again: the best way to begin your construction career is with training. By getting properly trained, you will set yourself apart from other applicants since you are already familiar with the job and its responsibilities. Employers in the construction industry like to see initiative.

You can find all that you need and more in the 360training course catalog. No matter what state you live in, we provide comprehensive online courses for OSHA 10 and OSHA 30. We also offer training for HAZWOPER, EM 385, NYC SST, MSHA, Forklift Certification, and courses offered in Spanish. No matter your role on the job site, or your future goals, our comprehensive catalog is designed to support your career every step of the way. Get a head start on your career by registering now!