I have recently been looking for a job ( previous company downsized/ layed me off) as a carpenter. Many of the companies that I have talked to, the first question is do I have a drivers license. After I assure them that I do, and it is not a temparary one, the next question is can I lead (nice transition hey). To this I kind waffle around and say maybe. To be truthful, I wouldnt consider myself a lead carpenter, not even close. I can work on my own or independently, figure things out, but I dont think that makes a lead.
In my mind a lead should be pretty much accomplished in most areas of carpentry, or if not, at least familiar enough to figure it out. What do you guys see as qualifications of what makes a lead?
Well Im on it, what do you expect from an entry level carpenter, a mid level carp, and an accomplished carpenter?
Thanx,
m2akita
Replies
http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/index.php
Those boys and girls actually have a forum dedicated to the lead carpenter experience. Might answer some of your questions.
I've always figured a lead would be an accomplished carp that can lead other carps, accomplished or not. Not everyone can be a people leader. The lead should be able to multitask with a variety of skill levels under them. Basically. a good lead has to have management skills.
Entry level should at least be willing to learn and take his lumps.
Mid level has a little more experience.
Accomplished carp has the experience and the tools he needs.
Aryn
Good topic. If I were hiring, from a rookie, I don't care about qualifications. I'll hire attitude. For a mid level, I'd be looking for a strong degree of self reliance. The kind of person who you can give directions to, and they will respond with questions to clarify the things they're not sure if they follow. Once clairified, they can be left on the job site for the day and the GC/boss/owner can go do something else productive. Smart enough to know when they don't know. Ability to problem solve. Wisdom to grab the phone and call when they can't answer a question. For a lead, I can hand you a crew and a print. I'll check in on you next week, and everything will be dandy. Goal and mission oriented. Ability to lead, train, motivate, and evaluate others while they themselves are working. And provide feedback both up and down the organizational structure. A lead knows what's going on now and what's going to be going on next week, and he's already checked the pile the lumber truck dumped in the driveway and is only calling you to keep you in the loop that you got shorted some item and he's already called the yard to get the situation rectified.
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
Take the job. There are several folks on BT who have "messages" at the end of their posts which should point you in the right direction. Say yes and then find out how to do it. You will learn and possibly succeed. If you do your best, what does it matter whether you succeed or fail? If you think you can do it, you can. If you think you can't...
leadership courses in the military ask you to seek responsibility. and take responsibility for your actions. its the only way you can learn. go for it!
I just came off a 4 year stint working as a lead with a succesful high end builder and am now back on my own much to the chagrin of the bosses....just had to make more $$. It was a good experience. I had 22 years behind me as a self employed before taking the job, so job know how was seldom an issue. I took the job because of burnout and I could drop my hammer at 4:00 and not worry as much.
What you really need as a lead are two things, people skills and organization. You have to know how to plan ahead and troubleshoot before or when problems arise. There is much paperwork as a lead so if you have a weakness with that....learn it and develop a system. Have a notebook, and write EVERYTHING down. I used to keep a daily log, the other leads didn't but I found it very valuable. Be on top of things, there's much phonecalling and you should always stay on top of that. ALWAYS return phonecalls. Don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't know the answer to something workwise, (throw the ego away), ask them of the subs and the people in the company under you.
People skills: Learn how to act in a professional manner with people both in person and on the phone. If you have a good sense of humor...use it. It got me out of many bad spots. Some foremen are real s.o.b.'s and they get what they want because of that. I don't subscribe to that method. I always got the person , worker or sub, to really like me and would go to my utmost to help them and smooth things along to make their job easier as well. Do that a few times and watch how they treat you and do as good job. If there is something bad or wrong on the job, learn how not to get too excited about it. Be calm and take the path of least resistance to solve a mistake or problem.
Lastly, watch, read, and really learn the building trades. It takes a lifetime but why not? You emerge with a grasp onto something that is very tangible, respected and useful. It's funny, my wife is a principal of a private scool in the area so I get to go to many high brow related events and dinner parties. They start out talking about this $, and that senator, and who's who....but they always end up crowded around me for advice on what to do and how to do it with their home problems. At the end of the evening I emerge with a satisfied appetite and ego.
Plunge in.
....Yeah, perhaps I should go to my wife and ask her how to spell school...or is it skool? Uh, scheul? I gotta go to work.