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Construction project managers see a project through from inception to completion. They oversee all the phases of construction projects, from planning to budgets to building regulations and administration. If you think this is the perfect career for you, this page will help you write an interview-winning resume to help you land that job opportunity.
The first step in crafting your resume is determining which of the three main resume formats is right for you.
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Job duties of a construction project manager
The construction project manager’s role in a project is that of a manager, an advocate, and a facilitator.
Some of the job duties of a construction project manager are:
Communicating with clients and project sponsors about budget, expected profits, and delivery date.
Analyzing prospective sites.
Procuring land.
Providing materials, equipment, funds, and support to workers, general contractors, subcontractors and construction managers.
Managing inventory to eliminate delays and oversee budget compliance.
Monitoring construction managers by conducting regular site visits, inspections, report meetings, and safety assessments.
Planning work schedules of construction crew.
Meeting with architects and engineers and discussing building plans.
Publicizing projects through media and other PR avenues.
Working with city officials to understand local building regulations.
Working with state regulatory agencies, including environmental expectations.
Construction project manager median salaries
According to PayScale, the median salary of construction project managers in April 2021 was $25.26 per hour or $75,239 per year.
Top skills for construction project managers
Construction project managers are highly skilled professionals who need specific leadership, management, and critical thinking skills to succeed at their position. Construction project managers communicate client requests or any changes to the construction crew.
To become a construction project manager, you need to develop the following top skills:
- Workforce management The construction project manager is responsible for delegating responsibility to the workers. They design and craft the work schedule with the construction manager to boost productivity and maintain efficiency while also meeting deadlines. By learning to use software like Smartsheet, RedTeam and Oracle Primavera Cloud, you can gain firsthand experience managing projects.
- Budget planning Building a budget with sponsors and clients is an essential part of this job. The construction project manager creates funding for the project based on its scope, the expected return on investment, the number of workers, and other essential factors. Building a budget requires skill and precision; however, some construction budgeting and estimating software such as Procore and STACK can help assess budgets in an orderly and presentable fashion.
- Leadership Leadership is one of the most crucial facets of being a construction project manager. You are responsible for guiding and supervising every worker, contractor, subcontractor, builder, and construction manager involved in the project. It is necessary to foster practical leadership skills to create a healthy work atmosphere and encourage efficiency among the crew. This might require you to tend to any rising issues during the construction or serve as the bridge between the client and the workers.
- Quality inspection Inspections lead to the reduction of accidents in the workplace. A construction site is a dynamic and haphazard location filled with potentially dangerous heavy machinery and materials. To excel in this role, you will be required to conduct regular site visits and surveys to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal building code regulations and observance of safe material-handling practices.
- Communication Solid communication between a construction project manager and their team members is crucial to avoiding mistakes. You should assign plans and tasks for each worker so everyone knows their job duties and can collaborate when required. Construction project managers should also be adept at using technology to coordinate with their team members, whether via email, phone and text messages, or through advanced tools like CoConstruct, Buildertrend or ProContractor.
- Industry knowledge Construction is an ever-changing industry full of innovation in materials and techniques. To be successful, a construction project manager should have a strong understanding of construction foundations while always being aware of and implementing new methods. You must know which new techniques are utilized in the industry to save money or enhance efficiency at the construction site.
Construction project manager education and certifications
A degree in Management or Construction Science is an excellent start to get this job. Still, most construction project managers have prior experience as assistant project managers or as project coordinators. This work experience is vital because it gives hands-on experience and taps into on-the-job knowledge and pointers you won’t get in classwork.
The education requirements to become a construction project manager are as follows:
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Degree
To become a construction project manager with little to no experience in the field, you will need a high school diploma, GED or equivalent and then receive your bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. A degree, such as the Bachelor of Science in Construction Science and Management offered by the University of Texas in San Antonio, will teach you management techniques and field regulations when on the job. The aforementioned curriculum is an American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) accredited program that teaches students how to coordinate and time manage multiple projects, meet industry standards, and define project budgets. -
Certifications
As a construction project manager, you’ll want to certify yourself in both the project management and the construction fronts of your career. A good certification is the Certified Construction Manager Certification offered by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). This program certifies your skills and understanding of the education imparted by the CMAA, a highly regarded construction organization in the industry.
Meanwhile, as a project manager, you’ll also want to get the Project Management Qualified (PMQ) certification from the Management and Strategy Institute and the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification offered by the Project Management Institute. The PMP certification requires the applicant to hold a four-year degree, high school diploma or equivalent, and prior experience. The PMQ certification does not require either and both credentials require the applicant to pass an exam to earn the title.
Construction project manager resume-writing tips
Creating an eye-catching resume is important for every field, and construction project management is no different. Your ideal resume will maximize your chances of being called for an interview and showcases your skills and knowledge in the field.
Follow the tips below to write the best resume you can:
- Grab their attention with a stand-out professional summary or objective statement. Seriously! Use the first part of your resume to your advantage. If you’re experienced, then write a professional summary that plays up your specialty and a major project you’ve worked on. And if you’re newly minted, make your objective all about the special, related skills you have that will help your potential employer succeed.
- Quantify your achievements. Always include numerical data in your resume when you mention achievements to highlight your expertise and concrete results. Make sure to include at least one piece of numerical information in your resume.
- Modify and alter your resume for every job. You cannot expect your resume to be one-size-fits-all for each different job. Different jobs with other employers have distinct responsibilities and requirements. You’ll want to temper your resume to appeal to the job posting you are applying for. Read through what the employer is looking for in the job description, and make sure you showcase your skills so that they will stand out as they are read.
FAQ
Critical Path Method or CPM: Developed in the 1950s, this methodology states that some tasks cannot be done unless other studies are done. Stringing these mutually dependent tasks together, the project manager can prioritize tasks and prepare a course of action. It helps in the proper allocation of resources.
Critical Chain Project Management or CCPM: Takes the critical path method further by adding resource availability to the essential tasks. It creates time between studies to ensure the timely delivery of the project.
Waterfall Project Management: Tasks are planned in sequence, one after the other, building up to the finished project.
Every task that involves a recurrent and predictable pattern or requires certain mathematical functions can be completed with construction project management software includes BigTime, FunctionFox, and Easy Projects.
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