Did you know that Australia's construction industry contributes $134.2 billion to the country's economy and 8% of its GDP?

With 1.1 million employees in the industry, skilled professionals remain in high demand and it's unsurprising that construction job ads are growing by 13% year-on-year, the average advertised salary being $106,784 (SEEK Employment Trends).

With opportunity rife in Melbourne, making a career move (and the right one) can be daunting. There are many factors to consider and it can be difficult to know where to start.

Ask yourself these five crucial questions to make sure it's the right move for you…

1. Which area of construction is right for me?

There are a variety of careers within the industry from skilled trades, site management, estimating and project management, to contract admin, client-side, surveying and development. Not to mention the project diversity: fit out, health, education, retail, mixed use – the list goes on.

Think about what you enjoy doing, your long-term career goals, and what suits your skills and personality. Perhaps it's time to take on a new challenge?

2. How much do I know about prospective companies?

You've no doubt heard about company XYZ and their flexible working hours, genuine days in lieu and NO Saturdays. Word of mouth travels quickly, especially in a booming market.

The problem is that one negative passing comment can put you off applying for a great opportunity that could be perfect for you. It's helpful to remember that a busy market also means businesses are evolving and changing very quickly.

Do your research - reach out to your network to put your mind at ease. Or, seek a specialist consultant with existing client relationships who can vouch for genuine placements and experiences.

3. Does my résumé present me in the best possible light?

Executives in the construction industry are busy, and they don't have time to sit and read every single CV thoroughly.

To make their lives easier and your chances greater, make it clear and concise so that it is eye-catching, professional and effective. The main inclusions are your work history, skills, education, completed projects and references.

4. What is most important to me in a job?

The easiest way to answer this question is the 'tick box' exercise. Write down exactly what you want from your next opportunity. Is it to work on larger projects? Work-life balance? Higher salary? Bigger company?

Realistically, you'll probably never have every box ticked. But keep an open mind – if you can get most of them, then you're winning.

5. Am I moving for the right reasons?

On the contrary, plentiful opportunities can also create temptation to leave, abruptly. There is a multitude of reasons you might want to move, for example, boredom, a lengthy commute or office politics. However, a career move should never be taken lightly. Just one move can have a lasting effect on your career and reputation.

Perhaps you see no long-term career path, but you love your current role and the culture. Schedule a meeting with your boss and see if it can be rectified. If not, then you have your answer: it's time to move on.

Be sure to assess yourself against the above when you've finally decided that now is as great a time as any for your next move.

Personally, I like to build long-term, quality relationships within my network, and prefer an initial catch up over coffee to get to know you and help you work through these points.

This way I can make sure we're discussing only relevant opportunities so that you can make a seamless transition, when the time is right.

Give me a call on 03 8606 0383 if you'd like to grab a coffee or discuss the current opportunities in the market.