Greetings from Edmonton, Alberta

1814 Views 16 Replies 7 Participants Last post by daveEM, May 29, 2014

nWin

Discussion Starter · Apr 3, 2014

Hello ElectricianTalk,

Been lingering around this site for awhile, and I have decided to take the leap on becoming a Electrician (wish I did this sooner). Due to the lack of experience in the electrical/construction field I felt as if I would just get turned down immediately, and never bothered. As time moved on I realized that it's better to know you tried, and faced rejection instead of assuming rejection.

Yesterday I handed in half a dozen resumes, and today I was aiming for 4 more: K-Jay, Prospark, A Circuit Electric, Three Way Electrical, but my phone gps was going nuts in the industrial areas of town. Went to Bestbuy, and bought a real gps, and my hunt continues tomorrow.

I have my highschool grad, and was in computer science for a year before dropping out (mistakes of my younger self). The time required to fulfill my obligation as an apprentice does not bother me and I am willing to continue on for as long as need be to further my career.

I would like to start in the residential side, since I have been reading it's the best place to start. If anyone knows of places hiring starters, feel free to let me know, and I'll be there within 24hours. Or if your a journeyman looking for someone to take under your wing feel free to give me a message. Heck I would even work for free to prove myself. I'm 27, I have my own vehicle with a cleaning driving record, willing to buy a whole new set of tools to suit the work required, and I will pass any drug test at any given time.

Thanks for your time everyone. I may update as my search continues.

Jimmy

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

chicken steve

· #2 · Apr 3, 2014

Welcome to ET Jim

Good luck surviving the hazing :thumbsup:

~CS~

daveEM

· #3 · Apr 4, 2014

Welcome. Now hurry. Note: I am not a Union guy but this is a deal so hurry. Class starts April 14 if you can pull it off...

http://www.ibew424.net/training/pact.html

You will have a job at the end.

Ink&Brass

· #4 · Apr 4, 2014

Greetings from Edmonton also! There's lots of jobs available with smaller companies right now, I had three interviews in October as a "starter" (returning to the trade with 500 hours from 2009). The hardest part around here is getting your foot in the door, once you have your Blue Book you basically have a license to print money, a lot of shops are hurting for 1st & 2nd years.

HARRY304E

· #5 · Apr 4, 2014

Welcome aboard,,,,,Good luck on your search.:thumbsup:

nWin

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 4, 2014

Ink&Brass said:
Greetings from Edmonton also! There's lots of jobs available with smaller companies right now, I had three interviews in October as a "starter" (returning to the trade with 500 hours from 2009). The hardest part around here is getting your foot in the door, once you have your Blue Book you basically have a license to print money, a lot of shops are hurting for 1st & 2nd years.

Thanks, any of these smaller companies you recommend me dropping off my resume?

daveEM said:
Welcome. Now hurry. Note: I am not a Union guy but this is a deal so hurry. Class starts April 14 if you can pull it off...

http://www.ibew424.net/training/pact.html

You will have a job at the end.

$300 does seem cheap for a 12 week course. As of right now I wish to just throw myself at every company, and hope one bites

daveEM

· #7 · Apr 4, 2014

Don't get stuck on the $300, or the course education for that matter. Get stuck on the last sentence. Read pension, medical benefits, etc.

However like Ink&Brass says things appear to be hot in Edmonton now. If you do start in Resi move on as soon as you can to bigger and perhaps better things in the commercial, industrial end.

nWin

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 4, 2014

daveEM said:
Don't get stuck on the $300, or the course education for that matter. Get stuck on the last sentence. Read pension, medical benefits, etc.

However like Ink&Brass says things appear to be hot in Edmonton now. If you do start in Resi move on as soon as you can to bigger and perhaps better things in the commercial, industrial end.

For sure. From what I've been reading on this site you learn the residential side of things pretty quickly.

Handed in 2 more resumes today. Was hoping for more, but some of these shops close early (3pm)

nWin

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 27, 2014

All right ET

It's been about 3 weeks and 37 applications, and I have received no calls from anyone. Wondering what my next steps should be. My resume consist of accounts merchandising, and restaurant work, so should I head into construction to get some experience in the field?

Got some messages from fellow ET members about places hiring starters, but it seems they found someone else. Any kind of help or direction is much appreciated.

Thank you

FrunkSlammer

· #10 · May 27, 2014

Keep pushing.. it's spring time, companies are going to be ramping up and needing help. You should make it as easy on a company as possible to hire you, so have your basic tools ready to go, there's many threads on that.. and a hard hat, and work boots. Let them know you can start TODAY and are ready to prove yourself in the new career. Keep pounding doors and talking to people.

To be honest, the fact you don't have tools makes you seem not that serious about this choice. Even if you don't have ALL the tools, get a minimum basic together so at least when a guy asks "do you have tools? boots? hardhat? car?" you can say "Yes yes yes yes!"

nWin

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 27, 2014 (Edited)

FrunkSlammer said:
Keep pushing.. it's spring time, companies are going to be ramping up and needing help. You should make it as easy on a company as possible to hire you, so have your basic tools ready to go, there's many threads on that.. and a hard hat, and work boots. Let them know you can start TODAY and are ready to prove yourself in the new career. Keep pounding doors and talking to people.

To be honest, the fact you don't have tools makes you seem not that serious about this choice. Even if you don't have ALL the tools, get a minimum basic together so at least when a guy asks "do you have tools? boots? hardhat? car?" you can say "Yes yes yes yes!"

Thanks for the reply. :thumbup:

The only thing I'm missing there is a hardhat. I have basic tools from doing DIY work around my place. The problem is getting a interview or 5 minutes of someones time so I can attempt to sell myself to them.

FrunkSlammer

· #12 · May 27, 2014

Good, then you're set. Don't sweat it.. I pounded the pavement for probably 2 months with absolutely no bites, then one day some company was desperate enough they took me on.

Hardest part was getting in.. once you're going and work hard, build some hours and experience, it's easy to jump around. So take ANYTHING you can, even a crap company.. so long as they will sponsor you and you will have an apprentice card and be building hours.

nWin

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 27, 2014

FrunkSlammer said:
Good, then you're set. Don't sweat it.. I pounded the pavement for probably 2 months with absolutely no bites, then one day some company was desperate enough they took me on.

Hardest part was getting in.. once you're going and work hard, build some hours and experience, it's easy to jump around. So take ANYTHING you can, even a crap company.. so long as they will sponsor you and you will have an apprentice card and be building hours.

K thanks. Hopefully everything works out.

Went to a few places today to try and get some face time, but none of the people in charge of hiring was there.

Dr. Evil

· #14 · May 27, 2014 (Edited)

Hey - Im in Edmonton too. Good luck in your search and career aspirations. Sorry I cant help you with any job leads. Im looking for another gig myself.

One thing though - in my opinion - dont work for free. If you are a dedicated hard worker you have a lot to offer and deserve to be paid especially in this economy. You may have to look at moving, as I had to when I started. There is lots of work - Edson, Whitecourt, cold lake, Fort Mac if you want to do the oilfield/industrial thing.

Again, good luck.

Oh an that course DaveEM pointed out to you is a HELL of a deal IMO.

daveEM

· #15 · May 28, 2014

IBEW 424 (Edmonton) is advertising on the Radio about an upcoming job fair. Call or check their website.

nWin

Discussion Starter · #16 · May 28, 2014

Dr. Evil said:
Hey - Im in Edmonton too. Good luck in your search and career aspirations. Sorry I cant help you with any job leads. Im looking for another gig myself.

One thing though - in my opinion - dont work for free. If you are a dedicated hard worker you have a lot to offer and deserve to be paid especially in this economy. You may have to look at moving, as I had to when I started. There is lots of work - Edson, Whitecourt, cold lake, Fort Mac if you want to do the oilfield/industrial thing.

Again, good luck.

Oh an that course DaveEM pointed out to you is a HELL of a deal IMO.

If all else fails I may start looking into moving, but everyone keeps telling me Edmonton is booming. Been applying to Nisku, Leduc as well since I live south west, and it wouldn't be hard to commute there.

daveEM said:
IBEW 424 (Edmonton) is advertising on the Radio about an upcoming job fair. Call or check their website.

I checked the website. I will be checking the job fair out this Friday. The site says they are looking for journeymen and 2-4th year apprentice, but it doesn't hurt to try.

daveEM

· #17 · May 29, 2014 (Edited)

nWin said:
I checked the website. I will be checking the job fair out this Friday. The site says they are looking for journeymen and 2-4th year apprentice, but it doesn't hurt to try.

Exactly! Maybe no 2nds will show. Maybe only you will show

:thumbup:

Instant job.

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