How to Land a Top Planning or Scheduling Job: A Step by Step Guide
Getting a job at a top company can change your career trajectory.
Aside from the top pay and perks, there are many opportunities within the company, you'll be able to work and network with other talented people, and it can make your resume stand out.
Besides working on exciting projects, these companies can expose you to new systems, processes and technology.
The process of applying and interviewing can be exhausting.
To reduce the pain, below are a list of tips I compiled.
Step 0 - Prepare Yourself
Applying to new jobs is a numbers game.
You will spend quite a bit of time getting that cover letter ready, the resume polished and entering all that information into the application.
Then you will be rejected. And rejected. And potentially rejected again.
Similar to riding a bike, some people get it on the first try, others fall over and over again.
Others find that a scooter works best for them.
Step 1 - Make a List of Companies
You can’t apply for a job you can’t find.
Let’s start by creating a list of companies.
Example of Tech Companies with Large Construction Programs
Next, top Construction Companies. This will have a bit of a regional flair depending where you are but the steps will remain the same.
I find the ENR reports to be easy to use (Link). Below is a slice of their Top 400 Contractors of 2023 ranked by construction revenue.
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.
There are a variety of other lists out there. Simply Google top Contractors and you’ll be able to find what you are looking for.
Step 2 - Finding Jobs
LinkedIn is used by all of these companies to post their job openings.
You can create custom searches on LinkedIn and set up job alerts.
By doing this, you can find more jobs faster and be alerted when they post jobs.
I spend quite a bit of time looking at LinkedIn for the Beyond Deadlines newsletter where I post 3 interesting jobs every week.
The following keywords seem to show effective Scheduling jobs on LinkedIn.
Scheduler
Construction Scheduler
P6 Scheduler
Planner
Construction Planner
Primavera P6
Select the companies you'd like to find using the company filter.
Set up alerts for job postings on LinkedIn and let it do the searching for you.
Setting up alerts saves an enormous amount of time.
It also allows you to be the first to see jobs as they get posted.
In addition to LinkedIn you can leverage your network.
Reach out to key people and ask them if they know of any roles.
Step 3 - Apply to Jobs
For everything below, Jeff Su's channel is a great resource.
He produces amazing content.
Mastering LinkedIn, writing a resume, cover letters, interviewing, and what to do after you get hired are all covered.
I appreciate all the free content you create, Jeff!
Prior to applying you’ll want to get the below 4 all ready to go.
Referral
Resume
Cover Letter
LinkedIn Profile
Referral
The job market at these companies is extremely competitive. Without a referral, it's even harder.
In general, people are motivated to refer because they get paid if their referrals are hired.
Don't be afraid to ask someone for a referral.
Below is a Comprehensive Guide
Refer.me and asking people on TeamBlind.com have been mentioned, but I haven't used them.
Resume
You want recruiters to read your resume for 60 seconds and reach out.
To get you started here is an editable copy of my resume to help you out.
Several top companies have interviewed me and hired me based on this resume.
You can also find numerous free templates online with a Google search.
Templates help visually, but content is still necessary.
Your content will be unique to your background and the job you are applying to.
Don't forget to emphasize your impact. Preferably in numbers.
Rather than stating that you updated 15 schedules, describe a time when you encountered an 8 week delay or found a way to save time.
Here are some additional resources to consider watching.
Cover Letter
Cover letters have always been a struggle for me to the point that I stopped writing them altogether.
Jeff seems to have cracked the code in his video below.
Linkedin Profile
Recruiters and hiring managers will often look at your Linkedin. For very little time you can have a top tier Linkedin profile. Below are couple of resources.
Jeff’s playlist on LinkedIn is a masters class for free.
Step 4 - Landing Jobs
Over the years, I've interviewed hundreds of schedulers.
I've been interviewed countless times.
I did well in some interviews and not so well in others.
And it came down to practice.
Not practicing is the biggest mistake you can make.
Don't expect to get hired if you ramble on for 15 minutes when asked "Tell me about yourself".
Don't expect to be hired if you talk so fast that it sounds like you are being played at 1.75x speed.
Don't expect to be hired if you cannot name one of the company's construction projects or explain how it's built.
Below are questions to help you practice.
Here is a list of 26 specific construction scheduling interview questions.
Just like in an interview, have someone ask you these questions.
Below are couple additional resources
Step 5 - Post Interview
Congratulations, you made it through the ringer.
Now it's up to others to decide if you're the right fit.
I strongly recommend sending a thank you note.
And as you here's Jeff to save you once again.
Best of Luck on Your Journey
Hopefully this post provided you some tactics, tips and tricks to help you find that next job.
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