Steps to Become a Construction Superintendent
A construction site includes several employees performing different tasks. Leaving such a vast number of workers unsupervised can affect the quality of work done. Therefore, it is crucial to have a construction site superintendent to ensure each task is properly completed.
Companies are now hiring more construction workers to fulfill the increasing labor demand. In 2022 alone, the construction industry has recruited 650,000 additional workers, apart from their usual hiring to meet the deadlines and needs.
This rising demand means more superintendents are required on the field. To become a construction superintendent, you can achieve your goal in five steps. Keep reading to learn about them.
Construction superintendent job overview
A construction superintendent supervises the construction team and leads general operations on the field. This job includes:
- Invoicing
- Leading contractors
- Working closely with other supervisors
These professionals also ensure all the safety rules and regulations are followed at the site. It is one of the most critical parts of the superintendent’s job.
A qualified construction superintendent can also improve productivity in the field. But they must know how to use software platforms like Bridgit to streamline their workflow and achieve better results.
How to become a construction superintendent
Becoming a construction superintendent requires proper qualifications and experience like any other job. You can follow these step-by-step instructions to land the ideal construction superintendent job.
Step 1: Get the required qualification
Generally, your high school degree and GED are enough to qualify you for a construction superintendent job, and it’s possible to get your ged online from many reputable institutions, so getting your GED has never been more convenient. However, having a proper degree in this subject will help you get a position with better annual pay.
Search for programs that provide a complete education for construction work. This will show the recruiter that you have extensive knowledge about each process, letting you supervise and lead with great detail.
You can, for example, get a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Civil Engineering, or Construction Science. Most employers prefer candidates with a degree, since they can understand the technical aspects of construction much better.
Step 2: Acquire practical experience
A degree is not the only important aspect of getting a construction superintendent job. You also need practical experience on the field to show you can handle day-to-day operations. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, it’s important to have enough experience to make up for it.
To get a few months of experience before applying for a job, you can go for an internship at a reputable construction agency to polish and implement the skills you have learned.
Interning as a construction assistant can get you sufficient field experience, allowing you to put everything you’ve learned in college and university into action. Moreover, your internship certificate proves that you don’t need extra time for initial training, as you are already aware of on-field operations.
Step 3: Update your skills
Apart from your degree and experience, you must upgrade your skills to supervise other construction workers. Your skills determine your ability to practice everything you have learned during your degree and internship.
You can upgrade your skills by getting different certificates. For example, a Safety Certificate ensures that the candidate can provide maximum safety protocol on the field.
Moreover, becoming a Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Project Management Professional (PMP), and other certifications improve your chances of getting a job with higher pay.
Construction superintendent skill set
A construction superintendent should be proficient in these skills:
- Strong communication
- Good leadership
- Efficient problem-solving
- Professionalism
- Interpersonal skills
- Great planning skills
- Resourcefulness
- Ability to work under pressure
- Delegation
- Technical skills
Step 4: Create a convincing resume
Once you acquire the necessary education and experience, create a convincing resume with all your achievements and skills clearly mentioned. Your resume should be no longer than one page and have a compelling objective.
You can use an online resume making-tool to help make your ideal resume. Remember, a good resume creates an outstanding first impression, so pay extra attention when writing it.
Here is how you can write a compelling resume:
- Start with a clear and convincing objective of no more than two lines.
- Then, mention your education, certifications, experience, and skills.
- Next, highlight your technical skills, as they hold the most value.
- Finally, make sure to display your achievements and awards in your resume.
- If you’ve earned a performance bonus or certificate from your previous job, you can add it too. This will show how efficient you are in your field.
Step 5: Apply for a construction superintendent job position
Lastly, you need to apply for the best construction superintendent jobs in your area. You might find a list of job openings within your area.
List the companies that fulfill your requirements and apply to a few places. Look for companies that provide employee benefits and offer a good pay scale. Then, apply with your updated resume mentioning the exact position you are applying for.
Construction superintendent’s average salary
The average pay scale of a construction superintendent is $77,552 per year. However, most superintendents get $1,000 to $16,000 as a yearly bonus. However, the average salary of a superintendent also depends on their qualifications and work experience.
The salary for experienced construction superintendents can go up to $117k a year. This means the pay scale increases more than 12% with greater experience. You can also negotiate your payment according to your additional skills and certificates.
The best part is that most construction superintendent jobs include medical and dental benefits. These perks cover up for any damages caused during work.
Conclusion
From budgeting the supplies to ensuring all the safety regulations are met, a construction superintendent makes sure the process goes smoothly.
As a construction superintendent, you should have intermediate knowledge of every aspect of the construction process. Moreover, you must have strong leadership skills to manage the entire workflow on and off the site, and know how to handle all types of software to manage every detail, such as keeping your project docs organized and your team focused. It could be a lumber estimating software or landscaping job costing estimator, depending on the specific needs of your project. These skills will ensure that you can effectively communicate with all stakeholders, resolve any issues that arise, and ultimately deliver a successful construction project on time and within budget.
You can easily land your dream job with proper education and practical experience in the field. However, remember that a degree is not enough to be in high demand as a construction superintendent. You need to have relevant certifications too!
