My question is what job do you feel helped you gain skills or experience before you started your career as a realtor.

You have the construction company and, presumably, the construction skills to make a flip happen.If downpayment/rehab money is the holdback, perhaps a partnership would help you get over that hump. 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing. 

Once your processing is down solid, your ad writing skills are refined and you have a budget, that is the perfect storm! 

:) The key is to find you niche and speciality based on your skills.

And only experience is the best teacher ;)I quickly realized you also need management and communication skills.  

Passing is a matter of time management, memorizing questions in advance, and test taking skill.

I have been a stock broker/ financial advisor for 9 years and have developed skills that can be useful to a RE investor. 

Additionally, it will teach you the important skills to learn how to find off-market deals and how to market to them.

Knowing the building process is vital but using a hammer isnt. 

If you don't want to be the one showing the property or don't have the skills to show and screen tenants you should source this part of the business either with an agent or with a PM.