What are some useful tips when starting off in a trade job?

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1. Work your ass off, show everyone that you take what you do seriously and always be willing to improve your work.

2. You will get pranked/hazed. Don’t take it personally.

   Take every opportunity to learn something new.

3. Work! Work everyday you can.

4. Leave your feelings at home

5. Hussle. With everything thrown at you to do.

   If it’s going to grab something in the van – be quick about it.

   Move faster than the others at everything.

6. Don’t whine and complain

7. Eyes are on you. Old boys might drag their feet or seem to but they have years of networking and experience. As the new person be keen and seem to work hard. Its key if you want to get brought in on other jobs.

8. When you’re done with whatever project you were put on, go to your foreman and ask for another. Don’t make a scene of it, simply ask “what else you got for me?”

9. Don’t think you know it all just because you went to trade school. You will learn a lot more on the job than any trade school will ever be able to teach you. With that in mind, spend as much time as you can with the people who show the highest competence on the job, learn as much as you can through them. Don’t make fun of the old guys, they know the most.

10. Offer to help. Don’t take on a not my job not my problem attitude.

11. Good boots, at least for most jobs. Ask your new co-workers what works best, or just look at the brands they’re using. Ditto for gloves and weather gear.

    If you’re cold, or miserable or (worse) hurting, you won’t be much use to your employers. The first few weeks are critical in regards to their opinions of you. You need to be reasonably comfortable during this time.

12. Don’t resent your customers.

13. Become friends with the old timer and watch them like a hawk