Finding Good Work is Hard Work: Roman’s Story

 

The post Finding Good Work is Hard Work: Roman’s Story appeared first on Baker Roofing Company.

3 Tips For Applications From a Construction Recruiter

1. Be Professional
Let your recruiter or interviewer know how serious you are about the job by doing more than simply telling them. Be proactive in communicating with the company representative, and make sure to respond to phone calls, emails, and questions with appropriate and professional responses. It may seem simple, but often times showing up early for appointments and interviews, demonstrating good manners, and maintaining eye contact can really distinguish you from others applying for the same position. When comparing two candidates who are otherwise equal, the candidate who is polite and professional will get the job every time.

Recruiting horror stories are never ending (seriously, just Google it!). Acting inappropriately, and making your interviewer, or someone you encounter during the hiring process uncomfortable, will very likely cost you the job. It’s better to keep it professional.

2. Stay Open-minded
Even if you have years of experience in the construction industry, remaining open-minded when interviewing or starting a new job can alleviate lots of stress on your boss and yourself. Your new company may have a different way of doing things, and training at each company takes time. Show your interviewer, recruiter, or boss that you are open-minded and willing to try something new by letting them know of past learning opportunities you have taken advantage of.

Think back to when you were a child and what you dreamed of becoming when you grew up. Chances are, who you are now is not exactly what you planned to be then. Staying open-minded can allow for new and different opportunities that can lead to great success.

3. Demonstrate a Track Record of Hard Work
Jobs in the Construction industry do not always require previous construction experience. Previous work history is important, but does not always indicate your abilities. During the interview, or when other opportunities present themselves in the hiring process, make the effort to prove that you have previously, and expect to continue working hard.

Providing examples and stories of consistently staying driven and doing hard work will help any interviewer get a better understanding of the work they can expect from you if you join their company. Baker Roofing Company understands the value in good work, and expects employees at all levels to push themselves to always do good work above anything else. Being able to prove your hard work will always give you an advantage over anyone who can’t.

The post 3 Tips For Applications From a Construction Recruiter appeared first on Baker Roofing Company.

4 Areas Construction Companies Need To Celebrate More

In the construction industry it’s very easy (and many times necessary) to get into a focused production mindset with blinders on to everything else. It is no surprise that day-in-and-day out, the life of a construction professional is filled with and consumed by budgets, timelines, change orders, and frustration, leaving room for very little else. A good work place, is a place that finds a balance. A balance between getting done what needs to be done, and creating a place where we don’t check our humanity at the door.

Below are a few areas, specific to the construction area, where you can step aside for a moment, and celebrate areas of our day that can simply be passed over. Recognition and celebration of employees’ accomplishments have been studied over and over again, proving its positive impact on morale, engagement, and productivity. We all know this, but finding the will and energy to actually do it can be a challenge. We would like to offer a few concrete ideas, that may seem common, but many companies simply take for granted.

Celebrating Safety
It is always one of the top mantras of every construction organization — “safety first.” We are all quick to recite it. Additionally, we are quick to penalize (and often rightly so) someone for operating outside of approved safe working practices. But we often neglect recognizing the employee that comes to work, and performs their tasks safely, efficiently, and with consistency.

At Baker, we not only recognize good safety habits on the job site, but also on the road. With over 400 trucks on the road, the company is greatly concerned about good driving habits. With that, Baker Roofing Company boasts a quarterly and annual “Safe Driver Award” that recognizes drivers for exceptional driving safety. The award comes with benefits of newer trucks, as well as other monetary and non-monetary recognitions.

Celebrate Exceptionalism
Every company has stories of ‘success’ that do not necessarily fall within standard job or project performance measures. Whether it was the foreman who pulled onto the side of the road to change a tire for a stranded driver, or the estimator that helped buy a stranger a tank of gas, these are sometimes the stories that are most worth celebrating. Authentic acts like these are never done for recognition, but just because it was the right thing to do.

Every month Baker Roofing Company celebrates acts like this. We call it the ‘Always Good Work Award’ — and it recognizes these acts of Exceptionalism. Nominated by peers, supervisors, or subordinates, and awarded in person by the Board of Directors (usually by surprise), it has resulted in some of the most memorable moments for the company.

Celebrate Commitment
It’s easy to celebrate the new addition to the team, taking them out for lunch, and showing outward excitement by introducing them to everyone in the office, but companies often fail to recognize those that have been with the company for years, and even decades. Formalize your tenure recognition by celebrating it the same time every year and categorically. At Baker Roofing Company we celebrate every new year, with those employees that have achieved the milestones of 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, etc… (we even have a few who have hit 50 years!).

Celebrate Healthy Living
Let’s face it, when we are working the last thing we often think about is “am I making healthy choices right now?” Having a good working environment includes one that encourages making healthy living choices. Find ways at work you can implement and encourage activities and choices focused on overall wellness. Try stretching or exercising at your desk (link), or Pre-job on-sight stretching to help prevent and alleviate muscle soreness. At Baker Roofing Company, we handed out over 100 Fitbits to employees who committed to an activity level goal, and saw great success! In this case, celebrating really points to an active effort of lending value too. The best perk of all is that being in a constant state of celebrating can also promote healthy lifestyles at your workplace!

The post 4 Areas Construction Companies Need To Celebrate More appeared first on Baker Roofing Company.

5 Challenges People Face When Finding Work They Love

Finding Good Work is Hard Work
5 Challenges People Face when Finding Work They Love

1. Working through a challenging background
Making mistakes in the past doesn’t mean you shouldn’t set job goals and try for the career you want. What is most important is that you are prepared to explain your decisions and mistakes, and discuss what you have learned from those errors. How did your mistakes help you grow? Did they drive you to make changes or improvements in your life?

2. Selecting a company whose values fit your own
It can be hard to know what a company is really like before becoming part of the organization. However, this doesn’t mean you have to go to an interview knowing little about a company’s culture and values. Research the company – look up information they share on their website and social media outlets. Search company leadership, and read reviews from employees and customers on social media and internet sites such as Glassdoor.com. Explore the history of the company, and ask questions as they arise.

3. Confusing job description
Focus on tasks or specific jobs the description mentions for a good understanding of what the job would entail. Many job descriptions include company background information, benefits, and additional information that may not specifically relate to the job you would be performing each day.

Learn the art of asking great questions. Ask for examples of work or tasks you would complete if you held the job, or what the interviewer would describe as a typical daily schedule for a person in this position. Think of questions you have before going into an interview, and make sure you have a purpose in asking each question. Start with broad topics, then focus in where you have more specific questions. Concentrate on the purpose behind each question to make sure your questions are relevant and contributing to the conversation.

4. Lack of connections
Be involved in networking! LinkedIn is a great platform to begin. Start by adding friends, family members, and people you may know (as suggested by the site). Don’t shy away from letting these people know you are looking for employment – even if you don’t know someone who is in the field you hope to join, someone you know might. Follow leaders and mentors who inspire and motivate you to succeed. Comment on posts from these leaders, as well as other connections, and open the doors to an ongoing conversation. Share relevant and interesting content to spark conversations of your own. More than anything, stay engaged!

5. Overcoming tunnel vision
Be open to new experiences, or jobs you have never considered before. Just because you have stayed in one field for your entire working life, doesn’t mean you can’t make a major change. Statistics show adults typically work anywhere from 10-15 jobs in their lifetime, with the average tenure at a job sitting at only 4.2 years. A company or position might be the perfect fit for your skills and values, but staying focused in a particular industry would keep you from giving it a chance. Broaden your horizons and look for positions that could start you on the path to your “dream job.” Take the first step by submitting an application.

The post 5 Challenges People Face When Finding Work They Love appeared first on Baker Roofing Company.

Introducing Baker Residential Roofing Services – Atlanta

Baker Roofing Company has provided Commercial Roofing work in Atlanta for three years. As the Atlanta branch continues to grow, the need for Residential services becomes increasingly apparent. With this knowledge, we are pleased to announce the launch of our newest Residential location in Atlanta, Georgia!

Following in the footsteps of our other Residential offices, Baker Residential Atlanta hopes to replicate the quality and elite customer service experiences that have allowed Baker Roofing Company to stay in business for over 100 years. One of their goals is to provide the highest quality work, and consistently exceed customer expectations by living out the Baker Roofing company promise of ‘Always Good Work.’

Baker Residential Atlanta hopes to expand their local team quickly, yet strategically over the next year to be able to respond to requests in a timely manner, while laying a solid foundation for years to come. They will use the knowledge and resources available from our extensive history in the business to carry them to success and provide industry-leading experiences for every customer. The growth strategy is based around hiring the right people who believe in doing ‘Always Good Work’ each and every day, therefore improving service, customer care, and company culture simultaneously.

Our Atlanta Residential Division currently offers roof repair and replacement services for all types of roofing, including asphalt shingle, metal, synthetic tile, clay tile, slate, and cedar shake. Our Residential team are experts in helping customers choose the right roof to fit their needs and budget, as well as identifying and repairing leaks in your home.

We are also thrilled to introduce Luke as the Residential Operations Manager in Atlanta. Luke is new to the Baker team, but has been in the roofing industry for over 20 years. Originally from Florida, Luke has spent time working as a roofer, a firefighter, and a personal business owner. We already love having Luke working with us at Baker Roofing!

Luke is most excited about the opportunity he has been given to lay the infrastructure for the Baker Residential brand in Atlanta. He feels confident in having Baker’s experience and resources as a company supporting him, and is a wonderful fit to spearhead the Residential Division and brand in Atlanta. In his free time, Luke enjoys fishing (salt and fresh water), and any activities in or around water.

Steve Allington, General Manager of Baker Roofing Atlanta, wholeheartedly supports Luke as the leader of the Residential division. He feels confident in the fact that Luke owned and ran his own roofing business for 15 years, has previously worked for a large roofing company, and has experience in all working levels of roofing; from operations, to sales, and management. He exemplifies our high standards of ‘Always Good Work’ and is a diverse and extraordinarily well-rounded individual. Luke understands the intricacies of roofing, and has the leadership and personal skills necessary to strategize, communicate, and problem solve as an effective leader of this new division.

Welcome to the Baker Roofing Company team, Luke! We are so excited you’re here!

The post Introducing Baker Residential Roofing Services – Atlanta appeared first on Baker Roofing Company.

Fantastic Tips For Maintaining The Roof Of Your Home

When it comes to proper roof maintenance, most homeowners don't know what they should be doing. In fact, many people simply ignore their roofs altogether until they spring a leak or some other serious problem arises. Use the following article to learn how you can maintain your roof throughout the year so that you lessen the chances of more serious problems from occurring.

You should inspect your roof carefully on an annual basis. Roofs are commonly most damaged during winter months as well as spring time. Therefore, you need to carefully observe your roof during these seasons.

When looking into different types of roofing material, you must take into account various factors. For example, the price range you are placing your budget in will ultimately decide what you are able to afford. A slate roof will be very expensive, however, it will last longer than your lifetime. Roof Repair

Mow your lawn prior to having a contractor work on your roof. This will make it easier to find any nails that fall from the roof. If your contractor brings a magnetic nail finder, short grass will also help this tool work more efficiently.

If you are trying to replace or repair a roof on your own, always take precautions. Make sure to wear rubber soled shoes that grip and consider using a harness too. In addition, ask a buddy to remain on the ground in case you need help. Working on a roof requires standing in uneven ways and moving around far above ground, so these precautions are necessary. Roofing Contractor

Having read the article above, you should now have a good understanding of how to properly care for your roof. Annual inspections are a necessity if you want to prevent any serious problems from arising. Be sure and implement the tips and tricks illustrated earlier so that your roof remains in great shape throughout the year. Roof Company

Source: Fantastic Tips For Maintaining The Roof Of Your Home