Approaching potential employers.

[nicebutdim]

Not looking for a job - well I am and would welcome any offers, but that's not the purpose of this thread. What I need at the moment is advice about what sort of approach is most likely to be well received by potential employers.

I might have the opportunity to start a full apprenticeship this year (covid and course space permitting) and need to find someone to take me on in some, way shape or form.

For the first year, I don't need to be working in the trade full time and the college have no issue with me being self-employed, which means that small operations wouldn't have the burden of taking me onto their books - ie. no burden of sick pay, holiday pay etc, but just pay me for hours worked and I take care of the rest.

What I have no idea about is how to approach local electricians. I've drawn up a list, but hope that some of you can advise on the best way to tackle this, without either hassling busy people or making approaches that go unnoticed. 25 years of ploughing my own furrow have left me with no concept whatsoever about how the labour market works - all I know is that it took several years to get to this stage and I don't want to miss out (if the opportunity does arise for September). Another option is offering to work FOC, but that would limit available hours as I'd still need to make money elsewhere.

 

[Pete999]

No offence taken.

I'd like to think thay I'd be hitting the ground around mate level, but knowledge and experience have been based on domestic work. As I'm hoping to start an apprenticeship, I don't expect to be offered the going rate as a mate and would like to think any wage would be justified within a short space of time. Have own tools and transport - at least a basic level of knowledge and the sort of drive that comes with age and commitments.

I'm not looking for a free ride, but an opportunity to learn and train. This is a two way street and I fully expect to uphold my end of the deal. Businesses exist to make money and, at the same time as gaining experience, I'd like to think any business will profit from the hours I work.

The question I'm aking is what sort of approach you guys would most likely respond favourably to?

Face to Face and be completely honest about your intentions and aspirations, don't bull s--t it never pays, and lying will find you out in the long term

 

[nicebutdim]

Agreed. It is a good time. Can't give you any advice on how to approach employers as its that long since I did it myself. What I can say is that from your posts.. your level of interest, drive and capability are evident. I did ring a company I work with just now (in Portavogie, near you?) but they are not taking on apprentices due to concentrating on sub contracting. But its not something I would have done if I did, nt have confidence in you

Appreciate the comments.

 

[nicebutdim]

Face to Face and be completely honest about your intentions and aspirations, don't bull s--t it never pays, and lying will find you out in the long term

Bit long in the tooth for bull. I've always worked on the assumption that it's better to slightly downplay one's abilities, rather than overestate them.

 

[7029 dave]

Bit long in the tooth for bull. I've always worked on the assumption that it's better to slightly downplay one's abilities, rather than overestate them.

I remember when went for interview as a third year apprentice, one of the company directors asked me what experience I had, went through the Q&A told him had done quite a bit of MICC work, anyway got the job. Guess what they had me doing, making off all the MICC terminations in a office block.

The moral of the story they tested me out, and they were very happy with my work. So tell them everthing you can do dont play it down.