Congratulations on deciding to get into the field of craft labor! Whether you're a professional welder or have similar expertise, there's a strong need for this great occupation. But now you might be wondering, how should you choose from among the many employers? Or perhaps you've been in craft labor for a while and want to find a better employer than your last?
Finding the right kind of projects to work on, or even a perfect job or position to make into a career can seem like a daunting task. You might be tempted to just take the first one you see available. Before you do that, consider all the ways one job could be better than another.
Finding The Right Employer
The best craft labor job is with a company that you like and respect. If you're happy with the company, you'll have an easier time going to work every day. That might be because the people there are fun to work with, the company treats you well, or they specialize in more interesting work.
Often smaller companies are better in this regard. They allow you to form close relationships with the team and you can become an expert in high-paying, niche fields. You'll get recommended more advanced training courses or even in-person coaching from the managers.
Larger companies can be more difficult to deal with at times. They may not care about you because you're just a number to them. Though if you want a highly structured job with advancement opportunities or where you can simply disappear into the work, that's when big companies are best.
Whether they're big or small, you should look for a company that pursues you. If they can't find the motivation to care about gaining you as an employee, they probably also won't care about you on the job. They'll put very little energy into training you, they won't help you move up the career ladder, and overall your relationship with them will suffer.
You also want to ensure that you are looking into a company’s safety practices and culture. Safety is always important, but especially in this industry and in the various places you could be asked to work. Make sure the company you’re considering takes safety seriously.
Carefully go over job postings for information such as the necessary skills and certifications they require. At times you'll take temporary projects to preserve or refresh your knowledge, while at others you might get into a job that can become permanent. Your goal should be to keep learning but focus first on what you can already do.
Career Hunting Tips
When first starting, apprenticeships are a great way to meet a skilled mentor and gain deeper expertise in the craft. These should be paid jobs, and teach you the skills that make you into a journeyman. Next comes joining a professional network of people who can help you find the jobs you're most suited for, or with whom you can chat about recent methods and tools. By gaining more experience and knowledge, you'll be in ever greater demand.
Job sites are now full of recruiters looking for people who they can get into a position. Filling up your resume or personal page with craft labor experience will have them messaging you about work. Even if you're not interested in that job, always remember to keep a good personal relationship with recruiters. They'll help you get involved with great projects or see the best jobs later on if they know what you want and think highly of you personally.
On the other hand, never lie on your resume or try to make yourself seem better than you are. Being honest with people will ultimately be the best for your career because you'll find jobs where you can learn from others with more experience. Also, you should know that recruiters in the field talk to each other, so they will find out if you're not qualified or lie about why you didn't take a job.
Outside of the career search, remember to stay out of trouble so your record will be clean. For example, DUIs are a huge problem, and having one can mean you won't be hired to work at certain locations. Nuclear power plants need craft labor work and they pay much better than many others, but you can't work at a facility like this with a DUI on your record. Keep all of this in mind as you’re pursuing jobs.
When you're looking for craft labor work, a great place to check is with anyone who specializes in that field and knows your value. That's how you'll advance in the various craft labor-related industries such as aerospace, construction, engineering, and manufacturing. Find a job with ARC Services today!