Women at Freddie Mac

Women at Freddie Mac One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot mora to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop mora innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance an d problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions ear ned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.

Remember These Cover Letter Musts

Remember These Cover Letter MustsRemember These Cover Letter MustsA cover letter isnt fakultativ equipment when it comes to your resume in fact, its the only chance youll probably get to communicate directly with the hiring manager. Your cover letter is your chance to shine, if youre really up to the task. Some job-seekers treat these valuable documents as little more than an introduction to their resume, but cover letters can be so much more if you invest the time to craft them well. Dont forget these cover letter mustsWhats In It For Me?Perhaps the biggest mistake job seekers make, from resume writing through executive resume writing, is formatting their job package as a list of characteristics and events, but completely forgetting the obvious question every employer needs answered. When someone reads your resume, they dont just want the facts, they want to know how those facts can be applied to their particular problems the Whats In It For Me? Factor.Sure, you have management s kills, but your cover letter is a powerful place to showcase how that can be translated into a real benefit for the employer. Selling yourself is just like selling a vacuum cleaner your best features arent enough, the world needs to see how they translate into solutions.Your Knowledge of the CompanyIn order to really wow your future employer with the benefits you can bring to the company, you have to understand what it is that they do and how youll fit into the framework. This is where your research skills will come in to play. Get online, read up on the company and find out exactly what makes that corporate heart beat.Show your employer you bothered to understand the company by including a short statement or two that demonstrate how youll fit into the corporate culture and how your experience is pertinent to the particular position youre applying for. Remember, your resume is meant to enhance your resume, so dont just regurgitate whats on that document nows the time to elaborate. Tell them how your last job welches all about customer retention and since theyve been losing revenue to the competition, you think youre the perfect person to bring about a stop to the problem. Even if youre just looking for a job in the mail room, theres something you have that youre bringing to the job that no one else can offer figure out what that is and showcase it in your cover letter.Some Indication You Want the JobBelieve it or not, its not considered bad manners to ask for the job youre seeking in some subtle way in your cover letter. Many employers like to see that a future employee is enthusiastic about working for their company, so be koranvers to end your letter on that note. A simple, Im looking forward to your call can suffice, but its even better if you set plans for future contact. Instead of asking them to call you, tell them youll be doing the calling and be specific name a time and date for your follow-up.Cover letters are more than a fancy introduction for yo ur resume, theyre a partner in your job-seeking process. Take advantage of this powerful tool and youll soon find employers competing for your attention.