Job Responsibilities
As a foreman my main job is to make sure that the job production
is done by deadline dates. I spend every workday doing this. I
need to have a game plan from the moment the job starts, and I
need to be able to finish certain areas by a certain time. In the
construction industry there is a lot of working with other trades.
One item cannot be completed until another is done. Therefore I
need to be able to see ahead, and take action on certain things
that may render me from completing a task. I am the one person on
the job representing my company. Any problems another trade may
have with my job comes through me. I need to be able to come up
with a solution in a timely manner, and complete my task. If
anyone working for my company on the job doesn't complete thier
task or doesn't do it right it falls on my shoulders.
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Job Requirements
This job really requires no training. Its a hands on training.
You start as a helper, and move to a mechanic, and then a
journeyman. A journeyman is a foreman. If you are relocating
then experience will get you higher pay, but other than that its
just hands on.
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Uppers
You always get a change of senery. You do one job then move to the next. Your
never in the same place the whole year. Your always learning new things when new
items are created. You really don't get too bored. You learn things that will
help you out around the house a lot. You become this fixer upper kind of person,
and people start asking your advise on things all the time. The regular hours
are always good.
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Downers
Sometimes you feel like your going no where, and you just can't
move up. Sometimes the people you work with can be hard to deal
with. Its not the average work invironment, people kinda say
whatever they want. Sometimes you work long hours; though
overtime is optinal you don't want to pass up the money, and find
yourself with no personal time. Sometimes the jobs are far, and
can be hard on your vehical. A lot of times people don't speak
your language and its hard to comunicate and get the job done.
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Lifestyle
The only dress code is no tennis shoes, no cut off shirts, and no shirts. There
really isn't any company social events, just a Christmas party once a year. They
really will hire anybody, and you don't need education, its all hands on. There
really are two types of people that do this job: One, people just trying to make
a living and take care of thier families. Two, people that aren't really
responsible and just need a job.
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Compensation
There is no exact amount that you can make doing this job. There
is so much overtime during the summer that its basically up to you
to decide how much you make. As a helper I started out making
$8.oo an hour. Now I make $13.50 an hour. I've been doing this
for 5 years, going on 6. Some paychecks during the summer I bring
home $1000.00 a week, and without overtime I bring home $440.oo a
week. (after taxes) I usually make about $32,000 a year. Without
any overtime through the year I'd make $28,080 a year. So I make
about $4000.00 a year in overtime.
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Advice to Jobseekers
If you need a summertime job, or a 7:oo am to 3:30 job, or if you
enjoy working with your hands building things, this might be good
for you. Be prepared though that you may not fill fullfilled in
this line of work. The pay tends to allow you to pay bills with a
little left over, but you never really make a whole lot of money.
Unless you own the company. (smile)
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