▶️Whether you are interested in finding a job as a construction contractors, finding a job with a labour hire or just want to become a more professional labourer and get a pay rise, it is vital to know some of the most important attributes every construction worker should possess on a job site.
▶️A construction worker is the backbone of any building project, therefore, not only will you be asked to perform some of the basic tasks, but you are also required to respect some ethics or own your job properly.
It is a known fact that many construction workers tend to become too “rough”, as well as kind of unprofessional. But like in other professions, there are some basics of professionalism that can be learned.
NOT THE OBVIOUS STUFF!
✳️ In this article, we WILL NOT go deep into the basics. Just exploring Construction Work tips in general.
✅For the record, it is a pre-requirement to work as a General Labourer to:
Be physically fit
Speak conversational English
Be able to follow instructions
Work Safely - Wear PPE
Know basic math
Have a good eye for detail
Be able to time manage
...But I have the feeling that you already know that... ▶️ In this article, we'll look into the 5 of the skills to be a GREAT labourer, as well as the way you can place yourself in the best possible light.
So let's start with what a good labourer should know:
✅Construction contractors knows that the job is all about being helpful as much as possible and owns the fact that he/she is there to support the supervisor on the job execution. A good labourer is proactive (thinks ahead) and is responsible enough to work unsupervised.
Taking things slowly can help improve work productivity, find out how here.
Now let's go into the things that make the real difference:
1. KNOW THE DETAILS OF YOUR JOB IN ADVANCE
✳️Try to find everything about your future construction industry job in advance. Any employer that hires labourers will find you more professional once you already know something about the company you want to work for.
✳️ Ask the employer what you will be doing on-site, what you will be responsible for, as well as the specifics of the job you are applying for. Additionally, if you work for a labour hire, you can ask your allocator for a detailed job description.
✳️You can also ask people who are working there if they are happy being contacted by one of the potential employers you have been looking at. By doing this, you would feel more comfortable during the interview and also know what to expect when starting a new construction worker's job.
Don't be afraid of googling the task or calling other professionals so you are not completely fresh to the activity when it's time to rock-and-roll.
2. INTRODUCE YOURSELF PROPERLY📢
When it comes to starting construction jobs, the way you are introducing yourself is the first card you are offering.
▶️ Now, don’t forget about manners, so shake hands, present yourself professionally and make eye contact.
Soon after, Make sure you express who you will be working with (supervisor name and company name), why you are there, what you can do, as well as other relevant information.
When looking for work: As the building domain is a hands-on industry, construction contractors and recruitment agencies in Australia and the world are looking for new workers with tangible examples of what they have done well in the past, so:
✳️Pro tip: make sure you take pictures of your work. This alone thing is the best way of marketing yourself as a skilled labourer or tradie.
3. OWN YOUR JOB
Physical general labour work tends to be tough, however, if that is your job right now, own it.
Doing your best will lead you to be a master of it. You may think "why should I master labouring? I should master a trade", but if you did, you thought wrong.
Being responsible and having a work ethic does not depend on what rank you're on.
Strive for excellence wherever you're on the career ladder.
How to do that?
Consider that your job as a labourer is about helping and supporting your supervisor.
⬅️Although you are basically told what you need to do, your job is to help as much as you can. Try to achieve the best results your foreman wants, understand the job’s processes and be on top of things.
⬅️Anticipate what you will be told to work on, do things in advance and don’t stop making suggestions. Imagine how annoying it is for a supervisor to always tell his workers what to do and always have to keep an eye on them.
4. ALWAYS DO THE RIGHT THING
It is clear that the position of a labourer will be always associated with physically demanding tasks, right? As such, some of these requirements might include climbing ladders, digging, lifting heavy objects, and so on.... all general construction work tends to be physical.
➡️There might be a bad day out, so if you are feeling like you are lacking in performance, be honest to yourself and the others, it is part of your work ethic.
If you did not completely understand the task, make sure you ask for instructions or some kind of formal training. Being humble will ALWAYS look better than making mistakes.
➡️Maybe most of the Australian construction books won’t speak about it, but work ethic means "Doing the right things, even when no one is looking". Having a work ethic makes all the difference for any work. Keep that in mind.
Moreover, the experienced foreman is usually very good at estimating the time for execution, as well as energy management. Therefore, they can tell if you have knowledge about the job or if you're just pretending. They also know if you are really performing or just looking busy.
⚡Example: how white card as new tools can eliminate hard work in a construction project
Working on a construction site can be hard work. There's a lot of lifting, carrying, and moving around heavy equipment. But there's one new tool that can help eliminate some of the hard work: the white card.
⚠️A white card is a tool that construction workers can use to track materials and equipment on the construction site. It's essentially a whiteboard that workers can write on and then erase when they're finished with it.
This means that workers don't have to waste time writing down information on paper or trying to remember where they left things. And because the white card is erased after each use, it eliminates the need for construction workers to keep track of multiple pieces of paper.
he white card is already being used on construction sites across the country, and it's proving to be a valuable tool for eliminating hard work. If you're working on construction contractors and projects, ask your supervisor if you can try using a white card. It just might make your job a little easier.
✳️ Pro tip: It works both ways the labourer is usually the lowest rank. Don't let be used as an excuse by others to be disrespectful towards you. Your job is as important as any. Always stand for respect and report abuse any time it happens.
Learn a few tricks about respect: click here
5. ALWAYS ASK FOR FEEDBACK
Whether you will get a job through a labour hire service or directly from the employer, always ask your superior for feedback.
Feedback can be energising and motivating and has strong links to employee satisfaction and productivity. Feedback will give you the opportunity to improve their skills, and to look at themselves in a different light.
Now, when it comes to a labour’s work, asking for feedback will bring to the supervisor’s mind the actual quality of your work. You will seem interested and professional in your activity, while also being humble.
✳️ Pro Tip: if your feedback is a good one, make sure to ask the supervisor to pass it over to the superiors or your direct allocator (in case of labour hire) or the project manager (in case of the building companies). This is quite mandatory, as people in the offices don’t see labours often, neither they know how they do their work on-site.
Working hard and asking for feedback was one of the main reasons I was able to climb the ranks and found Spades Labour Hire.
Explore the curse of Knowledge and how it impacts your Labour productivity and your overall profit.
LAST THOUGHTS
Being a labourer is much harder than people actually think. But if you do the right thing and respect some very basic steps, you will be soon moved up in the ranks and grow in your career. Always strive for success and improvement.
