Member Article

Barratt's MD shares his career tips for success

With a large proportion of students leaving education and struggling to find work, Paul Newman, Managing Director of Barratt Developments Yorkshire East, shares his experience of working his way up the career ladder from Site Clerk to Managing Director, along with his tips for career success against the odds:

“With a large proportion of graduates and students leaving education and struggling to find work, many will be questioning their career choices and wondering what the best route is to achieve career success. What many people don’t realise is that there’s a major skills shortage in the construction sector and we’re crying out for talented individuals – not just across areas such as brick laying and roof tiling, but also with our technical, design and sales teams.

“Whilst many fear they may be pigeonholed into a set career route by studying a certain subject at college or university – the opposite is in fact true. If you have ambition, passion and a little Yorkshire grit, success is more than achievable. I started out in the industry by chance – as a stock controller on £1,420 per year, whilst I completed my Youth Training Scheme in Hull with BP Chemicals. Once I had my foot in the door, I soon picked up on an advertisement for a Site Clerk position being advertised at Barratt Developments, and through my hard work and determination, I was able to interview for the position… and so, I was one step further up the career ladder.

“The key is to find something you’re good at, and make the most of it. I was great at organising stock and it is this experience that helped me to get the job as a Site Clerk. Once I’d secured a job in a reputable company, I’d secured an opportunity to widen my career prospects – choosing to work hard and progress my career within Barratt by taking advantage of training opportunities, learning as much as I could, trying my hardest to deliver above and beyond my job role and always being on hand to help my colleagues. Through this dedication I have been able to achieve six promotions, including Quantity Surveyor, Technical Manager and Technical Director, and progress further to Managing Director – and you could too!

“This is just one example of the opportunities available in the Construction Industry, but in truth they are limitless. Yorkshire is a big county – meaning there are plenty of opportunities. I want to encourage all those struggling to find work to seriously consider the different opportunities available to them in the construction industry. It proved to be a success for me and many of my colleagues… and it could be for you too!”

Paul accepts one of four awards achieved throughout his career – the above for Technical Director of the Year in 2003, awarded by Sir Lawrie Barratt, Founder and Life President of Barratt

Paul’s top tips for career success:

1. The bottom up: Whether you’ve graduated with a master’s degree or you’ve just left school, you will always have to start at the bottom and work your way up the career ladder. As it was for those before you, there really isn’t a shortcut into a well–paid senior role - and for good reason - experience is the key to everyone’s career success, without which you don’t have the skills required to know what and what not, to do! In a nutshell, don’t be put off by entry level roles; starting at the bottom will help you to become a more rounded and informed professional 2. Think outside the box: If you’re really unsure about what you want to do, it doesn’t mean you’re a failure. In fact, I’d say 99% of professionals don’t know what they want to do until they’ve started working. I never imagined at school I’d be Managing Director of the region’s largest housebuilder, but here I am. Think outside the box a little: What are you good at? What do you enjoy? Answer these questions and then apply a practical career option to it. If you like organising and planning, you could make a good surveyor, where as if you’re a great people’s person, you could make a brilliant Sales Advisor!

3. A foot in the door: It’s very rare that someone starts off in their dream role, so it’s important to remember that it’s called a career route for a reason – and getting your foot in the door is the first hurdle. Once you’ve got your first professional job, you’ll start to build a network of contacts; it is this network that will help you on the way to career success. It’s often said, it’s ‘who you know’ and if you make a good impression, the people you work with will help you on your way

4. Work it: If you’re a hard worker you will always find success in one way or another. I used to drive between Driffield and Hull on a Moped to go that extra mile and impress my bosses when I first started out. Whether you’re putting in the extra hours or driving across the county on a Moped – if it feels like hard work, it’s probably worth it!

5. Confidence is key: Last but certainly not least, it’s essential that you believe in yourself. If you don’t have confidence in your ability, you won’t stand out from the crowd. Be polite, helpful, conscientious, confident and hard working and you’ll be making your way to the top before you know it!

To find out how you could start your career in construction visit http://www.buildingcareerstogether.co.uk/

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Savage .