Finding a Plumbing job

BUILD YOURSELF A NETWORK

7 - Networking is king. According to Google there are for links of separation between you and any other person on the planet, so if you ask a friend, who asks a friend and they ask some-one that person will know someone who could get you your job, like Charlie Mullins who owns Pimlico plumbers or Billy the gas man who is looking for a new apprentice. Far more jobs are offered through personal recommendations or personal contacts than through job ads. Personal and business networking sites should be fully utilised facebook.com or linkedin.com are two good examples that can get your employment needs known by many people.

8 - Your family and your friends are some of the most valuable resources you have, as these people will go out of their way for you and even cover the costs of you working for them. Use these people and their favours, be very wary of turning any offer down. Networking through your family and friends can open a lot of doors as they will have their own group of friends and network.

9 - Join the Chartered Institute for Plumbing and Heating Engineers (CIPHE) or Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC). These trade associations will give you very precise networking opportunities, as some jobs are only advertised here and also there is a bulletin board where you can post looking for work. There is also trade based news and occasionally free training.

10 - keep a list of potential employers, ex employers, old colleagues and other contacts from the industry and make sure that you keep them up to date with your contact details. Try to keep in touch with these people occasionally, they will know your value better than anyone else. If they don't have an immediate need for their services, they may well know other people that do. By referring your services on to their contacts you come 'tried and tested' which puts you in a strong position. You can actively encourage such referrals by being upfront about wanting to be recommended to their contacts,

11 - Make your situation known to all of your contacts, do so in authentic and considerate way, asking them for advise instead of a job, which will come across as less pushy. Start making contact with the people in your network. This is where your list will come in, be systematic. Let them know that you’re looking for a job but be subtle. Be specific about what kind of work you’re looking for and ask them if they have any information or know anyone in a relevant field. Don’t assume that certain people won’t be able to help. You may be surprised by who they know.