In order to do this, you will need to make sure you have the right education, and of course that you meet certain requirements. There are two ways that you can start out in construction careers. First of all you could just jump in cold, hoping for the best. This would give you great experience, and show you what it's like to work at the bottom.
If starting out at the bottom doesn't sound good, you will need to go school and take a few courses. A degree in structural engineering or a degree in science would definitely go a long way in any construction job. You might satisfied working as a manual laborer for a while, but if you are like most people, you're going to want to move forward with your life at some point.
There are two types of construction jobs that you can strive for. One of them is an official construction job, whether it be drywall, framing, or roofing. The other type of job is under the table, which at the beginning might seem like a good idea, but we will discuss the pros and cons of each type of job.
Official Jobs:
These are great jobs, though they will conform to many safety standards. You will also have taxes taken out of your paycheck each week, and you will need certification to operate the machinery. Though this might seem to be a bit of a pain, many people prefer these safety measures over the alternative which could be serious injury or death. There is room for advancement in an official job, so long as you have the right education.
Under the Table:
These are the most common, and easiest to obtain construction jobs. They generally pay well, and you will be able to use equipment with very little training. Note that these types of jobs are technically illegal unless you plan to file taxes yourself. Also keep in mind that without the training, you may injure yourself on the equipment. In these jobs there is little room for advancement unless someone above you leaves, and a degree will not get you very far. You will need to demonstrate skill and a willingness to work overtime.
Something to note about these jobs is that you might find yourself working quite a bit more than you would in an official job. Under the table jobs will often be underfunded, and the only way for you to get paid is to get the job done. In official jobs you may be able to take your time, but this is not always so.
There are a number of different construction jobs out there for the taking, whether you plan to be a grunt worker or try to shoot for something a little bit higher. Keep in mind that in order to work effectively in jobs of this nature you will need to be physically fit, and you will also need to be accustomed to working outdoors. It can become very cold during the wintertime, and you may not realize just how cold it can get until you are standing on a rooftop in the middle of a blizzard. Is that safe? No. Is it sometimes necessary? It goes with the territory sometimes.
Finding good construction jobs is never an easy task. Sometimes you will find yourself searching for months without any results. The best approach you can take is to search online job boards to see what you can come up with. Often times you will be able to submit your application online, and you may even be able to attach a resume. Make sure you design a resume for each construction company you are applying with, the last thing you want is for it to look as if you created one resume for all of the jobs you wanted to apply for. This makes it look as if you are unmotivated, and no employer is going to hire an unmotivated employee, especially for a job of this nature. That being said, make a good construction resume, and make sure you're right for the construction job.
