Whether you’re wondering if the HVAC industry could be a right fit for you or you’re contemplating switching job fields, you’ll want to keep reading. The HVAC industry continues to grow and with the numbers of new people going into the skilled labor fields dropping, the demand for skilled workers in this industry continues to climb. Working in the HVAC industry provides people with more than just a job, but rather a career that presents the possibility for continued growth.
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There are certain soft skills that make entering and working in every industry a little easier, and the HVAC industry is no exception. Soft skills, unlike hard skills that commonly require specific training, are a combination of communication, people and social skills along with various personality traits and attitudes. Some soft skills are inherent, but many are developed over time without us even realizing it. For the HVAC industry, there are a combination of soft and hard skills that tend to appear in those that thrive in this field. If you exhibit some of the skills below, then this might be a good career path for you to consider.
1. Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting is an important skillset to have in most career fields, but it is especially important in the HVAC field where you’re often called upon to identify and fix sometimes vague problems without an obvious cause. For some, troubleshooting is an enjoyable process that is tackled in a strategic way, working through problems in order of how likely they are to occur. Troubleshooting allows people to use their prior experience, instincts and training to artfully work through challenges and identify problems in order to recommend the most viable solution. This skill is constantly being used by those in the HVAC field and will always come in handy on and off the jobsite.
2. Being On-the-Go
Some people enjoy knowing exactly where they’ll be every day, others, prefer a job with a little more flexibility and spontaneity. HVAC professionals are constantly on-the-go in order to serve clients, meaning that each week will look a little different. If adapting to different situations and being flexible is a soft skill of yours, then a career in the HVAC industry might be just the way to work in an environment that best suits your preferences.
3. Working with Your Hands
If you’ve always enjoyed working with tools, building things, taking things apart or otherwise using your hands, then a career in the HVAC industry may be for you. In the HVAC field, workers are constantly working with their hands to complete repairs, installations, troubleshoot and more. People that tend to like this aspect of work enjoy the ability they have to build something up, create or fix something themselves. In this field you’ll use common tools, like hammers and wrenches, but you’ll also get to learn how to use industry-specific tools. Not only does working with your hands provide you with a real sense of satisfaction once your job is complete, but it also promotes continued learning and serves as a way to support your skills.
4. Staying One Step Ahead
Some people just have a knack for always being one step ahead of everyone else. These people are often the same ones that can detect a problem before it becomes a problem because they are always looking ahead instead of just at what’s in front of them. In the HVAC industry, it’s not only helpful, but important to be able to identify problems before they happen. Whether that means spotting a problem that could be avoided with maintenance or catching something that was done improperly before you, noticing a problem beforehand will be a huge relief to you and your clients. Spotting a problem early-on is good for obvious reasons, but it also shows that you’re able to see the big picture rather than just the task at hand. Understanding how the task you’re doing in the moment fits into the grand scheme of things and catching a potential problem in the process is a vital skill to possess in this industry.
5. Interacting Directly with Customers
There are some careers that offer little to no direct interaction with the customers that your business is serving. This isn’t the case in the HVAC industry. In this industry, technicians are constantly working directly with customers and in turn, get to meet a lot of new people. If you enjoy working with people and actually meeting the customers that you’re having an impact on, then you’ll enjoy what you get to do in this field. As a worker in the HVAC field, you are directly interacting with the customers that you serve on a nearly everyday-basis. Your ability to build trust with clients and make them feel comfortable will help you build your career and add some enjoyment to your workday.
6. Explaining Complex Problems Simply
We’ve all experienced speaking with an industry-professional about a problem and having no idea what they’re saying the problem or solution is because of all the complex systems and industry-jargon. This is something that HVAC professionals commonly experience when speaking with customers. HVAC systems are very specific to that industry and aren’t always the easiest thing to explain to everyday customers unfamiliar with this field. If you have the knack for explaining complex problems in a simple way that everyone can understand, then you’ll be able to better communicate with your customers. Being able to take your industry knowledge and describe it to customers without using overly-complex or technical language will make it easy for customers to understand and communicate with you.
If you have some or all of these soft skills then the HVAC industry might be the place for you to thrive. Working in a career that uses your soft skills increases your chances of success and feeling fulfilled. Joining the team at JAC Services can provide you with an exciting, flexible and growing career in this field.
