Getting into the HVAC field

[iwant2learn]

Hi, all i`am new here. I finish school 3 weeks ago (lincoln tech in mahwah nj) and have yet to get a job:(. The people at the school seem to have stop helping the few people that graduated with me. I joined hvacagent & mepjobs but still no job. Most of the people i talked too and postings i see want people with 2+ years field work. How did you guys/gals go about getting a job and how long did it take?

[Tech Rob]

It seems like it's getting harder and harder for new guys with little to no experience to break into this field. With the MCA and local unions supposedly pushing new recruitment campaigns like "5 star careers" (which I only see posted in Trade magazines... How much sense does that make?) You would think some contractors would be willing to support their efforts and bring in a few new guys that'll have to go on service tickets as "no-bill" or as an extra set of hands for large jobs. Unfortunately, I don't see it.

I can understand that everyone wants the seasoned technician with years and years of experience, but you have to start somewhere...

The only companies I see hiring green help are large mechanical construction companies. But they can offer you apprenticeships (both union and non-union) Going to classes for an additional 4-5 years may not be an attractive prospect for someone who just spent 1-2 years at a tech school. It's unfortunate.

[coolwhip]

Open your phone book and start calling local companies. Ask them if they are looking for a helper/apprentice. Tell them briefly about your education and have a resume and EPA card ready.
You have only just begun, having a vocational certificate means very little. You will need to prove your worth and reliability in this trade. Thats the only way you move up the ladder.

Performance, dedication, and knowledge without arrogance will make you successful.

You will probably start around 10 bucks an hour.

[numbawunfela]

I want you to succeed. Please remember that as I may sound a little negative.

As a Tech and a project manager, I hate few things more than working with brand new trade school grads. They tend to be remarkably unskilled, lack common sense, have no initiative to see what needs to be done, unable to think conciously in terms of 'what will be the best thing I can do now to help the team?' They tend to be able to spend six months in the field and not seem to learn anything. They show up late. they have an ability to stare blindly at the wall until an order is given, then resent the fact they are being ordered around. They don't study much on their own..... Most of this is because they are only 18 - 20 years old.

So, you need to find a way to abolish that impression in your resume, and your interview. they are trade-school-grad-bigots, and you gotta overcome their prejudice. Follow up your resume submissions aggressively. anything short of a firm no is a very firm maybe. recognize that it is fall, and the industry is slowing down. interview well, and tell them that you know most new grads are crappy, but show them you are not.

I worked with two lincoln tech grads a year or two ago and it was a nightmare. Sorry to tell you that now that you already graduated. :(

Your full time job now is to find a full time job. I have the phone numbers of over 50 HVAC companies that I have taken from the side ov vans as I work in a job I am happy with. this way I have options later. Get out that phone book and call.

You can do it.

[crackertech]

Open your phone book and start calling local companies. Ask them if they are looking for a helper/apprentice. Tell them briefly about your education and have a resume and EPA card ready.
You have only just begun, having a vocational certificate means very little. You will need to prove your worth and reliability in this trade. Thats the only way you move up the ladder.

Performance, dedication, and knowledge without arrogance will make you successful.

You will probably start around 10 bucks an hour.

Yes you will start out low pay but as soon as you prove yourself the faster you'll move up in pay.But remember dont throw anybody under the bus
no good will come from it.

[coolwhip]

Yep, after 90 days you will get a raise and benefits. If you are valued, you will move up quickly. If your a jackass, you will be treated as such.

Good luck and stick with it.:)

[wolfstrike]

start off at the large companies and ask them if they hire apprentices BEFORE you go down there.

(many small companies have techs that will waste your time and ask you questions they know you can't answer, with no intention of hiring you, because they get their jollies like that)


large companies that do home warranty work are great places to start off at, sometimes home warranty companies will toss you in the mix right away, because they are not afraid to ruin customer's equiptment, they have to fix it anyways.

another great place to start is your local union.


you'll get better ads at supply houses then in the papers, but they usually hire before winter and before summer.





BTW, trade school was great for me, but we currently have people at work who went through trade school and got nothing.

buy yourself a few HVACR books, read them and re-read them.

[conky]

iwant2learn; Hi, all i`am new here. I finish school 3 weeks ago (lincoln tech in mahwah nj) and have yet to get a job:(. The people at the school seem to have stop helping the few people that graduated with me. I joined hvacagent & mepjobs but still no job. Most of the people i talked too and postings i see want people with 2+ years field work. How did you guys/gals go about getting a job and how long did it take?


Greetings "iwant2learn,

Just start appling in person with a professional / honest resume and a copy of your papers, ( CFC, certificates, etc.. SS card).
Meet and greet.

If you are and can come accros as the right canidate for a job, they most likely will offer you something...

Take the job that is offered to you, if you feel that the job may fit you.

Work hard and pay attention, and learn, learn, learn.

Be on time and ready to work......

Once you are employed and working to make yourself more marketable, other jobs will likely show up. Don't just jump, but, think it though.

I went though a apprentiship program.

I finished my apprentiship, work was scarce in town.. so out of town I went.

I worked several out of town jobs and never stopped learning.

Learning about people, lifestyles, work tricks and tips... and just great ethics...

I was offered a 3 day job in town, after over a year on the road; I took it.

That job was with Johnson Controls.

I left JCI after over 10 years latter, ( Great Job, people, product, experience's, etc.) . I was offered a job that I thought was even better; and was I ever right.. over 13 years latter; Life is great.

I wish you the very best.

Stay Gold,:)
Conky

[iwant2learn]

Thanks to all that replyed. I emailed 2 diff, unions (hoping to hear from them),fax many resumes out,called a few places (10 so far. 2 of them were pissed that i even asked,1 said i should only fax the diff companies so that they can look it over when they have time,3 or 4 said call back in the spring,1 guy laughed at me as soon as i said where i went to school then hung-up,1 guy said he would never hire a person from that school and the last person offer 5$ off the books and said that i shouldn`t expect to learn from them because they wont let me work on anything - i would just be cleaning,fetching,etc.). I told the last one no thanks nicely. i will keep trying calling diff places but dam it seems even for helpers they want people with field work (not 2 hard to find illegal aliens around that they can pay them 5$ hr and they already have worked in the field ). I`am going to try the supply houses like wolfstrike said also. Thanks

[guitarman747]

iwant2learn,
I am going through a similar situation. I just got out of the miltary and have been trying to get into the trade. At least you have the schooling behind you. I know in NJ the unions take Apps. in Jan. I have been trying for about a month now with applications and phone calls and it seems it is an off time or maybe I need to rethink my careerpath. Good luck and be patient, it helps.

[iwant2learn]

Good luck to you 2.