27th October 2020

Top 7 Construction Skills You Need to Land a Lucrative Job

Top 7 Construction Skills You Need to Land a Lucrative Job

Like every career requires a particular skill set to get a job, the same follows for construction. It is a physically and mentally testing career. For a construction worker to succeed in their career, they need many skills and traits. These skills can be quickly developed with dedication and practice.

Construction jobs are demanding in nature. There are a sizeable amount of tasks and working conditions, and you need to work in small spaces, at dangerous heights, and operate heavy equipment. All this requires an amalgamation of vigour, technical knowledge and capabilities, and constructive communication skills.

Types of Construction Skills

There are specific construction skills such as carpentry, pouring cement, bricklaying, plastering, wood fitting, putting up drywall, and installing a particular kind of equipment.

Suppose you have experience in certain types of tasks. In that case, you should make sure of informing your employer about it and the amount of experience, even if it is not technically related to the job for which you are applying. Usually, employers select candidates who are multi-skilled and flexible with different types of tasks.

Different types of construction jobs are:

  • Grounds Person
  • Labourer
  • Night Floor Fitter
  • Digger Driver
  • Roofer
  • Wood Floor Fitter
  • Plasterer
  • Handyman
  • Carpenter
  • Ceiling Fixer
  • Scaffolder
  • Dryliner
  • Painter
  • Plumber
  • Pipe Fitter
  • Steam Fitter
  • Mason

To guide you excel in your construction job, here we list down the top seven skills that you will help you get a job and also work towards a brighter career.

      1. Muscular Strength and Endurance
        When you are in a construction job, you know you have to be physically healthy and ready to take up physically demanding tasks. The job will need you to have strength and stamina to execute different types of tasks on the job site. Also, it would help if you were smart about how you are using your body for tasks. If you are looking to make a career in construction, you will need to be physically fit and have a proper form and posture. This will immensely help you in safely and efficiently carrying out manual tasks, both indoors and outdoors. It will also avert difficult, painful, and costly accidents. If you are not careful with these physical tasks, you could repeatedly get injured (minor) which might turn out to be disabilities in the future.  
      2. Agility
        Yes, physical strength is essential, and so is agility. Your hand-eye coordination should be nothing less than perfect. This job would need you to stand, sit, and lie down for a long duration. Your limbs must coordinate efficiently so that you can move and use both arms and legs correctly and quickly. This job will also need you to have good eyesight. You should be able to read and understand documents, inspect details that are close and far, and clearly see dials and gauges to use the equipment correctly.
      3. Technical Knowledge
        You need to be technically sound if you want a job in construction. Many contractors are unable to reach their maximum potential because they lack experience and the right training in specific types of work. Being aware of and acquainted with tools and materials that are used in most of the construction tasks is an essential skill that you must have. You should also be familiar with various types of heavy equipment required for different tasks.
      4. Math and Language Skills
        Construction jobs involve documentation. You should be able to understand these documents and work accordingly. Your and your employer’s fees will depend on these documents. You should also be able to perform basic math; this will ensure that there is a required amount of building material. You should be able to read and write appropriately as it will be required during various tasks.
      5. Written and Oral Communication
        Along with language and math literacy, your written and oral communication skills are also crucial in construction jobs. In different projects, you will have to effectively communicate your decisions, questions, and concerns with the team and client. This will save you from a lot of rework. To safely and timely execute the work, you will have to write texts, emails, create reports, and other documents. Your written skills are as crucial as your verbal skills.
      6. Eagerness to Learn
        As the industry advances, there will come new techniques, tools, methods, and technologies will make the job quicker and easier. Many construction workers who are always ready to learn new skills, and stay updated with current practices, tend to do better at their jobs. They will also teach other team members that will benefit the entire crew, employer, and client.
      7. Comfort with Technology
        Technology is an integral part of the construction industry. To stay ahead in the industry, you need to be comfortable with using technology and adapting to its advancements. When you are eager to learn about new devices, apps, and software that will make your tasks more comfortable, you will be able to save time and deliver a quality product.We hope this checklist helps you in building your skillset and eventually get a job that you want. We wish you luck!