1. Candidate Profile
t: 02 9955 2299 f: 02 9955 2204 w: designandconstruct.com.au

2. About Us
Design & Construct is a boutique recruitment agency that specialises in providing
dedicated recruitment solutions to the design and construction industries.
Our team of passionate, focused and friendly consultants have proven skills in their
chosen sectors. They are committed to fostering long-term relationships with both clients
and candidates, operating on a reputation built on knowledge, trust and honesty. As a
corporate member of the Recruitment & Consulting Services Association (RCSA), Design
& Construct always acts in accordance with their Code for Professional Conduct.
Design & Construct is also a member of the Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) and
Master Builders Association (MBA), and we take an active interest in the industry - you
may see us at industry seminars and events.
For Jobseekers
Design & Construct consultants have extensive industry experience with companies all
over Australasia. They can provide real insights into what to expect from your future role,
the promotional prospects, working environment and of course,
remuneration packages.
Our dedicated consultants can guide you through the whole recruitment process and
help you land that dream role.
Unrivalled Professionalism
At Design & Construct, we believe confidentiality and professionalism are paramount.
Our consultants will only send your details in response to job opportunities that have
been discussed with you first and always act in accordance with the Recruitment &
Consulting Services Association’s (RCSA) Code for Professional Conduct.
Design & Construct is also an equal opportunity employer and expect that the companies
who use our services are too.
Find a Job
Search our current vacancies at www.designandconstruct.com.au

3. Preparing Your Resume
Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes for any given position, so it’s important
that yours stands out from the crowd. Here are a few tips to get your resume up to scratch
and looking professional.
Your objectives
Before you start your resume, it’s important to determine a clear and targeted objective.
Clearly state what sort of a job you want, and the skills and experiences you possess in
order to do well in that job.
Presentation is everything
It’s not difficult to make your resume look professional, it just takes a little care:
• Keep the layout simple.
• Restrict it to 2 or 3 pages.
• Always provide a cover letter highlighting your strengths.
• Don’t leave career gaps unanswered.
• Try to keep the reader interested.
• Check for spelling and grammatical mistakes.
• Are your personal contact details correct?
Education / qualifications
• List your most recent educational information first.
• Include your degree, diploma, trade or other qualifications.
• Are you a member of any professional associations?
• List any work-related training courses you have completed. Eg. career programs,
technical training
Career experience
• Start with your most recent position.
• Describe your work responsibilities with emphasis on skills and achievements.
• Instead of giving vague claims, use real examples to demonstrate your skills. In
other words, show, don’t tell.

4. Preparing Your Resume (cont.)
Other experience
• Highlight any certifications or advanced training.
• Include any software or technologies such as programming languages
& databases.
• Note special recognition, awards or participation in relevant trade organisations.
Interests / hobbies
• Show them what you’re into: your interests, hobbies and any sports you play.
References
• Provide at least 2 referees.
Still need help with your resume? Speak to your consultant today.
Interview Tips
You’ve landed an interview? That’s great! Now is your chance to showcase your skills
and experience, so it pays to be well-prepared. Here are a few suggestions:
Preparing for the Interview
• Review your resume. Make sure everything is up to date and relevant.
Put together a career portfolio which should include your resume with any
printed references, proof of qualifications / trade certificates and any other
relevant documentation.
• Do your research. Find out more about the company and be ready to ask a few
questions. Also, determine how the opportunity will impact your immediate and
long-term career development.
• Be punctual. Plan to arrive 10 minutes before the interview and allow extra time if
you’re unfamiliar with the area or taking public transport.
• Remember the time and place of your interview, the interviewer’s full name, the
correct pronunciation and their title. Write it down if necessary.
• Avoid the ums and ahhs. Prepare answers to broad and technical questions
about yourself, your career and the industry.

5. The Interview
• Speak clearly and greet the receptionist or assistant with courtesy and respect.
• Make a good impression. Dress appropriately, be enthusiastic and don’t
forget to smile.
• Relax. Avoid negative body language and signs of nervousness.
Remember, it’s only an interview.
• Listen carefully. Learn what you can about the company. What are the main
objectives and responsibilities of the position? Why is the role available?
• At the conclusion, thank the interviewer and determine the next steps.
Ask the Right Questions
You can have all the right answers and still not do well in a job interview. Sometimes, what
can get you over the line is asking the right questions. Questions that show you have
thoroughly researched the company and position, that you can think strategically and
that you are genuinely interested in this particular company.
Many candidates give great answers, but few ask great questions.
• The company: Where are they headed? What is the outlook in terms of stability,
growth, market share, and new projects?
• The industry: Find out more about the industry as a whole. Have technological
changes made an impact?
• The position: What is the scope of the role? What are its responsibilities,
procedures and reporting structure? Is there much travel involved?
• Opportunities: Is there potential for growth within the company or its divisions?
Ask about promotions and how often salary reviews are conducted.
Still nervous about your job interview? Speak to your consultant and they’ll help you
get prepared.

6. Receiving a Job Offer
Being offered a job can be very exciting, that’s why you should evaluate the offer carefully.
Most companies won’t expect a decision on the spot, so take the time to find out whether
the opportunity is right for you. Things to consider include:
The Company:
• What reputation does it have in the industry?
• How long have they been around?
• Is it small, medium or large? How many employees?
• What is the company culture like?
• What type of workload do they have?
The Position:
• What are typical projects like?
• How about working hours?
• Is it team-oriented?
• Where is it based?
• Are there opportunities for career development?
The Package:
• Base salary / superannuation
• Company vehicle / car allowance
• Bonus / commissions
• Mobile phone
• Holidays / sick leave
• Salary reviews
Want more advice?
Contact a Design & Construct consultant and they’ll be happy to help.
Receiving a Counter Offer
In today’s favourable labour market conditions, resignations usually result in a counter
offer. If you receive a counter offer, it can be difficult to decide on the best path for your
career. But you should consider that in most cases, accepting a counter offer proves to
be a poor long-term career decision and you’re likely to seek new employment
within 12 months.

7. Counter offers are very common and it’s likely that your current employer will try to entice
you to stay with promises of higher remuneration or a new position.
Receiving a counter offer means you are a valuable asset to your current employer and
they don’t want to lose you. It’s also costly for them to find and re-train a new employee
plus they’ll lose all your knowledge, experience and expertise.
And while counter offers may sound tempting, there are certain pitfalls that you should
be aware of. At Design & Construct, we know only too well from industry experience that
there has to be strong reasons for you to consider leaving your current position in the
first place.
If you do receive a counter offer, take a moment for a reality check:
• Will staying with your current employer solve your current issues?
• Why has it taken the company until now to appreciate your value?
• Are you simply getting a pay rise or promotion because you are leaving?
Deciding to make a career move can be exciting and financially rewarding. The best way
to avoid the messy situation of a counter-offer is to take charge of the situation:
• Explain your reasons for leaving and remain firm but polite.
• Agree to a provisional departure date when you resign and get confirmation of that
date quickly so you can let your new employers know when you can start.
If complications arise from a counter offer, speak to your consultant before making any
decisions as they can help discuss your options. Remember that we operate in a very
incestuous industry, so always try and leave on good terms.
Goodbyes are never easy
Resigning from your job can be a hard decision. But remember, there is never a ‘right
time’ to resign and you should consider the impacts on your career if you decide to stay.
Ask yourself these questions:
• Why did you consider leaving in the first place?
• What are the pros and cons of your current job?
• What are the pros and cons of the new position?
• Have you investigated a transfer within the company?
• Would you still leave if you were offered more money, training or a promotion?

8. Refer a Friend
Design & Construct are offering all of our candidates the opportunity to earn $500
by referring a friend for one of our current vacancies in Building | Construction |
Engineering | Architecture.
To qualify for this referral scheme please ensure that you have contacted your referral
and that they are genuinely interested in considering a new position.
Please fill in our application form available at www.designandconstruct.com.au and
Design & Construct will respond to you with a confirmation email.
If Design & Construct successfully place your referral we will inform you once he/she
has passed the specified probationary period outlined in our terms and conditions
available from our website www.designadconstruct.com.au
Please note that Design & Construct treat all information provided with the strictest of
confidence and we will not divulge any third parties information without prior consent.

9. Salary Survey
Architecture
Director | Executive $90,000 +
Architect 5-10+ Years $65,000 - $100,000
Architect 2-5 Years $45,000 - $70,000
Graduate Architect $40,000 - $50,000
Director | Executive $90,000 +
Interior Designer 5-10+ Years $65,000 - $100,000
Interior Designer 2-5 Years $45,000 - $65,000
Graduate Interior Design $40,000 - $45,0000
CAD Drafter $30,000 - $75,000
Landscape Architect $40,000 - $90,000
Town / Urban Planner $40,000 - $100,000
Urban Designer $45,000 - $100,000
Client Side Project Management
Project Director $150,000 +
Senior Project Manager 10Years + $130,000 - $155,000
Intermediate Project Manager 5-10 Years $90,000 - $140,000
Junior Project Manager 2-5 Years $65,000 - $100,000
Graduate / Assistant Project Manager $45,000 - $60,000
Civil & Structural Engineering
Group Manager / Principal $110,000 - $135,000
Design Manager $85,000 - $110,000
Environmental Engineer $75,000 - $110,000
Geotechnical Engineer $65,000 - $100,000
Civil / Structural Engineer $65,000 - $110,000
Civil / Structural Drafter $45,000 - $75,000

10. Salary Survey
Civil Construction
Construction Manager $130,000 - $220,000
Project Manager $110,000 - $175,000
Estimator $55,000 - $160,000
OH&S / QA Manager $95,000 - $160,000
Contracts Administrator $70,000 - $140,000
Foreman / Supervisor $70,000 - $135,000
Project Engineer $95,000 - $130,000
Site Engineer $60,000 - $95,000
Leading Hand $50,000 - $70,000
Building & Construction
State Manager $200,000 - $300,000
Construction Manager $180,000 - $250,000
Contracts Manager $110,000 - $160,000
Project Manager $90,000 - $180,000
Design Manager $100,000 - $170,000
Project Engineers $100,000 - $150,000
Estimator / Cost Planner $70,000 - $170,000
Contracts Administrator $60,000 - $110,000
Site Manager $110,000 - $160,000
General Foreman $110,000 - $140,000
Foreman $90,000 - $110,000
Leading Hand $75,000 - $85,000
Building Cadet $45,000 - $55,000
Graduate $35,000 - $55,000

11. Company Details
Company Name Website

12. Contact
Design & Construct
Level 4, 44 Miller Street
North Sydney, 2060
t: 02 9955 2299
f: 02 9955 2204
e: info@designandconstruct.com.au
w: designandconstruct.com.au