In this situation, working out your skills and abilities - and researching the construction careers out there - will help you to match the two up and discover new career opportunities.

Are you right for a construction job? Skills, strengths and weaknesses

Compile a list of your skills and abilities, along with all your strengths and weaknesses and what you like and dislike doing. Remember that you are the only person who will see this list, so be completely honest when you do so.

Think about any previous construction work experience you have had, and how anything you learned at school or college might be relevant. If you have been involved in building work at any point, write down anything you particularly enjoyed or disliked, as this will help you pinpoint what type of construction job is right for you.

What about the various construction careers?

The Internet is a great place to begin researching companies and possible construction careers. Many sites are dedicated to the construction industry and provide a wealth of information about available construction jobs, plus any apprenticeship opportunities that might exist as well, as accredited training courses at colleges.

This will help you to identify what a particular construction job involves, and what experience/training may be required.

Visit the websites of any construction-related companies you can find. There you will find information about the company, the vacancies they have and what it is like to work for them. This will allow you to find out about particular companies in more detail, which is advantageous if you apply for a job with them.

Speak to people who already work in construction work. This way you can find out exactly what the job entails on a day-to-day basis and ask if they know of any opportunities to train or gain construction experience.

If you are a graduate, make an appointment with a career advisor, who can discuss your skills and abilities and identify construction job opportunities available to you. Visiting Job Fairs allows you to speak to employers directly and sell yourself to them.

Done the research? What now?

After carrying out research into construction jobs and careers, you can match the various openings to your skills and experience. Taking the time to think seriously about what you have to offer, which type of construction job is right for you, and the opportunities open to you can greatly enhance your chances of embarking upon a successful and rewarding career.