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70  percent of all new HVAC businesses fail within the first year of operations. Currently, more than 105,000 HVAC companies are operating in the United States. With such a high number of industry players, landing your first job as a newbie can be hectic. 

Are you a fresh HVAC technician hoping to get your first HVAC job soon? The high failure rates in the sector can be a discouraging factor for any HVAC internet. However, you don’t need to worry about being a new entrant with the right knowledge and insights.

An HVAC technician job can be a fulfilling and rewarding career. With a little balance between experience and skill, you should soon be able to break into the market. 

These ten badass tips can help you land your first HVAC job and kick start your career path. 

1. Work on Your Resume

Your resume mirrors an accurate picture of your background. Before a potential client assesses your core capabilities, they first review your resume. If you are looking forward to landing your first HVAC job, it will help build your resume so that prospective clients can’t resist your services.

Ensure that your resume accentuates the positives. You can achieve this by listing your experience in the field. It would also help to include every award attained during your HVAC apprenticeship journey. 

A good resume should also mention interests that align with the HVAC career. This is your best shot at convincing a stranger that you’re worth their money. With this in mind, you should do your best to ensure that your resume stands out.

2. Learn the Basics 

Most people don’t have a problem with hiring a novice. Even so, you must prove that, at the bare minimum, you understand the basics as an HVAC technician. Do you know the fundamentals of air conditioning and refrigeration systems? 

Your success in the HVAC industry will depend on your ability to apply the basic concepts gathered in class and in real-life situations. This means that you must grasp the theoretical aspect of HVAC to be able to use the knowledge in a practical scenario. Most potential clients consider your understanding of basic HVAC a deal-breaker when hiring a greenhorn.

Before rolling up your sleeves to look for an HVAC job, assess your aptitude and understanding of the basic HVAC systems. This will give you the confidence to approach a prospective client. 

3. Have the Right Computer Skills in Readiness for Your First HVAC Job 

Granted, you aren’t a tech geek. Nonetheless, the world is changing, and there’s no longer enough room for computer illiteracy. If you’re hoping to land your first HVAC job soon, you might need to up your tech-savviness.

As with all things today, most HVAC systems have become more high-tech. You won’t land your first HVAC job soon enough without a basic understanding of computers and the link with HVAC systems. Computers help HVAC technicians track clients while keeping up with the various assignments. 

More importantly, most modern HVAC equipment operates within a computer-controlled system. You might need to ensure that you understand computer applications in the control and maintenance of HVACs.

4. Improve Your Communication Skills

You might have the right academic qualifications and a superb resume, but takes longer to land your first HVAC job. Working as an HVAC technician requires a unique ability to communicate and resonate with potential clients. You’ll probably get to talk to agitated clients looking for reassurance about their own HVAC needs.

Remember that at least 87% of American households have air conditioning equipment. But don’t get it twisted; the market might be significant, but you won’t succeed as a technician if you can’t communicate with your clients. Work on your interpersonal skills before venturing out to look for your first contract. 

Communication involves listening, empathy, and open-mindedness. You might also need to work on your body language. Ultimately, your resume might be commendable, but your first HVAC job might be long coming without the right communication skills.

5. Be Equipped 

Being a beginner should never excuse your lack of preparedness. If you’re pursuing an HVAC career, a few “must-haves” will set you apart. Every first-time client wants to be sure that you have the right equipment. 

Hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, and tape measures should never miss in your toolbox. The best investment for an HVAC technician is in the tools of the trade they own. Other critical equipment includes crescent wrenches, powered drills, and pipe wrenches.

Ensure that you have the essential equipment before you go all out looking for your first HVAC job. No homeowner or business will contract you if you don’t have the right equipment for the job. 

6. Know Your Worth

You must be dying to make your first dollar in the HVAC business. However, your pricing might be keeping you away from your first real deal. According to the BLS, as of October 2020, the median pay for an HVAC mechanic and installer in the year 2019 was $23.43 per hour. 

A seasoned HVAC technician can earn up to $37 per hour, depending on other factors, such as years of experience. Nonetheless, for a beginner hoping to land your first job, it would make more sense to settle for a bargain price. You want to attract a few first-time clients as a means of building your profile.

The bad news is that you might need to lower your worth in the medium term. However, the best news is that your worth will grow in due time. 

7. Consider Volunteering 

A common baseline when choosing an HVAC technician is often their experience.  Unfortunately, as a greenhorn, the level of knowledge can be the most significant obstacle between you and your first HVAC job. Your best bet in this scenario would be to consider volunteering your services to gain the requisite experience. 

The best thing about volunteering is that you can work under a highly experienced mentor. With the right mentorship program, you can volunteer your services and learn the ropes. Part of the reason why you need to volunteer is to gain practical know-how.

A portion of the process of breaking out in any career includes a period of offering one’s services, time, and skills free. This is important in landing your first job. 

Are you looking forward to landing your first HVAC job? It might help to consider participating in an unpaid mentorship arrangement to help you acquire the necessary skills. 

8. Consider Getting a License  

Most states don’t require single HVAC technicians to have a license. The procedure of licensing is often a reserved for more prominent HVAC companies. There were at least 367,900 HVAC technicians, mechanics, and installers in the USA in 2019, which means that you need a differentiating factor to thrive in the sector.

Applying for a license can easily land you your first job. While a permit is not mandatory, it adds a sense of professionalism and credibility when approaching clients. Given a choice between a licensed beginner and an unlicensed HVAC veteran technician, most clients would consider the former. 

Applying for a license will give you an edge over the rest, given that it’s a confirmation of your qualification as an HVAC technician. If you’re wondering how to kickstart your HVAC career, then licensing should be a precursor to landing your first job. 

9. Consider Specialized Certification 

There can be multiple ways of becoming an HVAC technician. Most budding HVAC technicians learn their skills on the job. However, it’s often hard to land your first HVAC job with such basic education. If you want to succeed in the HVAC career, you might need to consider specialized certification through continuous learning. 

The HVAC technician requirements vary from one State to the next. Nevertheless, taking up additional certification is an individual decision, which can be scaling your career development. Some of the advanced certification options you might consider include North American Technician Excellence (NATE) and the HVAC Excellence certification.

10. Have Insurance Coverage 

Your role as an HVAC technician exposes you and the HVAC systems you manage to unending risks. Most homeowners and businesses understand this risk of liability too well. As such, only a handful of potential clients are willing to work with an uninsured HVAC technician. 

The owner of the premise covers any liability in case of personal injury to an uninsured HVAC technician. This informs the keen focus among homeowners only to hire insured HVAC contractors.

Are you hoping to land your first job soon? It would help to consider getting full coverage for workmanship compensation in case of on-the-job injuries. 

Prepare Adequately for Your First Job 

The HVAC industry has grown exponentially over the last two decades. Today, HVAC technicians are in high demand as the majority of American households embrace modern HVAC equipment. However, the sector is also highly competitive, given the growing number of highly qualified technicians.

Are you looking to land your first HVAC job in the market soon? These tips can go a long way towards preparing you for the task ahead. You can also learn more about continuous learning and certification programs on our website.

All you need is to contact us today and kick start your path towards career development.

Download our no-cost Ebook “How To Become An HVAC Technician In California.”