5 Signs You Need a New Career

5 Signs You Need a New Career 5 Signs You Need a New Career Do you dread Mondays? Feel like Fridays cant come soon enough? Its normal to have a bad day at work from time to time, but if you hate your job week after week, thats a sign its time for a change.But how do you determine whether you need a new job or an entirely new career?If youre on the fence about taking a new direction in your professional life, here are five questions to ask yourself1. Do I Lack Passion?Think about the big-picture outcomes of your profession. Do they make you feel excited or apathetic? Your career should be more than a paycheck it should align with your personality, purpose, and values. If you still get a charge when you think about the why behind your career field, then you likely just need a change of environment to reignite your passion.On the other hand, if you no longer find meaning in your professions mission or, worse, you fundamentally disagree with it its time to find a new career better s uited to your goals.2. Am I Proud of What I Do?When someone asks what you do, are you quick to tell them, or do you try tochange the subject?If youre good at what you do and proud of your profession, you dont need a new career. Youll likely find renewed happiness with your work by moving to a new company with better procedures, policies, or politics.A new career may be in order, however, if youre embarrassed by what you do or if you no longer feel a personal connection to the profession.3. Do I Have Skills?Think about the skills your career requires. Do you find them challenging, meaningful, and exciting? It doesnt matter whether youre naturally gifted in unterstellung areas it matters if enjoy them.If your answer is yes, then look for a job that will fully utilize your skills. If your answer is no and you have an irrepressible desire to try something new or a feeling that many of your natural talents are going to waste, then you should seek out a career that answers your truecalli ng.4. Am I Exhausted All the Time?You spend more waking hours at work than anywhere else. Unhappiness there can spill over into all parts of your life and leave you feeling tired, worn down, or ill.If you suffer from chronic stress and fatigue despite making positive changes in your personal life, your job may be the culprit. If youve already changed jobs and still feel the symptoms, your career may need a shift.5. DoI Feel Trapped?Do you wonder how you ended up in this profession? When you think about work, are you resentful? Youre not alone. Many professionals make all the right choices for their careersbutstill feel unfulfilled. Thats because they made choices based on external expectations, not on what felt right in their guts.Acareer shouldnt feel like a prison sentence, and its never too late to make a change. Regain a sense of control by coming up with a plan. Determine where your passions lie and how you can turnthem into a career, then come up with action steps to make it h appen (going back to school, for example).Jodie Shaw is the chief marketing officer for The Alternative Board (TAB).

Interview Tips for Introverts

Interview Tips for IntrovertsInterview Tips for IntrovertsInterview Tips for IntrovertsHow to handle the dreaded face-to-face - and nail it.Your resume looks great, youve polished your cover letter to perfection, and your skillset is a good fit for the job position to which youre applying. The only thing that stands between you and a new job is the bewerberinterview.If youre among the estimated 50 percent of the U.S. population who identifies as an introvert, the prospect of interviewing for a new job can be especially terrifying.While introverts are often skillful listeners a trait that will come in handy during the interview process they often struggle to meet other expectations set by the interviewer, such as a powerful first impression, quick, well-composed answers delivered on the spot, and ease in front of a complete stranger.As an introvert, are you doomed to fail at interviewing? Definitely not.Below are nine interview tips to help you and introverts everywhere overcome yo ur fears, survive the interview process, and get the job.Interview Tip 1 Prepare for the interview.Set aside ample time to prepare for your interview. The more prepared you feel for an interview, the easier it will be to remain calm and confident when you walk into the interview room.If freestyling your way to an answer is not your strength, dont put yourself in that position during an interview. abflug by re-reading the job description to get a sense of what skills and experience the hiring manager is looking for in a job candidate. Then, study your resume and consider how you meet these requirements. Think of real-life examples from your work history that illustrate your qualifications. This will help you prepare responses to behavioral interview questions you may be asked.Research common interview questions and brainstorm your answers. The goal is to jot down a few notes on how youd address the question, rather than write out and memorize each response like a script you dont wan t to risk sounding rehearsed and unnatural.In plus-rechnen to reviewing the job description and rehearsing your interview responses, do some additional research on the organization, the hiring manager, and anyone else who is scheduled to meet with you. Use sites like LinkedIn to get a better idea of the hiring managers background, such as his or her school affiliation, work history, professional associations, and hobbies and interests. This information will come in handy when its time for the pre-interview small talk every introvert fears.Related The Complete List of Essential Interview Questions to AskInterview Tip 2 Record a video of yourself in a mock interview.With a tripod, a cell phone, and a helpful friend, you can stage and record a mock interview in under 30 minutes. Yes, it really is that simple. Minimal time and money invested, and great instant feedback on what the interviewer sees.As you review the video, pay attention to your willingness to make eye contact and smile. Are your shoulders relaxed or stiff? Do you look scared and uncomfortable, as if you are in an interrogation room with a spotlight on you?Count the number of times you said um when you were unkoranvers how to begin your response. If you notice this as a trend, consider spending more time in preparation. Try pausing for a moment or using an opener like That is a great question or I am glad you asked this, to give yourself a little more time to think through your response before you deliver it.A mock interview can give you a brutally honest look at what you need to fix in order to shine when it really counts. Be prepared that it wont be pretty on the first pass and embrace its lessons. After all, you would rather get these mistakes out of the way without an actual job offer hanging in the balance.Related How to Make the Most of a Mock InterviewInterview Tip 3 Be sure that the job is a good fit for your temperament.No matter what your temperament is, chances are that any job will requi re you to step out of your comfort zone at times. The key is to choose a position that honors your natural preference most of the time. Think of it as an equivalent to standing on your head. With some training, virtually everyone can do it for a short while. However, no one should be expected to stand on their head for eight to 10 hours a day.Just be sure you are interviewing for a job that will make the greatest use of your natural strengths. Pay attention to the interactions with your would-be coworkers and manager, take the time to understand the daily responsibilities and workflow, and imagine yourself doing the job. Does it offer you a balance of time for private reflection and outside interactions? How much energy will the job take, and how much will you get back from the joy of doing it?Interview Tip 4 Build in some solo time before the interview.An interview requires a significant energy output for you. Treat it accordingly. If you recharge and prepare best in solitude, be s ure to give yourself that solo cushion before the interview to be at your best. Remember that needing quiet time for yourself is not a sign that you are not cut out for the job it is simply a recognition and an honoring of how you prepare to do your best work.Related 7 Things to Do the Morning of Your Job InterviewInterview Tip 5 Remember your strengths.You are a powerful listener and a great observer. Those are superpowers in an interview setting Listen deeply. In todays distracted world, people dont get the luxury of undivided attention all that often, and the interviewer is bound to appreciate it.Many introverts are wonderful at forming one-on-one connections with people once they get to know them. Because things have to move um ein haar in an interview, heres a trick to put your introversion and ability to connect to good use Go into the conversation pretending that youve known the hiring manager for years.It seems silly and simple, but it works every time because you skip the emotionally awkward stranger stage. Hiring managers seem to appreciate it after all, having a stiff and shy candidate is no fun for them, either. Interview Tip 6 Be prepared for small talk.Oh, the dreaded small talk. Since you cannot escape small talk in an interview, heres a tactic to try.Head over to the interview meeting 20 to 30 minutes ahead of time and find a local coffee shop. Stop in for a cup of coffee and a bite, and then ask the interviewing manager whether he or she has ever been there. You have a conversation topic and an opinion to share in your back pocket and its not about the weatherInterview Tip 7 Think of aspects of the job that genuinely excite you.One of the biggest risks with an introverted personality is that you may come across as disinterested in the position. To combat that, give some thought to the parts of the job that you are truly excited about.Perhaps it is a chance to solve a difficult puzzle, lead a department, or make a difference. Whatever you ch oose, think of that during the interview, and your enthusiasm and energy will shine even if you are naturally reserved.Interview Tip 8 Dont brag, inform.Many introverts are genuinely uncomfortable talking about their success. Whether its because of a natural inclination to deflate our contributions or because of a childhood admonition to not boast, this tendency can put you at a disadvantage in an interview. After all, the hiring manager uses your past success as an indicator of future contributions to his department. If you are uncomfortable with talking about your success (bragging), reframe it as reporting the facts, or restating what others have said. Your goal is to inform the hiring manager to make the best decision. Interview Tip 9 Allow time to recharge and decompress after the interview.Build in a post-interview Do not disturb block of time. Go for a walk, sit in a coffee shop and decompress, or take a nap. The job search is a marathon, and it does not serve you to burn you rself out in the first two miles.In closing, remember that introversion is not a curse. Just because you are naturally quiet and thoughtful does not mean you are doomed to fail at interviewing. However, it will require you to prepare, work on your demeanor, and be ready to show up more open and relaxed than you typically would in a first interaction. That effort will take energy, so honor your need to recharge and recover. With these interviewing tips, being an introvert will become your superpowerLet TopResume do the bragging for you. Start with a free resume review today.Recommended Reading5 Tips for Delivering the Perfect Elevator Pitch7 Signs You Aced Your First InterviewAvoid These Common and Costly Interview Follow-Up MistakesRelated Articles

Congratulations! Youve Gotten Your Degree Have You Considered A Federal Job

Congratulations Youve Gotten Your Degree Have You Considered A Federal JobCongratulations Youve Gotten Your Degree Have You Considered A Federal JobCongratulations Youve Gotten Your Degree Have You Considered A Federal Job?The government is hiring New Grads and Interns Many college students list the US government as one of their top targeted employers. Read about the Best Places to Work in Government. The New Graduate Federal Resume is much different than the typical two-page private sector resume. Recent graduates need to learn about how to expand the resume to give more details about your education courses, papers, projects, technology, teamwork, presentations, writing, and MOREA GREAT GRADUATION GIFT GET THE BOOK See 7 samples to help you get Best Qualified for a Pathways Internship or Recent Grad position. Kathryn Troutman teaches classes at government agencies to current Pathways interns who are in the government and want to move UP.Here are a few tips that youll need to know for your Federal job search and information that can be found in the Students Federal Career Guide, 3rd EditionTip 1 Learn how to search for PATHWAYS internships on www.usajobs.govTip 2 Learn how to find the KEYWORDS for your federal resume.Tip 3 Federal resumes must be longer (3 to 4 pages) and more detailed.Tip 4 Draw on your student experience as well as academic activities and community service for your first resume.Tip 5 Be sure you use your veterans preference if you have it.Tip 6 Dont wait to create a resume until you see an announcement. HELP YOUR NEW GRADUATE BEGIN A FEDERAL CAREER The best graduation gift is the only book available on writing a competitive Internship and Recent Grad Federal Resume for US Government JobsStudents Federal Career Guide, 3rd Ed., Paul Binkley, Ph.D. and Kathryn TroutmanSeven samples of correct student federal resumes with emphasis on Education Available as print book, PDF, Kindle.

How to Tell Your Boss Youre Pregnant at New Job - The Muse

How to Tell Your Boss Youre Pregnant at New Job - The MuseHow to Tell Your Boss Youre Pregnant at New Job Dear Working Parent,I just started a new job this week and need to tell my manager that I am four months pregnant. Whats the best way to go about the discussion?Signed,Soon-to-Be MomHi Soon-to-Be Mom, Im both a working mom and a manager, so I see your plight from both sides. As a mom, I know that despite laws to protect against workplace discrimination, the system isnt perfect and that your job-related concerns are, unfortunately, valid. As a manager, Id want to know as early in the process as possible. Whether your manager is supportive or bedrngnis, theyre still human and could react negatively to the news. They put a lot of effort into hiring and might be concerned about how theyll absprache with your inevitable prolonged absence. You can acknowledge that and give them some time to process, but as a new mom, you still have to remember to put yourself and your health first. Her e are a few things Id advise before going into the conversation.1. Know Your RightsIts important to be informed about the state law and familiar with your companys parental leave policy before beginning the conversation. The federal Family and Medical Leave Act allows for three months unpaid leave, but only if the company is over 50 employees and youve been employed there for over 12 months. You can check your state laws right here. The rules at each company are different, but you need to go into the conversation with realistic expectations about what a company should or can offer. Remember, regardless of whether they offer paid leave or not, it is illegal for a company to terminate you due to your pregnancy- before or during a leave. 2. Have a PlanYou should be prepared to let your manager know how you plan to prepare for any leave youre taking. This might be hard because youre still new, but Id recommend being prepared to discuss how you plan to organize your work and responsibili ties before your absence. Muse co-founder Alex Cavoulacos wrote this article about how she prepared for her maternity leave, complete with a handy worksheet that can help you.Using a framework to prepare can help reduce anxiety for both you and your manager. Know that youll also have a lot of appointments as the babys due date gets closer, so make sure that you have a plan in place for how youll communicate those with kollektiv members in advance.3. Dont Be a MartyrBecause it sounds like youre nervous about telling your manager, this can be tempting. Dont offer to do anything that youll regret later such as working through your maternity leave or coming back to the office before your leave is up. Depending on state law, you might need to come back earlier regardless. But if you have three months, Id try taking as much of it as possible. New motherhoods different for everyone and, while I know there are certainly women who start working after two weeks (sometimes by choice, sometimes by necessity), your body might need time to recover and it can be hard to adjust to sleep deprivation during those first few months. Be prepared to set clear boundaries during that conversation with your boss. Its better to under-promise now and over-deliver later.One of my favorite managers once told me a Bryan Dyson quote Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them- work, family, health, friends and spirit- and youre keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls- family, health, friends and spirit- are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.I know firsthand that this can be a stressful time. Youre not only preparing for the upcoming arrival of your baby, but youre als o worried about what will happen with your career. Try to remember that, while your new job is important and likely a financial necessity, your health, the health of your child, and the overall wellbeing of both of you are irreplaceable. Protect them as much as possible. This article is part of our Ask an Expert series- a column dedicated to helping you tackle your biggest career concerns. Our experts are excited to answer all of your burning questions, and you can submit one by emailing us at editor(at)themuse(dot)com and using Ask a Working Parent in the subject line.Your letter may be published in an article on The Muse. All letters to Ask an Expert become the property of Daily Muse, Inc and will be edited for length, clarity, and grammatical correctness.

16 career decisions that make no logical sense

16 career decisions that make no logical sense16 career decisions that make no logical senseEven Leonard Nimoywould agree its only logical to use his life as a teaching tool.On February 27, Nimoy, the actor who played Mr. Spock on Star Trek,died at age 83 from pulmonary disease. Millions of fans turned to social media to express their grief and appreciation.After all,the actoraccomplished the greatest mission in the known galaxy. He lived long and prospered.Yes, we all want successful careers. Yet too often, many of us make choices that are, well, illogical. And thenwe figure the job market is out to get us or we suffer from bad luck. Hardly.Avoid these 16 poor choices, and your chances at successwill improve.16 Career Decisions That Make No Logical SenseJob Search1.Only tell employersyoure a hard worker and successful Oh, really? Says who?Give peoplethe proof.2.Begin a cover letter with Hi, my name is Nope. Go withamemorableshort storyand turn heads.3.Fail to quantify yoursuccess on a resume How much? How many? Otherwise, you sell yourself short.4.Label aresume as myresume.docx Yea, you and 250 other people. Include your full name and the job you want.5.Do everything via email Take a deep breath. plektrum up the phone. Make stuff happen.Job Interviews6.Assume you can dress casually because so many offices skipthe suit and tieroutine Dress better than you have to. Fight for the job you want.7.Neglect to bring copies of your resume or work samples Umm, I can just email them to you later if thats OK said the person who wont landthe job8.Have no questions prepared for the interviewer (like these gems) Nope I think you answered everything already said the person who DEFINITELY wont land the job9.Never send a thank-you note after the interview Writeone within 24 hours and handwritten is even more impressive.10.Respond slowly to emails throughout theinterview process Be on your game. All. The. Time.Networking11.Go on and onabout yourself and never ask about other s Instead, use thesix most important wordsin networking.12.Throw out the stack of geschftsleben cards you collect at the end of the night Go back to your desk, send an email and continue theconversation (template here).13.Decide not to reach out to key people because you dont want to bother them Its cool. Your career will take off on its own.14.Fail to appreciate thepeople who help you along the way Right, people love itwhen they extend themselvesand you never say Thanks. (template here)15.Do all your networking online Shake some hands, make eye contact and GET OUT THEREOne final poordecision16.Wait for good things to happenTake initiative all day, every day. Its the only logical choice.This article originally appeared on DannyRubin.com.

Resumes De Trabajo Secrets That No One Else Knows About

Resumes De Trabajo Secrets That No One Else Knows About Technically, states dont collapse directly owing to a sovereign default event itself. Nonetheless, these exemptions change from state to state. In a few nations, like the United Kingdom, bankruptcy is limited to individuals, and otzu sich kinds of insolvency proceedings (like liquidation and administration) are applied to companies. A bankruptcy may not be annulled until this document welches lodged. Heres What I Know About Resumes De Trabajo The purpose of this paper is to assess the degree of scientific evidence on visual screening to specify whether existing recommendations are appropriate. A plan cannot exceed the five-year limit. So, now it is possible to observe how a notion is translated in specific contexts. Thats a potent idea. Creative While its important to get a professional resume, sometimes just a little creativity and innovation is acceptable. Regardless of what, make sure to include relevant skills in y our resume. By making a resume, youll be better prepared for interviews and other job correspondence as you will have already established your targets and skill collection. Possessing multiple versions of your resume may be an effective method of tailoring your experience to a specific role or industry, Sandusky states. This format might not be ideal in many conditions, but used wisely it can be a potent method to showcase your abilities. Then think about a few basic questions to enable you to clarify which format would be ideal for you. You may also take a look at some resume templates to find a feeling of how you might format your resume. A lot of the templates on this website are our own design. Want to Know More About Resumes De Trabajo? After a finished bankruptcy for a business, its terminated. In the United States, its almost not possible to discharge student loan debt by filing bankruptcy. If a home or car is above a particular price, the bankrupt can get the int erest back from the estate as a way to keep the asset. For instance, a bankrupt must get the permission of their trustee to travel overseas. Sorry, Naughty Dog doesnt provide any internships or student work-study opportunities at this moment. Learn more This course will help you become promoted. Information Planet is prepared to assist their students to locate work that permits them to cover their expenses while in Australia. Resumes De Trabajo Options For instance, in work listing for an overall construction laborer, they may say they want someone with experience operating heavy equipment. Featuring only the experience and abilities that mirror the job needs of the position youre seeking can continue to keep the length in order. Additionally, it contains a resume summary at the very top to highlight her key abilities and experiences. You may conclude with your education or other information a prospective employer would want to understand. It doesnt apply to state-run bu sinesses. Aligning talent acquisition to your companys goals and company needs is part of a provider long-term growth. Recruitment consultants often utilize ATS too. I have years of cross-functional expertise in both the hiring industry and the cannabis business, and Ive written effective resumes for just about every single amount of job seeker within this field from trimmers to CEOs. Furthermore, you can look for data entry jobs on Monster. Resumes dont need to be difficult to create, they dont need to be time-consuming, and they dont need to be intimidating. A resume is merely a single tool in a comprehensive job search. After youre in a position to articulate what youre searching for in work, utilize this criteria to steer you in your search. Uploaded resumes arent searchable. Most simple resumes can be produced in one hour and after that you are able to move on with your work search. LinkedIns data found that women are less inclined to rely on their networks and more i nclined to hunt for jobs on third-party sites and internet job boards. Following your account was established, you can construct an application. There are a couple of dozen different resume templates readily available online, but the majority of them suck. All our resume templates are in Microsoft Word, thats the simplest program to use. The Rise of Resumes De Trabajo Its a great question but much less easy to answer as you could think. This example statements may provide you a few ideas about how to compose a productive objective. Jobseekers must understand that the skill information is among the absolute most important things to include. So even when you never wind up running an organic social networking campaign, youll still discover a lot of value in the HootSuite training program. Treat it like youre working there already. Also, let your buddies know that youre looking and ask whether you can email them your resume to supply an educated idea of your experience and abi lities. Youre going to want to be certain youre being honest about your skills, but this is a good approach to stand out to an expected employer. For instance, if you managed a group of construction workers, say how a lot of people you managed.

Im A Diversity Candidate Heres How I Advocate For Myself

Im A Diversity Candidate Heres How I Advocate For Myself Brittany Williams is a Marketing Associate at PowerToFly where she works tirelessly to place underrepresented women in positions across Americas top companies.Growing up, my parents would often give us affirmations to repeat. The call-and-response nature helped provide the foundation for our self esteem, and I quickly learned to fold them into my identity. One mantra went I am cute and smart, which sounds kind of silly now, but it welches incredibly important to me then. In a society where black girls frequently arent told they are beautiful or intelligent, Im grateful my parents were deliberate about making sure we understood our value. This doesnt mean I didnt struggle with my self-esteem, particularly with how I looked all girls do. But, when all else failed, I knew that I could fall back on reminding myself of my intelligence. I was usually one of a few black students in my classes, working twice as hard to get half as much respect as my white peers, but I believed in my intelligence and that propelled me forward.It wasnt until college, where I stood-out as a diversity candidate, that I simultaneously realized how much I had to prove the mantra my parents had told me to repeat throughout my childhood. Coming from a small-ish, sheltered town in Florida, often times your reputation precedes you. But both college and every step thereafter are different. No one knew or could vouch for me. Keeping my head down and working hard just werent enough. I had to adapt -- learn new ways to advocate for myself. And this is now the reality of who I am, both as a woman and a black person. As a diversity candidate, I walk the precarious line of being desperately sought after while simultaneously combating the systemic obstacles of my identity. My actions are read differently from the actions of my non-black peers, and because of this I must take extra steps to ensure my own success in all aspects of my life, especiall y my career. Here are just a few ways I advocate for myself in my professional life.Dont Undersell When I received my first job offer out of college, it wasnt quite what I had hoped. Knowing that women shy away from negotiations out of fear theyll be penalized, I was slightly discouraged, but I knew this was my chance to go to bat for myself. Armed with some stats from sites like Glassdoor and Payscale, I got on the phone with HR and negotiated a nearly 10% raise. Know your worth and demand that you are compensated accordingly. If youre feeling stuck, check out our tips for salary negotiations.Lean In And Try Or Else Opportunities Will Pass YouA few weeks ago I went to an event for women in the marketing field. One of the pieces of advice really stuck with me Lean in and try or else opportunities will pass you by. It completely changed my perspective and has encouraged me to speak up and ask for mora responsibility.Because we are women, the saatkorn behaviors that are read as assert ive on our male counterparts are often read as aggressive on us. This can be incredibly frustrating, but we cant let it hold us back from reaching our goals. When an opportunity to take initiative or pursue a creative interest presents itself, ask yourself, What do I have to lose? If the answer is nothing, create the space to expand your skillset and broaden your knowledge base. Find a mentorThis is probably the most difficult way to advocate for yourself. If youre like me, you might find it hard to reach out to people and ask for help. But, feeling this way means you need to act more than ever. Im lucky to have found people who can teach me things both in and out of my field, but it required that I step outside of my comfort zone and ask for help. Mentors provide invaluable resources as you navigate your career, so seek out people who are doing things in your industry that you both admire and respect. Its important to be specific here. Instead of saying I want to be just like you, specify what it is that you want. Say things like, Right now I am doing x, but one day I want to be doing x, can you help me figure out a path there? Specificity is key and can ensure that both you and your mentor are getting the most out of your relationship.Surround yourself with people who can vouch for you.This tip comes in gurke when conventional metrics by which we measure success cant really speak to our accomplishments. I learned this lesson quickly in college. I surrounded myself with with a community of people who could attest to my passions and interests -- a community of people who could encourage me to keep pushing. As you navigate your career things are bound to go wrong. People get the wrong impression of you, or you might receive a bad performance review, but its important to have people in your corner who not only know the truth, but who can also advocate for your work ethic and passions. Nurture these relationships as you continue to grow, youll be better for it. As a Diversity Candidate, its hard to advocate and put yourself out there. I get it. But, finding the courage to stand up for yourself, will only benefit you. As you grow and continue to learn throughout your career, these skills will provide a crucial foundation for all of your future success. 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 more 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 more 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 and 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 l eadership 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 earned an ave rage 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.