Any-advice-welcome for entry level job seekers?

[grodan1]

Any employers out there care to give advice on how entry level job seekers find their way into the hvac field? Everyone advertises must have 2 to five years experience. I'm nearing graduation from tech school and I can see already that it's not going to impress any employers much due to the fact that some(most?)tech schools are putting out graduates who don't even know the basics. I just want some inside scoop on the best way to catch an employers eye long enough to prove myself.I really appreciate any help you guys can give.

[wasp]

I am not an employer, but I, as many of us here have, started at the bottom. It depends on where you want to go in this field: residential, commercial or industrial. What is the majority of the work catagory where you are? It is discouraging that employers want 2+ years experience, but they want and need someone that can be sent reliably on a call and be successful. I am not knocking you or your ability, but there are alot of hacks who call themselves technicians and schooling will not prepare you for working behind these kinds of people, for you will have to figure out the mistakes they have made and make the equipment run as it should. There are many stories I could tell you from working behind "technicians".

I guess the best piece of advice I could give is: Don't be a know it all. Get your foot in the door and go from there. I started out being a filter changer back in '91, was not glamourous but I learned alot.

The company I work for hires people just like you as we pick up more contracts, we have a balance of low, medium and high skill levelled people.

GOOD LUCK!!

[grodan1]

Thanks for the advice. I just pray I get to work around or with someone who is really good at what they do. My nightmare is getting stuck with one of the bad ones.

[stevehvac]

I can say this. Your boss knows you are green and have very little knowledge so don't worry about showing him what you know. Work on the things that make people in any job a good employee. Things like being on time, upbeat,having a positive attitude, willing to do what ever it takes, willing to do things that you feel are beneath you, get dirty, etc. These type of things make you golden to a company on youe first day in the trade to your last.

[jtphoto95]

This is a good post I am to about to graduate and see those ads that never say helpers wanted or apprentice trainys welcome.

I think the wording is there to discourage ged grads or highschool drop out from trying to get into the business with out any tech school knowledge or epa cert.

[expertmech]

Hey JT... Check the New York job listing...

Employers say 3 years because everyone is looking for experience - But, to say the least, GOOD PEOPLE are hard to find these days period...

Don't let the experience stop you because if you're motivated and pick up things fast it will make up for a lot... Give us a call!!!

Not alot of people move around once they have experience so many employers also need to groom their own Techs and keep it in the family!!!!!!!

Good Luck!!

[R12rules]

Use the search feature of this forum to learn from what has already been posted on this very subject.


Just use the search word: advice


put my screen name over on the right hand box. It will get you some good responces in threads.

[pinholeleak]

Grodan, I can empathize with you. I graduated in Dec. and am still not working. Get this, I was working in the warehouse at a plg/htg co. and was going to work for them when I was finished with school. But they laid me off in Aug. Before I even "started". I've been very actively seeking since Nov. If I would've known it was gonna be like this 2 years ago, I would've went into plumbing. At least they're more secure. However, I shouldn't sound so negative, I start a new job on Monday.....at a bakery.
good luck brother.

[expertmech]

You guys can't be looking in NY....

Every Service Owner I know in every field is starving for honest, decent people....


Next ad I run will include "WILL TRAIN"

I wish I could edit it... There's NOTHING more important than someone who knows hard work and is willing to learn and pick up things easily....

What good is experience when you get guys who are unrelaible, slow and set in their ways...

Don't give up and don't take jobs you don't want if you don't absolutely have to - I'd imagine you can get a job easily - Stress how hungry you are to learn and keep calling shops - ALL of em'.






[Edited by expertmech on 03-18-2005 at 03:47 PM]