My father just got laid off from an engineering job… he is whip smart and has basically remodeled the family home by himself… from installing hardwood floors, to plumbing/vanities/sinks to a new marble fireplace….th eplace is meticulous and perfect…he has an eye for detail, a strong-will and willingness to always learn about this stuff….out of my own curiosity, how would one go about finding a job in such a field….and what is it considered? Home development? Contracting?
Any info would be SUPER appreciated! Thanks!
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Welcome Jolene,
First fill out your (DADS) profile, then repost this in the Helps Wanted Work Wanted section.
SamT
cool thanks...I'll just send him the info to do so!
Jolene while I think Sam recommendation regarding posting this in the Helps Wanted Work Wanted section might be worthwhile I think you're asking a deeper question that's perfectly fine to look at here. Obviously I think your dad should build himself up a photo portfolio and a resume but in building the resume he should craft it so that it not just a list of where he worked but how he has problem solved projects even though they weren't in the building and remodeling field.
To tell you the truth I think I/we look more at problem solving skills and the ability to work with others than we do the technical accomplishments a person has had. For instance I don't really care if you've fabricated stair railings before. We can teach you that. What I care about is how you look at problems and solve things and whether you'll look to others for help and also share your knowledge and ideas with them too. Skills are great but we think there are some other things that are just as or perhaps more important.
Now for the bad news. Most contractors out there running a want ad just want a skilled body with a full set of tools to fill an immediate need they have and don't care are you fathers possible long term potential. Rather than going through the want ads I think a better strategy would be to build a list of top shelf professionally managed companies and cold call approach them and try to sell them on his aptitude while saying "I would like to work for a company like yours". And even then he'll have to be humble and be willing to start off lower than he would like on a tentative basis. If he really is sharp and talented I think a good manager or employer will recognize that and work with him and move him up to a level that's appropriate for him.
Also where is he located? Knowing that since some markets are hot while others are cooling off we might also be able to tell you a little bit more about what his prospects might be.
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thank you Jerrald...he is located in the Twin Cities... I am goign to forward him this info. I appreciate it!!!!Jolene
Jolene -
"thank you Jerrald...he is located in the Twin Cities"
Well I personally can't tell you anything about the market out there. I'm in New York so what I know is generally limited to NY and New England and just a few other markets I maybe have read about but hopefully someone will chime in who knows your fathers region.
You might also want to take a look at an old topic I started here regarding Job Interview Questions. I think if he can present himself in such a way that he can answer those kinds questions without the interviewer asking them he will make an even better presentation.
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As a former engineer (two fields over 30 years) I made the jump to GC a couple of years ago and (overall), it's going pretty well. I have a nice backlog and get all of my work thru referrals and repeat customers. Like your Dad, I had always done my own work and had developed the skills and acquired the tools on my own dime.
My biggest problem is the physical demands of the work. I just turned 60 and my knees and back just ain't what they used to be. A day or two climbing stairs or ladders - or crawling around laying tile leaves me really stiff and sore. (Thank the gods for ibuprofen - lol). Last week, I was in the shop all week making some cabinets and it was like a vacation. No ladders or stairs and (except when I dropped a screw that went under the workbench) no crawling, either. I actually felt almost human again - lol.
If your Dad really wants to make the jump, he'll need to pay close attention to how the work affects him. When I was engineering, I had several days in an office to recover from a weekend of hard work. Now, I'm humping it 5-6 days a week and paying the price.
all this info is really helpful, Thank you!
What was his Title at his Position ? And in what part of the country do you live ?
Mike - Foxboro