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What is the name of my job? 6

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dexoey

Civil/Environmental
Oct 5, 2012
1


Hello,

I´m going to write my English resume and know that I must use the exact and correct phrases for my positions and tasks.
I have intern´s experience in Germany and my task was "Assistant site manager," and I helped the site manager for every prospective tasks, which I could afford. For example, documenting, instructing drivers, helping and guiding foreman to find solution for his problems, approving receipts and etc. Could you please tell me how can I express my title and task professionally, in English? Is there any specific terminology for this position?

Bests
 
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Interned as Assistant site manager at ...Company A

"People will work for you with blood and sweat and tears if they work for what they believe in......" - Simon Sinek
 
In the construction industry, site managers, are often referred to as construction managers, site agents or building managers, are responsible for the day-to-day on site running of a construction project.

Some other terms:

Assistant Construction Manager (if you worked on a construction project)

Assistant Project Manager (this applies for construction projects and/or non construction work)

Assistant Superintendent
 
As an employer, I would be more interested in your responsibilities and how they contributed. E.G. made sure all vehicles were properly maintained and fueled in order to assure on-time starts and eliminate downtime. Kept track of receipts for accurate billing and financial analysis. Served as Administrative Assistant / Gofer site manager doing whatever he needed done. (I really enjoyed the wide variety of challenging tasks.)

I think I would say I “assisting” the Foreman instead of “guiding”. I have a little problem with the idea of a construction foreman being guided by an intern.


Thomas J. Walz
Carbide Processors, Inc.

Good engineering starts with a Grainger Catalog.
 
Hi dexoey,

"Intern" has different meanings in different lands. For some it means trainee or apprentice. But in the US it means that you worked in industry as a part of your education. It often brings a resume to the top for recent graduates, since internship is viewed as a better learning experience and extra effort beyond classes.

In either case, I think that keeping that word in your resume is a plus.



Best to you,

Goober Dave

Haven't see the forum policies? Do so now: Forum Policies
 
Because exact translations are so difficult and arbitrary, in terms of titles, I would want you to list and describe what you actually did, much as Tomwalz suggested. Years ago your VoTech vs. University training, and Internship vs. Apprenticeship vs. early Engineering training and advancement programs where quite different than those in the U.S., but might have lead to the same level of duties along the way. Thus, “interned and assisted the Site Manager,” along with a listing and short description of your duties is probably about as good as you can do. You may have assisted the Site Manager, but where you really the assistant site manager? There probably is a significant distinction here and you should be careful on that account, so as not to overstate your level of duties and responsibility. I’ve always thought... I want to know what he can actually do and what his experience level is, I don’t care what title he wishes he had.
 
I agree with dhengr - different words mean something slightly (or significantly) different in all languages. So terms may have different meanings in Germany.

In English I would call you an Assistant to the Project Manager. That implies that you worked closely under the watchful eye and direction of the Project Manager. Assistant Project Manager implies that you had an assigned set of professional responsibilities and did them more or less independently.

The term site manager implies a less professional person - like making sure little problems don't stop progress. Any ordinary, but clever, worker can be site manager - no professional knowledge or training is required.
 
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