What Is The Best Way To Job Hunt?

poole_3

Please comment on the below article from my constructonomics blog. Also, if anyone has any ideas for improving the blog that may help drive some traffic please let me know. I want to hear what people are looking for in a construction industry website. Thanks, John


While I sit here and write about my trials and tribulations of searching for a construction industry job during the worst market since the Great Depression, I will have you know that I in no way feel that my little pickle is any more important or news worthy than that of anybody else. However, I happen to have some experience with writing, some unexpected time on my hands, and a bi-weekly unemployment check that turns the hemmoraging into a slow bleed.

Anyway, I've done some serious thinking lately about the best way to get a job in these "uncertain economic times". While standing at a stoplight with a squeegee and a rag is probably the best way to earn a buck in the short term, I think I'm turning my attention more toward networking and away from rapid fire resume launch. I think that a few months from now will be when most companies begin hiring, and now is the time to lay groundwork, make contacts, and get in front of people's faces. There is no substitute for face to face contact when looking for a job.

Of course some will argue that the rapid-fire resume launch method into cyber-space is the way to go, but I don't see this being any more successful than launching them into actual space and having a potential employer run across it in their travels through the universe (looking for work perhaps). There are hundreds of applicants per position, and to get your docs in front of the right person at the right time who is in the right mood is highly unlikely. In my opinion, networking for jobs not advertised is a more realistic and sensible method of job hunting.

I took to the streets on Friday with resumes in hand with the intention of shoving it in the face of some potential employers and possibly getting some business cards. I did a little research of the Philadelphia construction companies and made a list of who I'd like to work for and then found out where their projects are located.

I'd rather not mess around in their corporate office right now because typically, the jobsites get the final word on who they do and don't hire. So I went straight to the office trailer of a $500 million casino that just broke ground along the Delaware River in Philadelphia and being a casualty of an expired casino project, I thought I could maybe grab a little attention.

I walked around and couldn't find the site at first but after asking some other street wanderers (I guess they got laid off as well), they pointed me in the direction of a construction site that was barely getting underway and a little single wide trailer. I popped my head in and got a look from a man in the back office of the trailer that could have easily said, "Who the hell are you?" or perhaps, "Get out of here before I throw you in that concrete pour."

I introduced myself and asked if I could drop off a resume. I also threw in how I just got laid off from a steel contractor working on the Revel Casino. He seemed immediately more interested. Construction companies will often start a project with a few "pioneers" and then add to it with people from other jobs or new hires and the workload ramps up. I got the feeling that this guy knew he had to hire people eventually.

He took my resume, but when I asked him for a business card he said he didn't have any - must have been fresh out. However, he did say I should stop back next week. I suppose that's better than getting thrown in that day's concrete pour.

easymoney

...you have a "little pickle"?

Trim40

Don't touch that

poole_3

Yes, I do have a little pickle.

Any more fantastic insight?

OGStilts

Poole-

I've seen several of your blog posts here on CT and think I have seen a great career opportunity for you.

Try this:

http://www.mcstate.com/careers/?search=careers

Good Luck.

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silvertree

Oh sh*t, here we go again

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poole_3

Thanks for the insight.

How else do you suggest I drive traffic to a blog? What? No suggestions? I'm not surprised.

Sorry for forcing you to click on my posts, I know there was nothing else to read.

Maybe this forum should be renamed www.dumbcontractortalk.com. Any thoughts?

Nathan

This site was not created for you to drive traffic to your blog. I think that's the point.

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Nathan

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot