Getting Promoted at Work: Tips from Construction Managers

Any experienced professional can show up to construction jobs – but can they lead others? Your manager is more interested in your people skills than your technical skills, but it can be hard to showcase those if your job description doesn’t allow for it.

So, just what does it take to get yourself noticed? As construction recruitment specialists, we’ve learned a few things about what sets top performers apart at work. Read on to find out what a construction manager is looking for when deciding who they will give a promotion to next.

A Love of Responsibility

Nobody who avoids responsibilities gets far in construction jobs. Managers want to promote employees who are willing to get things done without waiting for someone to ask them first.

Basically, managers love those who are not afraid of volunteering to take on the extra work. Whether it’s doing a little bit of extra research, checking your work one more time or staying behind that little bit longer (within reason), you will demonstrate you can get the job done.

This doesn’t just count for when things are going well either; being able to accept your mistakes and work to improve them, rather than avoiding the blame, shows maturity and is a great sign that someone has what it takes to do well in a leadership role.

Results Focused

Being able to effectively prioritise your work to produce the best results is a good sign that you’re ready to step up. Even if you’ve got a million things to do on your list, you need to be able to identify which tasks need to be done first and which can wait for later. If a more urgent task comes in, you’ll need to be able to keep your head and can re-shuffle to comfortably accommodate the new work.

Managers will also be looking for someone who comes to them not with problems, but with solutions. Where others would seek out somebody else to solve their problems for them, the employee that will be promoted can see several steps ahead. Not only can they see problems that might arise in the future, but they’re able to come up with creative answers to them. They’re also proactive in front-footing issues ahead of time, and not afraid to ask questions or challenge existing processes but doing so in a positive way.

Leadership Mindset

Having a leadership mindset can cover a wide range of different attributes and styles of leadership, all of which can be equally successful, which can make it even more difficult for managers to single out the right people for progression. However, there are a few common factors that people look for when pinpointing leadership potential in employees.

One of these is being a leader without having the job title to match. People will often look for the person who is the “go-to” on a specific project or team; someone who their peers rely on and look to for inspiration, even if (and sometimes, especially if) they don’t have an official senior position. This is especially noticeable in a crisis, or when things generally aren’t going so well, where being able to make sometimes difficult decisions, keeping a clear head and using sound judgement, is critical.

If leadership is something that comes naturally to you, then that’ll be reflected in the way you work and you’ll likely be rewarded for that down the road. If it doesn’t however, here are a few things you can do to show you can lead without the proper authority:

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Positivity and Team-Building

Another key thing people look for is someone with the ability to build and maintain a positive work environment. Supporting the rest of your team and being willing to help others learn and develop shows your attitude and will put you in front of the mind when higher-ups are thinking about suitable leaders. When rumours and gossip are being spread, this person steps up to shut down any negativity and will focus on creating a positive work environment for the whole team.

When they succeed, they’ll share the credit with their team and everyone who has helped them. They are unselfish and have no problem acknowledging others, often helping colleagues to contribute their ideas in a productive way that ensures a great result for everyone.

The Takeaway

As construction recruitment specialists, we can advise you that getting a promotion isn’t just about how long you have worked in a role. Showing an effort and a willingness to help your team members are the ingredients for real success in construction jobs and just about any other industry!

Remember that if you’re also realistic about how long it may take to move up the ladder, our advice can help you stand out next time an opportunity comes up. If you know you’re doing the hard work, be sure to put your hand up for internal opportunities when they come along.

Connect with Construction Recruitment Specialists

Getting promoted at work is important for you in the long term, but there are roles and companies where you might find yourself with limited room to climb the ladder. In those situations, it’s wise to start looking for new opportunities. That’s where we can help! At OneStaff, our friendly and experienced construction recruitment team will help you find a role that matches your ambitions and skills. Please feel free to contact us in one of our New Zealand branches to find permanent construction jobs, temporary jobs or contract roles.