Now is the time. While countless industries are in flux, leaving job prospects in question, the world of contracting is on the rise.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction manager jobs are projected to grow 16% from 2012 to 2022 and in 2012 alone; the median pay for these jobs was more than $82,000 a year.
This is great news for men and women trying to figure out if a career in contracting is right for them.
What Contractors Do
The role of a contractor can vary widely from specialty to specialty but there are a few key common responsibilities.
Contractors can expect to prepare budgets for projects, work out schedules, and handle the hiring process of subcontractors. They often collaborate with engineers and architects and need to be responsible for adherence to safety regulations.
What It Takes To Get Started:
Schooling
While not mandatory, many prospective contractors find it beneficial to get a formal education in the field.
This may take the form of a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or an associate’s degree.
Certifications
As the article, “Is Contractor School Difficult?” explains, an education is often necessary since the certification exams can be stressful and difficult.
Different states have different regulations and requirements when it comes to what exams contractors need to take for proper certification.
Even though many of these tests will allow you to retake them, it’s advantageous to be as prepped as possible the first time around in order to save time and ultimately, money.
Assisting or Interning
Contracting is one of these jobs that require some hands-on experience even for an entry level position.
Candidates will want to spend time on-site at projects either as an assistant or intern for an already established contractor or firm. This training period can last anywhere between several months to years.
Contractors should come out of this process confident that they can handle the responsibilities of the profession.
Finding Clients
With certification and training under their belt, contractors can expect the next step to be finding clients or joining an already established company.
Even though there is an increased need for labor in the construction and contracting industry, jobs don’t just fall into your lap. Contractors will need to be proactive, self-starters who understand the value of marketing their services.
Committing 24/7
To maintain a positive career in contracting, you’ll need to remember that this is a 24/7 gig.
Even the most meticulous scheduling and tight timelines can go awry when Mother Nature intervenes. Great contractors know that they may have to work unconventional hours in order to ensure a project gets completed.
Proper certification is necessary, but the personality trait of adaptability and ingenuity is equally important.
Going into 2016, the future of contracting looks bright and by following these steps to getting started, you can take advantage of these new opportunities.
About the Author: Kristin Livingstone covers business topics on the web.