Recently, I came across a negative comment on a post about opportunities in skilled trades.
Post:
Students are beginning to see the opportunities in skilled trades and are choosing to forego college and the associated debt!
Comment:
My buddy has worked in HVAC for two years — he makes more money working at McDonald’s.
Having spent nearly 25 years around the trades, a few thoughts came to mind—particularly about how NOT to succeed in the trades. So, if you’re considering a career in this field, here are some ways to be mediocre and just get by:
1. Don’t Work Hard
Avoid physical labor whenever possible. Don’t volunteer to dig trenches (if you’re in plumbing) or dismantle old systems (if you’re in HVAC). Disappear whenever there’s work in tight spaces or at heights. Be careful to not be TOO lazy – but don’t be the eager beaver who always applies.
2. Keep Your Phone Front and Center
Pay too much attention to your cell phone. Play “just one more round” of that favorite game, text your friends, check sports scores, or surf YouTube at every opportunity.
In a training program for drain cleaners—which mixed classroom and fieldwork—a common issue was trainees surfing their phones during lessons. The trainers collected phones during classroom sessions to minimize distractions. During fieldwork, mentors often told me that trainees were glued to their phones instead of soaking in the knowledge or asking questions.
Pro tip: If you get the chance to learn in a hands-on environment, seize it. You’re traveling with your mentor from one job to the next – ASK questions—about past jobs, upcoming work, or methods. Be curious and eager. It’s okay – you’re expected to know everything yet.
3. Avoid Interacting with People
Don’t bother explaining what you’re doing to clients or colleagues, even if encouraged. The client doesn’t need to know every detail, and if you talk too much or promise too much, they might think they can do the job themselves or interfere with your work. Or they may expect better results.
4. Complain About Pay
Constantly vent about your wages. Mention your rent or car payments and how much you need to earn. Use that as justification for a raise! Because pay should be tied to your financial circumstance.
Pro Tip: If you want to make more money – focus on developing communication skills. Connect effectively with your boss, coworkers, and especially clients.
Many new techs leave drain cleaning or HVAC training within a few weeks because it’s hard work, messy, or early mornings aren’t their thing. Yet, it’s also common for a tech to make $70,000 in their first year—far surpassing the $12 or $15 hourly they might have earned at a previous job.
5. Neglect Your Reputation
Focus solely on making the most money per call. Don’t worry about developing clients who request you because they trust your work. Take the easy way – cut corners, skip extra steps, and never go beyond what’s asked. This approach may give short-term gains but hurts long-term growth and trust.
Pro Tip: Many companies have techs who are constantly requested by clients – because of prior experiences with that tech, because of a neighbor’s recommendation OR even because of the reviews on Google or Yelp! Yes, those “reviews” can create more opportunities and make you more money!
6 Set Rigid Boundaries
Tell your employer you can’t work overtime or weekends—that your time is too valuable. Wouldn’t hurt to tell them the types of calls you’d prefer. Request later start times and avoid taking last jobs of the day. Steer clear of “bad” neighborhoods to keep a low profile. The less people know about your skills, the lower their expectations—and the less they’ll rely on you.
In the field, you’ll encounter standout “prima donnas” who pick and choose their calls. However, sometimes, they’re wrong.
For example, heard of an HVAC tech who refused a service call in a lower-income zip code, claiming “no one has money there.” The shop sent a newer tech instead, who sold nearly $30,000 worth of upgrades—a commission of 6%. You can do the math. That quick sale earned the new tech a significant commission, while the “top guy” found himself under scrutiny from upper management for a long time.
Bottom Line
Success in the trades isn’t accidental. It’s a result of performance, dedication, and seizing opportunities. Those who consistently excel do so by earning their reputation—showing effort, asking questions, and going beyond the minimum. You really want to succeed? Take charge of your career. Demonstrate your skills, work ethic, and eagerness to learn. Show us what you’ve got!
