Last month, contractors were on site completing restorative work to Notre Dame Cathedral.  While this was ongoing, a fire broke out and tragically destroyed a large portion of the iconic medieval church. While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, those of us who are familiar with the hearts of construction workers know none of them would intentionally incinerate a project they are working on.

We often observe that a worker in the construction industry feels a palpable connection to the projects he has worked on.  Occasionally, we will see this same connection even if his participation in a project was minor or short-lived.  Construction employees are, for good reason, usually very proud of the buildings on which they have worked.  So much effort goes into each project, and the finished products become part of the history of those who built them.  A project will live on in the memories of the men who raised it, even if the structure itself is destroyed or dramatically altered.

Sometimes I catch myself reminiscing about a past project I worked on.  If the building I helped construct has drastically changed since I worked on it, this will stir my heart.

A Project List commonly accompanies your résumé when submitting an application for a new job.

Your project list should include:

1. The Name of the Project
2. The Location of the Project
3. An Overview of the Scope of the Project
4. What your Main Role was on the Project
5. The Duration of your time on the Project

Employers are looking to determine a myriad of things from your project list, including your overall commitment level.  They will review the parts of the projects with which you were involved, as well as your specific responsibilities.  Employers often use the project list as a conversation starter to learn about your strengths and experiences in the industry. They also use it to determine the type of support system you would require in order to be successful.

Nearly two centuries after the commencement of construction on Notre Dame Cathedral, the main structures of the cathedral were finally completed in 1345.

According to The Travel, the Cathedral has been renovated ten times since then, with the most notable project being the $100 million renovation between 1991 and 1999. During each of these projects, construction professionals presumably added to their project lists that they worked on Notre Dame Cathedral. But unless these professionals had listed their specific duties, it would be completely unclear what they achieved while working there.

Continue to be proud of the projects you participated in. Your role, however large or small, was important.  When preparing your project list, you may include pictures of the completed structures.  Some candidates list their projects directly under the companies they worked for instead of making it a separate document, but there is no single correct way to format the project list.  It is about your work history and finding a good company that will help you build on that history. If you need help with your project list, we are always here to assist.

To Building on Your History,

Suzanne Breistol