Word on RealStreet!
November 2018
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The Leading Benefits of Attending Professional Networking Events
While it is well known that networking can help professionals in a number of ways, people are often relying far more on digital tools and far less on traditional means. There is no denying that technology has enabled individuals to connect efficiently and effectively grow and maintain their relationships, but it should not completely eliminate face-to-face communication. Whether you are looking for new job opportunities, trying to develop in your current role or are simply interested in establishing relationships with like-minded architecture, engineering or construction professionals, in-person interactions can provide a great deal of value. 3 REASONS TO ATTEND PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING EVENTS Professional networking events create an ideal environment for forging connections, and the learning opportunities are plentiful. Ultimately, professional networking events can be incredibly helpful, as long as you fully embrace them as opportunities that can help you improve your network or industry perspective. CONNECTING WITH OTHERS If you are hoping to build your network to help advance your career, professional networking events are powerful tools. Typically, it is easier and faster to establish a connection in person. Not only can you ask and answer questions as they naturally arise, but you can also use visual cues, such as changes in body language, to adjust your approach. Establishing a clear back-and-forth dialog may feel more natural as well. Plus, simply being able to put a face to a name can be beneficial, as it allows the communication to feel more personal and can enable quick recognition at events down the road. LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Networking events can serve as exceptional learning opportunities. Attendees often gain access to professionals who have a depth of knowledge that you can tap, giving you anything from interesting tips to powerful insights about the industry. These events often provide the opportunity to gather information about competitors or others working in your industry. They may also enable you to better understand your strengths and weaknesses, and provide insight into what skills or experiences to leverage when you want to advance your career. BREAKING FROM ROUTINE Professional networking events are not an everyday occurrence in most peoples lives. Typically, they represent a break from your routine, which can be powerful in its own right. By stepping away from the day to day, you may find the change of scenery refreshing. Plus, your exposure to different professionals and the presence of learning opportunities may spark your creativity, helping you to innovate and solve problems that previously plagued you. ARE YOU SEEKING OUT NEW OPPORTUNITIES? If you are interested in taking the next step in your architecture, engineering, or construction career, the experienced team at RealStreet can connect you to some of the areas top employers. Contact us to discuss your professional goals today and see how our expertise can benefit you. |
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How to Prove Your Value in the Workplace
As an architecture, engineering, or construction professional, it is easy to think that your work is a clear demonstration of your value. However, it relies on a point that is not always true; that your manager has visibility over all of your accomplishments. Plus, you are counting on the notion that your manager is also actively tracking your achievements over time, and that might not be the case either. Three Tips to Present Your Merit as a Professional Whether you are aiming for a raise or a promotion, or you are thinking about making a career transition, you often need to prove yourself. This requires you to act as your own advocate. Do not assume that those who oversee your work have direct knowledge of your accomplishments. While this may sound challenging, it is often less complex than one would believe. Here are three tips to keep in mind. Communicate Regularly One of the fastest ways to enhance your visibility is to communicate regularly with your manager. Let them know what you are actively working on, what is coming down the pipe, any milestones you reach, and similar details that showcase your progress. Often, this can be done in a weekly update email using just a few bullet points or a quick catch-up meeting that allows you to touch base. By communicating regularly, you do more than keep your manager apprised of your work. You also create opportunities for them (and you) to ask questions or gather more information. Additionally, it helps you craft a closer professional relationship, which can certainly benefit you when you seek out a raise or promotion. Track Your Achievements If there are any metrics that are considered critical to your architecture, engineering, or construction role, such as those listed in job descriptions or on your performance reviews, start tracking them yourself. Actively track any major accomplishments, such as the results of completed projects, cost-savings ventures, or other activities that had a significant impact. If you continually meet or exceed expectations, these metrics give you a method of showcasing your value with relative ease. Just make sure to keep any supporting evidence, as being able to produce additional documentation usually only makes your case stronger. This could be helpful information during periodic reviews or when vying for a promotion. Consider starting a spreadsheet that contains notes on your accomplishments. Include the date or time period it occurred and a brief synopsis. Make sure scope is clear as well as important quantifiable details. Place that spreadsheet in a folder on a computer, and then add copies of any supporting documents into that file. This gives you a centralized location for any evidence of your value, ensuring you can pull the information together when necessary. Update Your Resume and Professional Profiles Regularly update your resume and professional profiles on social media with significant on-the-job achievements. It will ensure recruiters and hiring managers see your professional progress and will keep you top-of-mind as new opportunities become available. Furthermore, it will ensure you are always prepared for a job search. If considering new roles, tailor your resume and profiles to the types of positions you are interested in. Put more emphasis on achievements that are related to the role to ensure relevant content doesnt get lost in the details. Are You Looking for a New Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Position? If you are looking to land a new architecture, engineering, or construction position, the professionals at RealStreet can connect you to outstanding opportunities throughout the area. Contact us to discuss your ideal role today and see how our services can help. |
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2019 construction starts to hold steady at $808 Billion
DIVE BRIEF: Total construction starts in 2019 will inch up to $808.3 billion from the $806.8 billion predicted for this year, according to the 2019 Dodge Construction Outlook report, which was released Thursday at Dodge Data & Analytics 80th annual Outlook Executive Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. In dollar terms, nonresidential building will stay at its current level, residential building will decrease 2% and nonbuilding construction (highways, bridges, environmental public works, etc.) will increase 3%, the report found. This stabilization comes on the heels of healthy double-digit increases ranging from 11% to 14% each year from 2012 through 2015, 7% increases in both 2016 and 2017, and a 3% increase estimated for this year, according to the report. While the construction industry faces growing headwinds in the form of rising interest rates and trade tensions, Chief Economist and VP of Economic Affairs Robert Murray said that the data does not yet signal a transition to decline. The fundamentals continue to be sound, and I dont think were going to be seeing a repeat of what took place back in 2008 and 2009, he said at the event. Commercial building will see a square footage decreases in all categories warehouse, office, hotel, store and shopping center with overall value dragged down by the store construction sector, which has been disrupted by online retailers. The overall nonresidential estimates, however, are buoyed by expected growth in the institutional building sector (partly due to school construction bond measures passed in several states), manufacturing plant construction and public works construction. Read the Full Report Courtesy of ConstructionDive |
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Staffing Employment Robust in October
Staffing employment contracted 0.6% the week of Oct. 814, according to the ASA Staffing Index, edging back down to a rounded value of 102. Despite the week-to-week declinewhich some survey respondents attribute to the Columbus Day holiday and inclement weatherthe index registered at the highest level for the 41st week of the year since 2014. Temporary and contract staffing employment was 3.5% higher than the same week last year, which also included Columbus Day. This week, containing the 12th, will be used in the October monthly employment situation report that will be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Nov. 2. The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average remained unchanged at a rounded figure of 102the strongest reading for the same span of weeks since right before the Great Recession. Staffing employment for the four weeks ending Oct. 14 grew 4.1% year-to-year. The ASA Staffing Index is reported nine days after each workweek, making it a near real-time measure of staffing employment trends. ASA research shows that staffing employment is a coincident economic indicator. Reporting of the ASA Staffing Index has been enhanced. For more information, visit: americanstaffing.net/index. |
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