An electrician’s job is physically demanding. It requires lots of climbing, squatting and crawling to work in tight spaces.
Becoming an electrician involves extensive training from a trade school or apprenticeship program where you earn while you learn. While technical skills are essential, you also need good people skills to be successful.
Safety
A good electrician is trained and knowledgeable in electrical safety protocols. This is important, since they work with electricity in dangerous environments. They also have to be careful when using tools with sharp or pointed edges, which could cause cuts.
Electricians should always use ground-fault circuit interrupter plugs, keep equipment and wiring away from wet locations, and examine their tools regularly for broken ground pins, frayed cord lines, or cracks in insulation. They should also be familiar with their employer’s Lockout/Tagout procedure, which ensures that all exposed electrical parts are de-energized before electricians begin working on them.
One of the most common electrical safety concerns involves daisy chains. When electricians see cords pulled into power strips, it’s a sign that they’re not being properly maintained and could be a fire hazard. Also, if you see power cords running under door frames, it’s unsafe because closing the doors squishes them and creates heat that can energize the frame.
Communication
As an electrician, you will need to communicate with customers and other tradesmen in a professional environment. Problems may arise that you are not familiar with or able to resolve, and you will need critical thinking skills to analyze the situation and locate solutions. You will also need physical stamina to work with electrical wiring, motors and equipment and manual dexterity to use drills, saws, pliers and wire strippers.
Some clients are difficult to deal with, and you will need strong customer service skills to manage these situations. You must also be able to explain technical issues in a way that makes sense to customers. This includes eliminating industry jargon like watts and amps that can confuse clients.
At Daven Electric Corp, we understand the importance of open communication with our clients. We prioritize keeping our clients updated about the progress of their electrical projects and relaying any unexpected roadblocks that may occur during a job.
Customer Service
Electricians work with clients directly, especially those who specialize in home repairs. They often communicate with clients over the phone before they arrive to understand their problem and then interact with them on-site to perform repairs or installations. It is important for new electricians to develop communication skills and learn how to effectively engage with customers.
Many electricians find that having a good online presence is critical to getting new business. A website provides a place to post valuable information about services and answer common questions from customers before they call. It is also an opportunity to highlight positive reviews and testimonials from past clients.
Using a mobile field management software can help electricians to improve their onsite sales. Tools like MAP’s digital price book allow for easy presentation of additional products and services and allows for upselling. The system also captures every call so that electricians never miss a potential customer or new lead.
Time Management
Managing the time it takes to complete tasks is an ongoing concern for any electrician. It can be easy to get bogged down in a single project or task, wasting valuable time.
Keeping track of the work you have done can help you to manage your time better in the future. Using an online journal or notes app to record your daily achievements is a great way to keep on top of things.
Whether they’re installing power points, repairing outlets or working with other high-voltage electrical equipment, electricians must always have good critical thinking skills to troubleshoot and solve problems. They also require excellent visual attention to read technical documents, blueprints and wiring diagrams. Physical stamina and strength are necessary to lift heavy objects and work with tools like drills, saws and pliers. It’s also important for electricians to be able to climb, stand and crouch for extended periods of time. Taking courses to keep up with changing technology is also recommended.
