Important Skills to Include on Your Electrician Resume

May 16, 2023

It’s only natural to want to land the best possible job in your field. And one of the most important things you can do to achieve that goal is to ensure your resume stands out. If you’re an electrician, your skills are what will set you apart from the competition. But which skills should you highlight on your electrician resume? Let’s take a look.

Technical Skills

Also known as hard skills, these should form the backbone of your electrician resume. “Electrician” is a pretty broad category, so listing your technical skills is a great way to show potential employers exactly what you know how to do. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Installing electrical systems, including cables and tubing
Electrical maintenance
Using small hand tools
Testing electrical equipment
Utilizing and troubleshooting programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
Knowledge of the National Electric Code as well as relevant local codes
Quality assurance

Soft Skills

Also known as people skills, these are transferrable across all industries. They consist of the skills that make life at work run more smoothly and should always be included on your electrician resume. Soft skills include, but are not limited to:

Organization
Communication
Problem-solving
Creative thinking
Flexibility
Professionalism

Supplemental Skills

Depending on the exact position you are going for, you may also want to list other types of skills on your resume. These might include:

Business skills, such as cost estimating and project planning
Physical skills, such as manual dexterity or the ability to fit into tight spaces
Leadership skills, such as people management and conflict resolution

You can acquire the skills you need for your electrician resume in various ways. Technical skills typically come from certification programs or on-the-job training. But you might gain other skills from school projects, volunteer experiences, or unrelated jobs. When you sit down to write your resume, be sure to think through all of your different life experiences and how what you learned might be valuable in your work as an electrician.

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At Great Lakes Skilled Trades, we specialize in connecting professionals in the skilled trades with contractors who need their services throughout the Great Lakes region. If you’re a skilled trade worker looking for your next position, check out our available jobs today!

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Overcoming Common Challenges in Urban Commercial Construction

March 27, 2024

Urban commercial construction brings a whole set of challenges that contractors in the suburbs and rural areas never have to consider. But revitalization is extremely important for urban cores to survive and thrive, so these projects can be quite lucrative. Here are some common difficulties, along with tips to overcome them and remain on good terms with the neighbors. Tight Spaces In urban areas, there simply isn’t as much space to move around. You might have difficulty getting some of your heavy machinery to fit, or your subcontractors could be trying to paint an apartment the size of an average broom closet. Rise to the challenge by thinking outside the box. Carefully survey the entire space before you get started, and develop a detailed project plan in advance. Be sure to include entry and egress routes, alternative ways of getting things done, and even subcontractor schedules that minimize the number of people working in the same space at the same time. Local Regulations Many urban areas have byzantine construction regulations that are confusing and hard to follow. Take the time to research these regulations and understand what you need to do. Then, boil it all down into a simple, easy-to-read document that you distribute to everyone involved. Get to know the local authorities and find someone whom you can call whenever you have questions or concerns. Make sure your team members are ready to pivot if you find out that you missed or misinterpreted something significant. Always have a backup plan. Community Engagement Transparency can go a long way toward getting the local community on your side. Let people know what you’re working on and how it will benefit them. Explain why the project is happening, how long it will take, and whether it will impact their costs (such as taxes). If you’re redeveloping a historic building, be especially sensitive to the concerns of preservationists and meet with them separately to explain your plans. Noise Control You won’t endear yourself to the local community if you’re making a lot of noise when residents are trying to sleep. And remember, even if you’re working on an office building, there could be luxury apartments right next door. Use sound baffling measures to reduce noise. Whenever possible, work during daylight hours. Minimizing Disruptions No matter how careful you are, urban commercial construction projects are inherently disruptive to the neighborhood. But you can mitigate this with careful planning. Try not to block streets during morning or evening rush hours. Be considerate of any upcoming local events. Do your best not to interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic patterns. When you do need to create a blockage, be sure to put up signage and work as quickly as you can without compromising safety. Need a Skilled Trade Professional? At Great Lakes Skilled Trades, we specialize in connecting contractors with professionals in the skilled trades throughout the Great Lakes region. If you need a skilled tradesperson, learn more about our services, and then contact us today!