If you work in the construction industry and hope to build a career in the field, you’ll want to have a plan. With any construction project, the finished product is only as good as its blueprint; the same goes for your career – and it starts with the foundation. These tips will be helpful as you are thinking of your next steps.

Forge Relationships

Building solid relationships is important in any industry. Good working relationships are built on trust and integrity, whether the relationship is with your supervisor, an underling, a colleague, or an outside vendor. Make sure that everyone you work with knows that you can be trusted and that you’re a team player. And remember: Down the line, some of the people you meet today may be able to speak on your behalf when it comes time to ask for that pay raise or promotion.

Get Certified

It’s important to learn as much as you can and to earn certifications in your field whenever possible. This will help keep you ahead of the game and make you more likely to be considered for promotions and other opportunities for advancement. If you find yourself pressed for time, consider online courses and training sessions.

Make Quality a Priority

It may be tempting to rush through a project in order to meet a quota, but this can lead to careless mistakes and inferior work. Though deadlines are a fact of life and though working quickly and efficiently is always appreciated, quality should never be sacrificed for quantity. Your boss will be happy that you took the time to ensure that the project was done well.

Ask for More Responsibility

Managers notice when their employees go above and beyond what they are asked. If you are fortunate enough to find some free time in your day, don’t wait for your supervisor to tell you what to do – take the initiative! Ask if there is another project that you could help on. Your manager and co-workers will appreciate it.

Have a Positive Attitude

Coming to work with a positive attitude does not go unnoticed. It shows your boss and co-workers that you are driven and excited about what you are doing. Not only can this lead to more construction opportunities, it also makes the jobsite a more pleasant place to work.

Ready to find your next construction job? You can get access to Building Skills NY construction job and training opportunities by checking out our Job Seekers page.