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What To Bring To An Interview

You’ve applied for dozens of job postings, gone through numerous phone interviews, and finally been called to a face-to-face interview. Do not show up empty handed! It is important to prove that you have prepared for the meeting, so you should bring with you the following things:

  • Your CV

Even if the employer has seen your resume already, it is advisable to have a copy with you. Be careful, do not keep it folded in your pocket and do not take it out only at the end of the interview. Print it and present it in a folder – preferably a simple one, without the logo of your former employer or other company.

  • References

Any employer will want to verify the information you provide, before making a hiring decision. Presenting some references during the interview facilitates the recruitment process and saves you from later sending emails to former managers or co-workers with whom you have not kept in touch.

  • Study certificates

This is an important detail that many candidates overlook. Even if the interviewer can read information about your studies in your resume, some of them will want confirmation, so they will appreciate you presenting your study certificates, especially when it comes to construction jobs in Colorado industry.

  • Portfolio

You can include here projects you worked on during college, published articles, personal creations, web designs – depending on the job requirements you applied for.

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A Brief History of Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are very old practices, dating back thousands of years. The Babylonian Code of Hammurabi states that skills learned can continue if “artisans teach their crafts to the youth”.

In the Middle Ages, the years of apprenticeship were performed under the guidance of several craftsmen, followed by an examination after which the apprentice could become a journeyman.

Establishing the first American colonies was based on key people brought over to facilitate the construction of a new society, by teaching their craft and supervising other people learning it. Domestic master-apprentice relationships were common in Europe, so the first people coming to America brought them with them naturally. Back in those first days, apprentices relied on their “teachers” for pretty much anything, including food and shelter.

The industrial revolution changed the apprenticeship system, especially with the Fitzgerald Act, which promoted the furtherance of labor standards of apprenticeship and the obligation to include them in physical contracts, agreed by employers and apprentices alike.

In the 60s-70s, labor and civil rights organizations started calling for better reform. These reforms created additional apprenticeship opportunities for different social categories and provided better payment and other benefits.

Nowadays, apprenticeships when considering jobs in Denver Colorado are a very good way to start a career and learn while working, earning money and creating a reputation.

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Five Questions You Should be Prepared to answer in an Interview

What can you tell me about you?

Most interviews start with this question and the way you answer it will make the first impression. If you stumble upon an answer and you are not sure what to say, it will show a lack of self-confidence. On the other hand, if you start bragging about achievements and talking too much, your ego may seem too big. You must find out how to look confident, without displaying infatuation.

Why do you want this particular job?

When an employment manager asks this question for jobs in Colorado, they not only want to know why you want to work for them, but also how much you actually know about the company.

Why are you looking for a job?

This question may seem harmless, but this is how interviewers eliminate people who are either looking for a job, have been fired from the last position or may have a high turnover rate, which means that they will not stay around too long. Focus on the positive aspects and be specific.

What do you expect from your future colleagues?

Many employers ask this in order to understand how you see yourself working in a team.

Where do you picture yourself in the next few years?

Focus on your career goals, be honest and realistic.

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Four Ways to Use LinkedIn to Get a New Job

LinkedIn is a social networking site for professionals. The central point is represented by business, career and professional relations. But what not everyone knows is that many companies now recruit directly from LinkedIn.

To take full advantage of LinkedIn, you need to learn the following:

  • How to create a remarkable profile with which you can apply directly to jobs posted on the network, and even be contacted without applying. In this sense, use Headline to say that you are looking for a job in the field that interests you. This way, any comment you publish, any post you write and any interaction you make, will display the Headline under your name, saying that you need one of the perfect Denver jobs.
  • How to build a solid network of partners to interact with and rely on. Use the Search box and the People button, to find the right ones for you. Give them a Login request and leave them a message telling that you could be useful for the company they represent.
  • How to get actively involved in the activities of groups, associations, forums, thus making you visible in a network of professionals. LinkedIn allows you to send a certain number of messages per month to people with whom you are not connected, but you still share membership in at least one common group.
  • How to find the companies you are interested in and follow them. Make a list of the companies you are targeting and follow their activity. This way you will see when they list vacancies.
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Essential Tips for Interviewing Over Video Conferencing or Phone

Interviewing over video conferencing or phone has, in most cases, taken the place of the common job interview we knew before the “COVID era.” Now candidates are expected to present themselves in a professional manner as they speak on the phone (usually on recorded calls) and try to win over the companies that they wish to work for.

While preparing for your interview and thinking of your lines, it’s good practice to put yourself in the place of the job interviewer. Imagine having to listen to or watch dozens of candidates every day, and think of what might make one (you) stand out from the crowd. Then simply take notes on it and practice it in front of the mirror or over a voice recorder to see how your voice sounds.

If the interviewer can see you, and especially if your webcam has HD quality, make sure you dress as you would for a regular job interview. Wearing a shirt and possibly a tie should be a given, and it’s also important to make yourself presentable by freshening up, combing your hair and keeping it simple – like, avoid wearing too much makeup or too many jewelry items.

Finally, remember to smile, be yourself and present your skills and abilities in a plain and simple manner. Don’t try to overcompensate for any lacks you might have or tell the interviewer what you think he or she wants to know. Instead, be transparent about your flaws and assertive in your speaking style.  Find some of the best construction jobs available at https://www.buildcolorado.com/.

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10 Techniques to Keep Your Cool Before and During a Job Interview

Job interviews can be very stressful. As you prepare and as you go into the interview, there are a few very important techniques and things you can try to calm yourself, stay focused, and keep your cool:

  1. Jog or do an easy or moderate exercise routine 1-2 hours before the interview. It will help get the blood pumping and oxygenate your brain so you can be lively and inspired during the interview.
  2. Try doing some yoga postures and do a 20-minute guided meditation to calm your nerves.
  3. Meet up with a friend and get the interview off your mind, or seek emotional support from them.
  4. Spend time with your pets. The calming effects of petting a cat are even documented by science.
  5. Spend some time reading a book or an article on a topic that interests or motivates you.
  6. Watch one of your preferred episodes of your favorite show on Netflix for inspiration and a better drive towards success.
  7. Focus only on your positive traits and why the company might want to hire you.
  8. As you go into the interview, keep in mind that the people you are meeting are still people, and think of common daily activities – like eating breakfast or struggling to wake up in the morning – that they might have an issue with.
  9. Take a few deep breaths before going in.
  10. As you’re waiting, rehearse some of the things you’ve read about the company and remember why you’re there. It will give you focus as you prepare to go in.

Build Colorado of Denver offers great opportunities for you to start a career in the construction industry, so don’t let the stress of an interview get in your way.

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Profiting from the Growing Surge in Digital Networking During COVID

With many businesses and public events closed, it can be harder to network. If you’re looking for a job, you want to increase your contacts for business purposes, or you want to meet mentors and investors who can help you grow, you’ll have to rely on digital networking until all this blows over. Fortunately, digital networking is enjoying a surge in popularity, as many companies and workers have found online chat, social media, conference calling and various other commercial platforms, to be extremely helpful in keeping ties with the right people and discussing new projects.

Online networking platforms like LinkedIn can be used to contact and talk to businesses and employers throughout the country. Email and social media are also enjoying a surge in popularity, and you can benefit a lot by improving your writing skills, dressing up your social media account to look its best, and finding catchphrases and expressions that will impress your potential new employers or business partners.

If you already felt more comfortable behind a computer screen than in the limelight at a social event, then this is your time to become active and make yourself noticed. Use digital networking to your benefit, and you can greatly increase your exposure, getting noticed by important and reputable companies, and securing your career with one of the great jobs in Denver Colorado even more than you could have before COVID started.

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A Look at the Major Construction Job Projections for Colorado in 2021

A recent article by the Denver Post showed that Colorado construction companies are still struggling in finding workers who are willing to fill all the jobs in the industry. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions and setbacks, there are many construction projects that are still in play in Colorado, as well as many investors who are hoping to start more work on transforming Colorado’s major cities in 2021.

The job projections for construction jobs in Colorado are, of course, not as optimistic as they were before the start of 2020, but they are still more favorable for workers than in many other areas. Even though more than 400,000 construction workers throughout the US lost their jobs since March, the Colorado construction industry is still growing and still looking for talent.

The prospect for 2021 shows that, even if you’re not qualified, or you don’t have more than 1-2 years of experience as a construction worker, you can still find excellent opportunities to work and train your skills in the state of Colorado. Despite the fact that some of the skilled trades can take years to master, many companies are willing to offer training and support even for workers who have never tried construction work in the past.

If you want to work in construction in Colorado, however, it is advisable to make your move sooner rather than later, as with so many people looking for work throughout the country, some of them will likely move to Colorado and fill up many of the available positions.

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How Do You Deal with a Gap in Your Employment History?

So you want to get one of the new jobs in Colorado, but you’re worried about what your future employer might think about a long gap in your employment history. After all, there may be a lot of concerns here, especially if you quit your previous job unexpectedly and then avoided finding a new one for an extended period of time.

The main idea to remember here is that the employer doesn’t actually care what you did in that period. What they care about the most is whether or not you’ll be likely to do it again. As such, they’ll be looking for candidates who have a good reason for avoiding work – such as caring for an aging family member or trying to start their own business.

Your main goal is that, if you are being asked about that period, you should explain it briefly and clearly. Don’t add a lot of personal details, and avoid any sentences that would make it unclear as to whether the situation was resolved or not. It’s important to stress the fact that the situation has been dealt with and that your main focus, in the long run, is to establish your new position and stay with the company for an extended period of time, focusing on being 100% committed to your new work.

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What Will Be the Seven Fastest Growing Construction Careers in the Next Few Years?

Did you know that there are estimates of a growing construction industry including Denver jobs and other major cities that could bring about 700,000 new jobs by the year 2024? Despite COVID-19, the goals of investors and industry leaders are to keep building newer and better structures, and their ambition will require new technologies and new workforce in the years to come.

While all this is going on, experts also believe that the following are the seven fastest growing and most potentially profitable careers in construction that you can aim for in the next few years:

  1. Project managers will be in higher demand because many construction companies will branch out to take on more projects at the same time.
  2. Electricians will be needed to install wiring and wire new technological equipment including advanced electronics for smart houses and IoT technologies.
  3. With taller and more hi-tech buildings on the horizons, the profitable profession of elevator installer and repair person will also grow in demand to a considerable extent.
  4. Plumbers will also be sought out for their expertise with installing water systems.
  5. Solar panel installation experts are already in demand because of the growing use of solar panels for reducing buildings’ dependence on the grid.
  6. Craftsmen and brick masons will be needed as a result of a growing interest in the use of masonry.
  7. Finally, as there is more focus on reducing energy consumption, insulation contractors will be required more frequently as well.