How to Become a Construction Planner or Scheduler
The step by step process to landing your first job as a Construction Planner and Scheduler
Hello and Welcome,
Welcome to Beyond Deadlines’ course on becoming a skilled construction planner or scheduler! We are thrilled to have you embark on this journey with us. Whether you're just starting your career or transitioning from another field, this course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to get into the field of construction planning and scheduling.
Over the next several modules, you'll discover the fundamental principles, techniques, and tools essential to landing that first construction planning or scheduling job as we provide you with valuable insights as you work toward your goals.
Remember, learning is a journey, and we're here to guide you through it. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance. Let's get started on this exciting path toward a successful career in construction planning and scheduling!
What We Believe
1. Careers in construction planning and scheduling and planning lead to rich lives
Nearly every construction project requires some sort of plan.
A guide explaining how the thing will be built.
It's unknown to most that planners and schedulers have many high-paying careers.
You can work anywhere in the world on projects that will benefit future generations.
2. This career is accessible to everyone
Don’t have a college degree? No problem.
No experience in construction? No problem.
In construction but looking to transition? No problem.
3. Our goal is to help you realize your dreams
There were few tools and resources available when we were on the rise... so that’s where we come in.
To change that and fill in the gaps, we offer everything you need to get from A to B.
Certificates, degrees, and company vaults shouldn't be the only means of education.
Building a career around the knowledge from this course can help you achieve your goals.
There are thousands of Construction Planners and Schedulers around the world who are thriving in their careers.
We are here to help you unlock the secrets and join them.
Course Overview
And suddenly, you know: It's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.
Meister Eckhart
The goal of this course is to help you land an entry-level position as a Construction Planner or Scheduler.
This may seem audacious at the moment.
However, you probably don't realize how easy this could be.
Demand for planners and schedulers remains red hot, and we’re here to help you capitalize on that.
There are even several career trajectories that can earn you $250K+ per year.
But this requires you to take the first step.
Our team has been scheduling construction projects for a long time at the biggest companies, delivering the craziest of projects.
We've distilled that knowledge and experience into five lessons.
Intro to Scheduling
Three Key Skills
Find Jobs
Land Jobs
First 90 Days
Please note that from now on, I will only use the term Scheduling instead of "Planning and Scheduling". From an entry-level perspective, they are similar.
Google Docs Version of Content
A Sample Timeline
Every individual is on a different journey. Below is our recommended timeline, but it can be done slower or faster according to your needs.
Part 1: Intro to Construction Scheduling
When the destination is invisible, the path feels impossible.
Adam Grant
Part 2: Start with ‘Why’
Why become a construction scheduler?
It’s an important question that needs to be answered.
It’s also a personal question that will be different for everyone.
It will empower you on the journey you are about to take.
When times get tough, it will be your lighthouse to guide the way.
Take a couple of moments and write down your why.
Part 3: The 3 Key Skills
Overview
This module covers the three skills necessary to land an entry-level job in construction scheduling.
You will be applying to entry-level jobs, so full comprehension isn’t required.
However, the deeper your understanding, the better your chances of landing a job are.
Construction
Phases of a Project
The Roles and People
Delivery Methods
Scheduling
Foundations of a Schedule
Different Types of Scheduling
Basic Terms of Scheduling
Software
The Right Tools
Basic Abilities
How to Get Good
Basics of Construction
By the end of this lesson, you will have a good understanding of the basics of construction and be able to apply that knowledge to land a job.
What is construction?
Construction is the process of building structures, such as buildings, roads, and bridges. It is a complex process involving many steps, from planning and design to site preparation and building materials.
The different types of construction
There are many different types of construction, including:
Residential construction: Building homes and other residential structures.
Commercial construction: Building office buildings, shopping malls, and other commercial facilities.
Industrial construction: Building factories, warehouses, and other industrial systems.
Infrastructure construction: Building roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects.
The stages of construction
The construction process can be broken down into the following stages:
Funding: Providing the necessary money to allow the project to be constructed (there are typically several points of funding across a project).
Planning and design: Developing the concept for the project and creating the plans and specifications.
Site preparation: Clearing the site, excavating the foundation, and installing utilities.
Building construction: Erecting the structure and installing the finishes.
Finishing and outfitting: Installing the fixtures and equipment and completing the landscaping.
Maintenance and repair: Maintaining the structure and repairing any damage.
Worth Reading and Watching
[Read] Fundamentals of Building Construction Management
[Read] Project Management for Construction
[Watch] 12 Steps of Construction
[Watch] Construction Basics: Roles and Relationships
[Watch] Lecture 1B Introduction to Construction Management
Principles of Scheduling
In this lesson, we will cover some of the basic principles of scheduling. By the end of it, you should know the building blocks of a schedule and how they come together and be aware of the key industry terms.
At its core, the schedule is meant to be a tool to help deliver the project on time.
Each layer of added complexity is supposed to improve the schedule’s ability to help deliver projects on time.
Starting with some basics
The above represents the bare-bone minimum of a construction schedule.
These blocks are present in any solution: Critical Path Method, Last Planner, Line of Balance, etc.
Not present in the diagram is duration, how long activities take (Ex. 5 days).
We’ll focus on the Critical Path Method because it’s the underlying algorithm of Primavera P6.
Once you have activities, durations, and logic, then we can apply calculations to help us understand what the schedule is trying to tell us.
The three primary calculations you will be asked about in interviews are Critical Path, Total Float, and Free Float.
Over the years, I haven't seen many people ask you to calculate by hand.
However, you should be able to explain it without tripping over yourself.
Adding in structures
As an entry-level scheduler, it is unlikely you’ll be thrown into creating an entire schedule from scratch.
Most likely, you’ll be given a smaller subset of the project and have a framework build- around.
It’s important to know the structures that will make up your schedules. The key ones include:
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Calendars
Project Codes
Activity Codes
Resources
These structures allow for easy filtering, sorting, and analyzing if done properly.
Before building or updating a schedule, it’s a good idea to know what these are.
Building a schedule is a collaborative effort.
As a scheduler, it’s your job to turn the people’s ideas into a complete schedule.
There are a couple of strategies to do this effectively when you are new to the role.
The first is to realize the basic steps.
Gathering Information
Contract documents that include the scheduling and contain contractual delivery dates (when the project is due) and the schedule specification (how the owner wants the project scheduled).
Engineering and design documents (what is the building made up of).
A Project Manager or Superintendent’s building plan (how the building is going to be built).
Procurement Log (everything that needs to be bought for the project).
Subcontractor input (companies that are building the project).
As an entry-level scheduler, most of these will seem unfamiliar.
That’s 100% okay, but you will be asked about them in interviews as companies want to know if you are knowledgeable about them.
Inputting Information
Different companies have different styles when it comes to building schedules.
Some companies will perform pull plans that eventually get translated into P6.
Others ask the schedule to build a first draft and then have it reviewed in a group forum.
Figuring out if a company has a preferred scheduling building process is a great question to ask during the interview.
Progress & Review
Once a schedule is built, the next step will be to add the construction progress to it.
There are different types of progressing methods.
You’ll cover these more in-depth in the next section.
The point of progressing is to update the plan with the latest known information.
Did or didn’t things go according to plan?
If equipment showed up late, what happened to the schedule?
If the foundations are ahead of schedule, what happened to the schedule?
Whatever the method, realize that people are looking to you to tell them what happened.
Analysis & Reporting
You’ll soon realize that there are infinite ways to report a schedule.
Typically, a company will have several standard reports for you to run.
A couple of the most typical are:
Critical path activities
3-week look ahead
Project milestones
Comparison / Variance to baseline and the latest update
Understanding why someone would want these reports is vital to nailing an interview.
Critical path activities - if these move, they will significantly impact the project
3-week look ahead - what work is planned in the short-term
Project milestones - how contractual or big moments are doing
Comparison - whether the schedule is trending positively or negatively
Putting it All Together
This section is content-dense.
There’s a lot to take in and remember.
However, it is also one of the most important.
~30 to 50% of your interview will be about principles.
It simply isn’t practical to have you schedule a project during the interview.
This means testing how well you know and can apply your principles is the next most effective thing.
A Quick Note on Certifications
PMI and AACE both offer scheduling certifications.
Enrollment in these certifications does require experience.
Since this is an entry-level course, we assume some won’t meet the experience.
If you are able to make it through the gate, it doesn’t hurt to have these under your belt.
We’ve known people who didn’t have the experience but could write and be able to move forward.
Without experience on your resume, these certifications can give you a decent boost.
Worth Reading and Watching:
[Read] How to become a Primavera Project Planner
[Read] An Introduction to the Management Principles of Scheduling
[Read] The ABCs of the Critical Path Method
[Watch] Best Free Videos
Scheduling Software
Construction scheduling requires software. Like anything, there’s a variety out there. For our purposes of landing you a job, we’ll focus on Oracle’s Primavera P6. It’s the most used software in the industry, giving you the highest chance of landing a job. Once in the industry, it’s easy to branch out and follow what interests you.
How to Install a Trial Version of P6
Three Ways to Get Familiar with P6
Method 1 - Take a paid course
By paying, you put skin in the game and will finish
Provides you with a certificate to add to your resume
Method 2 - Watch YouTube videos
Free supplement to a paid course
High-quality, subject-specific content
Method 3 - Experiment by building fake schedules
“The best way of learning about anything is by doing.” - Richard Branson
Add these schedules to your portfolio when you apply for jobs
The method we prefer? All three!
Enroll in a Paid Program
Below are the programs we recommend:
Primavera P6 Foundations Online Course v.21 - Planning Academy ($997)
Primavera P6 Professional Fundamentals + Best Practices - 10 Six Consulting ($550)
Learn Primavera P6 Mentor Sessions - PJM Scheduling Services ($45 per 15 minutes)
Watch Youtube Videos
[Read] How to Become a Primavera Project Planner
[Watch] Best Free Videos
Make Fake Schedules
This is one of the fastest ways to increase your knowledge.
Start building schedules.
Use a project or something you are familiar with.
Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:
A house
A tree fort
A home remodel
A grocery store
The more you poke around, find buttons, and see what works and what doesn’t, the faster you’ll reach a proficient level.
You can download a trial version of P6.
Or you can sign up for a free account with Aphex or Smartsheet.
These provide you with the basic functionalities to get the hang of creating activities, logic, modifying duration, WBS, etc.
Don’t forget to add progress to your fake schedules to see what happens.
Part 4: How to Find Jobs
Overview
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to search and find entry-level construction scheduling jobs.
Three Places to Search
LinkedIn, Indeed, or another similar site based on where you are in the world.
Company websites (Top 400 Contractors)
Remember that there are other options, too!
Networking events and job fairs are also excellent opportunities.
LinkedIn & Indeed
Master your keyword searches:
Entry-Level Construction Scheduler
Entry-Level Scheduler
Entry-Level Planner
Entry-Level Primavera P6
Filter for experience as “Entry-Level”
Check the locations in which you want to work
Try “Entry-Level and “Entry Level”
Once your searches show relevant jobs, set up alerts to reduce having to search from scratch in the future.
Industry Job Boards
Job boards are a great place to find jobs.
The volume will be lower than the other sites, but good jobs often arise.
The three we prefer are ENR, CIC, and AACE.
These sites don’t have alerts.
Set up a recurring event and include the site links for frictionless checking.
Company Websites
Most companies have career pages now for their job postings.
The top companies to work for can be found with a few quick Google searches.
You can search for…
Top General Contractors in the World
Who Builds the Most Data Centers
Biggest Projects in the World Starting in 2024
With just a few minutes of research, you can find companies that interest you.
Go to their websites and look for jobs.
Remember to set up a recurring event and include the site links for frictionless checking.
For graduates, top-tier project companies have graduate funnels into Scheduling.
A few examples of these are Bechtel, Skanska, and BAE Systems.
I recommend sending in your cover letter and resume, even if there are no jobs posted.
It’s minimal effort, and there’s no harm in being on the top of the pile.
How to Select Jobs
Make sure you are looking at a Construction Scheduler job.
Some schedulers work in call centers, nursing, and manufacturing.
By reading through the job description, this should be obvious.
Check out the company
Once you’ve found what you think is a good fit, check out the company’s website.
What caught your eye and resonated with you?
Are there any projects that interest you?
Do you connect with the company’s culture or values?
Choosing a job is mostly a matter of personal preference
Who do you want to work for?
What do you want to work on?
Where do you want to work?
How much do you need to make?
Do you have time to be picky, or do you need a job immediately?
Outside of individual discretion, there are responsibilities and experiences that matter.
The job market today is full of people looking for unicorns 🦄.
Entry-level roles asking for 5 years of experience. Seriously?
Entry-level roles looking for MBA and Masters. What?
My recommendation is to box above your weight class
Any job that requires experience of 5 years or less —> Apply
Any job where you believe you can do ~60% of the posting —> Apply
Applying to jobs is a numbers game
It’s relatively rare to find that one perfect job.
If you're transferring from another career, there simply won’t be one.
No one is looking for a former high school teacher who decided to become a construction scheduler.
But, do you know who they are looking for?
Someone who has:
Proactively learned the basics.
Has amazing organizational skills.
Is comfortable leading workshops (these won’t include frog dissection).
Always shoot your shot.
Part 5: How to Land Jobs
Overview
This module provides you with the necessary skills and tactics to land a job, asking what we’ve learned in the previous sections and utilizing it to apply to positions.
We’ve hired and helped hundreds of people land jobs with this strategy.
It’s 100% doable; you just have to be willing to commit yourself to the process.
Remember that the better you are at interviewing, the more likely you’ll land a job.
Becoming good = practice.
Interviewing is a competitive process.
You won’t always land the first job or what you think is the perfect job.
Keep at it, and don’t give up.
Craft Your Story
People hire compelling stories
Why do they want this job?
What qualifies them for this role?
How do we know they’ll be successful?
You can package this up in a story that is uniquely you
Build the Package
What does a good resume or CV look like?
What are some of the keywords and phrases that make you stand out
How your cover letter can bring your story to life
Including a portfolio of work
Interview Tactics
How to prepare
Presenting your best self
Answer 85% of questions with 3 examples
The most powerful questions to ask at the end of the interview
Craft Your Story
Each person has their own unique story.
People look to hire the story that best fits the companies' needs.
For entry levels, this is massively important.
No one will have this wealth of experience to overcome a mediocre story.
Your story shines through your resume, cover letter, and duration of the interview.
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to create a compelling story about yourself.
What is a story?
Which do you think is more memorable?
A. I was an account executive at a medical sales company for the last five years. At this job, I helped sell a variety of devices to clients across the West Coast. In the last quarter, I led the team in sales, and I handled some of the biggest accounts. During that time, I realized sales wasn’t quite for me, so I’m looking to transfer into construction scheduling.
or
B. Over the last five years, I have worked in medical sales. Nearly every hospital I visited had ongoing construction; these projects fascinated me because their scale and lasting impact left an impression. Many of the skills I learned in sales, like organization, communication, excel mastery, and helping people, are very transferable to construction.
The story you craft answers two fundamental questions you should nail during the interview:
Tell me about yourself.
Why are you a good fit for this job?
When done right, it can leap you ahead right out of the gates.
Authenticity
People can smell bullshit from a mile away.
And even if you could fool others, you won’t fool yourself.
If you don’t care about construction in the slightest, go find another gig.
But if you do care, make sure that shines through your story.
Creating Your Story
There are 3 main components to creating your story:
You - What are the experiences that make you uniquely you?
The job posting - Requirements of the position.
The company - The ethos you will be joining.
Take a moment to think about each of the three andnswer the prompts below.
Don’t worry about the length. Just start by writing what's on your mind.
What have you been doing lately?
Why are you interested in construction, construction scheduling, and this company?
How are the skills you have relevant to this job?
Polish & Practice
Take the above and now edit it.
Practice saying it in a mirror.
Practice sharing it with a friend.
Your answer shouldn’t be robotic.
It should have some heart and character in it.
Now, use this story when speaking with recruiters and as you go forward in the interview process.
Build the Package
Honestly, creating a cover letter and resume from scratch is painful.
But in this lesson, we will provide you with templates to start with.
We also point out meaningful nuances recruiters and hiring managers want and look for.
By the time you are finished, you will be able to confidently submit a cover letter and resume.
Example 1 - No Professional Experience
Example 2 - Unrelated Professional Experience
Example 3 - Construction Experience
Resume Templates
Resume and Cover Letter Review
There is nothing that will lose you a job faster than a bad resume.
Ugly looking, hard to read and bad grammar will get yours thrown in the trash bin.
Have people review and read your resume.
You can even pay people using Fiverr or similar services.
I’m a big fan because it’s fast, cheap and they do an excellent job.
LinkedIn Profiles
It's essential to have a LinkedIn profile at this point so recruiters and hiring managers will be able to find you.
There are loads of jobs posted on LinkedIn.
Oftentimes, having an established profile makes them easier to apply for.
You can showcase skills and highlight work.
Watch the content below and take the time to create a professional page.
Worth Reading and Watching:
Cover Letters
Write an Amazing Cover Letter: 3 Golden Rules (Template included)
The 4 Sentence Cover Letter That Gets You The Job Interview
Resume
Write an Incredible Resume: 5 Golden Rules!
How to Write the Perfect Resume Career Profile
5 Resume Mistakes You MUST Avoid (with real examples)!
LinkedIn Profile
How To Make a LinkedIn Profile With No Working Experience (2023)
The LinkedIn Profile That Will Have Recruiters Reaching Out To You Weekly | tips & examples
5 MUST-KNOW LinkedIn Profile Tips for Job Seekers!
Nail Your Interview
Interviewing for an entry-level scheduler job is fairly similar to any other job interview.
We've linked a ton of content below that covers the standard bits.
There are scheduling subtleties you won't find on the web, however.
I have successfully interviewed at Google, Intel, and several other companies.
While at these companies, I interviewed hundreds of potential schedulers, and I have learned some valuable lessons from being on both sides of the table.
Practice
There’s no real way around it.
If you want to be good at something, you have to practice.
This is 100% true with interviewing.
Have someone interview you and record yourself.
Here is a list of 30 interview questions to practice.
Ask Questions at the End of Any Interview
You should never, ever, ever, ever end an interview without asking a few questions.
There are several positives that can come by asking specific questions:
You’ve done more homework than the other candidates.
You reveal that you are curious and eager to learn.
You can show that you’ll be fun and enjoyable to work with.
You’ll learn if the company and team are a good fit for you.
Every non-role-related question should go to your recruiter.
Don’t waste a precious interview question with, “What holidays do you observe?”.
Questions that will perk an interviewer’s ears are:
If I get this job, flash forward a year. What made me successful?
Is [Insert Project] struggling with [Insert challenge you researched]? If given this job, would I be able to [Insert potential solutions] solve the problem?
What are the current goals that the company is focused on, and how does this team work to support hitting those goals?
Come with 2-3 prepared questions to ask per person you are speaking with.
3 Types of Questions You’ll Be Asked
General - Standard Anywhere Questions
Tell me about yourself.
Why do you want this job?
What’s your biggest weakness?
Technical - Specific to Scheduling or Construction
Define critical path.
Describe the phases of construction.
What are the different activity types in P6?
Tell me how a [insert project] is built.
Hypothetical - How Are You Thinking About Solving a Problem?
A project manager tells you that an activity is delayed 2 months; what do you do?
If a client requested a project deadline that you believed was unrealistic, how would you handle the situation?
If a contractor consistently delivers their project updates late, what would you do?
Nailing the Three Types of Interview Questions
General
Have canned answers practiced and prepared.
Don’t be the person who stumbles through or rambles for 12 minutes on the first question.
You should be salivating to answer, “Tell me about yourself.”
Technical
Each person has their favorite technical questions to ask.
You’ll either know the answer or you won’t.
One hack if you don’t know it…
Answer the question describing how you think it would be used and be beneficial to the situation at hand.
Example - Can you define SPI?
Answer - The actual calculation slips my mind. But what’s not slipping my mind is how this metric can be utilized. By using the project progress, we can calculate the SPI and judge on-time delivery. Filters and reporting in P6 could analyze which activities are gaining or losing traction. We could further slice the data by critical activities to provide a project manager with specific focus areas to get the project back on track. This is something I feel comfortable doing based on my experience.
Hypothetical
These situational questions are intended to test your ability to think critically.
You are being tested on your ability to deliver certain job responsibilities.
Don’t immediately jump in.
Take a moment to think through the question.
Below is a mental model that works for me.
Clarify if needed. Ask for clarification to provide context for anything too ambiguous.
Identify the problem. Some problems can be taken at face value, and others are more deeply rooted.
Example - Each month, the project schedule continues to slip. What do you do?
Problem - Surface | Activities are late, deeper | Projects late, even deeper | Is the schedule accurate?
How you frame the problem will directly influence the solutions you bring to solve it.
Lastly, it will provide the perfect close to your question.Provide possible solutions. Rarely ever do you want to provide only one.
If you have experience, use the starter, “When I worked at…”Address how you would prevent this problem from happening in the future.
This is a big one in construction.
It’s a repetitive industry with repetitive processes and projects.
The same issues arise constantly, so you need long-term thinkers.Finish with a quick 1-2 sentence summary.
A nice close demonstrates effective communication.
Interviewers will also be taking notes and may thus miss some points.
This provides them space to catch up.
Final Thoughts
Interviewing is a numbers game.
Even when you feel the stars have aligned, you’ve found the best company, and you crushed the interview...
It might not work out.
You have to dust yourself off and try again.
On every mental map after a crisis or adversity, there are three mental paths. One that keeps circling around where you currently are (i.e., the negative event creates no change; you end where you start). Another mental path leads you toward further negative consequences (i.e., you are far worse off after the negative event; this path is why we are afraid of conflict and challenge). And one, which I call the Third Path, that leads us from failure or setback to a place where we are even stronger and more capable than before the fall. - Happiness Advantage
Be sure to send a thank you note.
Kindness goes a long way, and you never know; they might end up calling you back.
Worth Watching:
Basic interview strategies
How to Get the Job When You're Not Qualified | Advanced Interview Techniques
How to Ace a Job Interview: 10 Crucial Tips
How to Look Good on Video Calls - Skype, Zoom, FaceTime | Video Interviews
Questions to Ask
5 Clever Virtual Interview Tips According to Psychology - Ace that Zoom!
13 good questions to ask in an interview | impress the interviewer and land the job
End of Interview Questions | Job Interview Tips
Part 6: First 90 Days
We don’t want you to simply land a job.
We want you to begin your journey in a long and successful career.
Worth Watching:
Starting a new job - FIRST 90 DAYS in a new job, and how to build a 90 day action plan step-by-step
14 TIPS to Start Your New Job - First Day at Work - How to make a great first impression
How to Introduce Yourself at a New Job (Make a GREAT First Impression)
FAQ
Questions About the Course
Q. How long does the course take to complete, and how many hours per week should I expect to work?
A. The course is 12 weeks long, and we estimate spending roughly an hour per day on it. Keep in mind that a lot depends on where you come from. We’re all different individuals with different lives. If you are a fresh college graduate with minimal expenses and a ton of free time, you could blast through this course. If you already have a full-time job, a couple of kids, a mortgage, and limited free time, it might take longer. The course is fully open once you sign up.
Q. Can I still get a job as a construction scheduler if I currently work in a field unrelated to construction or scheduling?
A. Absolutely! Some of the most talented schedulers we’ve worked with come from teaching, biology, sales, IT, etc. Regardless of the role you are currently doing, there will be numerous transferable skills. Planning, communication, organization, problem-solving, and workshopping are all skills you probably use in your current role that can be utilized for construction scheduling. It will be up to you to show the interviewer how your current skills can be applied to a scheduling role. But we'll explain more during the Land a Job lesson.
Q. How long does it usually take?
A. Each person is different. Someone with zero work experience has a decent possibility of landing a job within 3-4 months. Someone with construction experience might only need one month. It depends on quite a few factors.
Q. What makes Beyond Deadlines different from any other program out there?
A. Ours is free! We are the only company that specializes in construction and construction scheduling. Our team has worked for multiple Fortune 500 companies and on some of the largest capital construction programs in the world. We've interviewed thousands of potential schedulers for our roles. Over the years, we've managed hundreds of schedulers, giving us a wealth of knowledge and experience. But it's not enough to be special. What really makes us special is that we want to use all that we've learned to help others. There's nothing we want more than for you to find a job and succeed in your career.
Questions About the Job
Q. What’s the day-to-day like for an Entry-Level Construction Scheduler?
A. Similar to nearly every other job, there will be differences from company to company. In general, schedulers are office workers. They work 40 hours a week on weekdays, and you get standard holidays. You’ll be assigned to cover one project or multiple projects. This often requires you to work directly on the construction site or visit it regularly. In a typical week, you’ll need to capture the project progress, enter it into the scheduling software, and generate reports for the people who need to know the project status. There'll be a variety of project status, team alignment, company meetings, and client update meetings to attend.
Q. Everything can’t be roses. What are some of the thorns or negative aspects of construction scheduling?
A. These are a few things to consider before diving in. If anything of this doesn’t resonate with you, it might be better to pass on the opportunity. In life, there are tasks that energize you; you look forward to doing them and getting lost in them. There are neutral tasks that, while they don’t excite you, you’ll do as part of the job. Then there are energy drainers. These tasks frustrate you to the core. They don’t align with your ethos, and you’d rather eat dog poop than do it. Any job will have energy drainers, but enough of them, and you'll hate your job. If the below appears energy-draining to you, it might be wise to look elsewhere. We don't want to set you up for failure.
Scheduling core functions are cyclical, meaning they happen repeatedly. Think of a chef who cooks the same dish every night. Each week/month, you'll take the latest schedule progress and create similar reports. The output will be different because the project is further along. This is what I find interesting, but some don't.
Most entry-level jobs are onsite, some are hybrid, and very few are remote. That means working close to the project. If you want an honest answer on how to climb the ladder the fastest, you should work on at least one project, especially if it's in your industry of choice.
To maximize your earnings, you'll most likely have to switch companies at some point. If you're dead set on working at one company for 10+ years, you could be on a very slow growth trajectory.
Large-scale projects are often late. For those not used to the reality of this fact, it can create a false feeling of stress. As an entry-level scheduler, there's a 100% chance you had nothing to do with the delay. There are many team types with different leaders. Most handle it appropriately, but some create an unproductive culture. We discuss how to see these ahead of time during the interview process.
Q. Is scheduling a viable foot in the door for the construction industry?
A. Yes. Compared to other roles, it has very few requirements to land a job. The role will also give you loads of exposure to other positions. If you like construction but dislike scheduling, you could become a coordinator, project manager, engineer, safety, quality, finance, cost, etc. Many of those roles require additional training and education. However, you'll know whether they are for you and if you want to try having the company you work for pay for further education.
