Last Updated on December 23, 2022 by Hooria Batool
You’ve undoubtedly experienced several successes and failures in your career as a construction project manager. Keeping everything in balance can be challenging in the construction industry because everything is constantly changing.
There is a difference between a construction manager and a successful and efficient construction manager in the specific skillsets and follow-up they provide.
Construction manager
A construction manager, or CM for short, ensures that a building project is completed on time and on budget. They oversee the different subcontractors working on site to get the job done. In addition to being in charge of management, their work also involves architecture and engineering. As mentioned above, they have to keep within a certain budget and timeline so you can imagine why they have such a big responsibility on their shoulders! It’s not an easy job but if you’re up for the challenge then you will be successful at it!
What do you need to become one?
Essentially there are two paths that you can take in order to become a construction manager: hire up through the company you’re currently employed by, or start your own company and become a general contractor. If you take the first path, it’s probably easier as you already have an in with the company so your chances of success are higher. You would just need to show through hard work and dedication that you deserve to be a construction manager. It also helps that this is a reputable company.
The other path involves starting your own firm either from scratch or by buying into a small business and taking over their contracts. There will obviously be more risk involved but if done correctly then the rewards will be much bigger at the end of the day!
In order to make sure you do well as a construction manager, there are certain certifications that you should look into getting such as: commercial building design, commercial building construction, general contracting, project management or construction supervision. These are all recommended but you will still be able to find success without them so don’t worry too much about not getting any of these certifications before starting down the path for becoming a construction manager.
How long does it take to become a construction manager ?
Most people have reported that it takes around 5 years before they can become a fully-fledged construction manager, however this varies from person to person as everyone is different. There are some that report less time and there are also some who claim more time was needed. So really your five year figure could be anywhere between 3-7 years! Still an extremely short amount of time for how much work is involved with being a CM.
What do you need to work as a construction manager?
In order to be a successful construction manager, it’s important that you have certain skills. Self-discipline is one of the most important ones! You would also want to have leadership and communication skills so that you can get your point across but also remain personable with everyone on the site. In addition, you’ll need to know how to handle stress while working in teams and individually. Being able to solve problems quickly is another necessity for this job. Lastly, it’s helpful if you’re familiar with different parts of the country since many companies work all over North America!
These are all qualities that will help you succeed in finding employment as a construction manager but there are other qualities you should possess. Street smarts, good judgment and common sense are all very necessary when it comes to working in this field.
So there are some things to consider first:
A construction manager is someone that ensures that the building project he/she is overseeing goes through without any problems. They are also in charge of making sure that the budget and time restraints are met accordingly while maintaining safe working conditions for their employees. There are multiple paths to becoming an efficient CM but regardless of which path one chooses, hard work along with strong character will certainly be enough to land them a great position!
If you’re interested in becoming a construction manager, there are some things to consider first. Make sure that you’re willing to start your own business or company as well as the amount of time it will take you to succeed at this venture. You can also ask yourself if your current skill set is sufficient enough for this type of role since once you become a CM, all eyes will be on you whether they are from employees or clients!
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Do you need an education?
There’s no real requirement when it comes to degrees but most companies do want someone with at least a bachelor’s degree before hiring them. This could make it difficult for some people who are trying to get into the field but don’t have kind of experience yet. However, if you are able to prove that you have the potential for this future job then it shouldn’t be hard getting your foot in the door.
There is no specific degree needed in order to become a construction manager but there are some kinds of degrees that will help you with your success more than others. People with degrees in sales, marketing, engineering, architecture or project management, business administration and general contracting may find it easier when they decide to apply for their dream job!
What does a construction manager do?
A construction manager’s main responsibility is maintaining safety while ensuring tasks are being completed on time and within budget. They also oversee employees along with making sure their interests are protected by both parties involved i.e. client and contractor. Construction managers also make sure that the project they are in charge of is completed successfully and oversees the final product before presenting it to their client.
How can I become a construction manager?
There are multiple ways for you to become a construction manager but starting off as an intern or working your way up from an entry level job could be key in helping you achieve your goal! If you’re currently working in another industry, it could be beneficial if you use this opportunity to enhance your previous skills such as communication and time management.
Although ultimately experience is what will help you get to where you want, gaining hands-on experience along with gaining knowledge through education is shown to improve one’s chances of landing their dream role!
