How to ask to be a plumbers mate or ask a compamy fo they need an apprentice

[EoinMcD]

Hi all.... I'm a nervous guy when it comes to picking up a phone and sound confident asking for something like an apprenticeship.

I have tried to email or message company's but it doesn't work. I have previous experience (fitting bathrooms & all the plumbing obviously not on my own).

I just want to know how you would start the conversation or if you are an employer yourself how would you like me to start the conversation?

I'm 20yr... just nervous but really want to start the trade.

 

[Chuck]

Start by accepting that cold calling most businesses hoping they'll have an opening has a fairly low chance of working. (As compared with applying for advertised jobs.) You are going to have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find someone with a job waiting to be filled.

That said, nothing beats an in-person meeting when it comes to persuading someone of your passion and to give you a chance. If you haven't done so already, get yourself a simple CV -- one page clearly stating your contact details, education / training, experience, and the type of work you are looking for (no bullshit) -- so you can leave a copy with them to keep on file. Get someone with good English skills to check it over for you. Keep a couple of copies in a folder so they stay fresh and clean when you hand it over.

When you meet people be polite, cheerful and enthusiastic about what you want to do. Stay cheerful and enthusiastic even if they can't offer you anything because things people look for these days are 'resilience' and 'professionalism' not 'snowflake'. Be ready for them to call your bluff with a skills-test so keep your hand in and your knowledge up to date.

Also, use the search box on the top right of this page to look for threads discussing how to get work. Lots of good advice from people with lots of experience and some great ideas.

 

[EoinMcD]

Start by accepting that cold calling most businesses hoping they'll have an opening has a fairly low chance of working. (As compared with applying for advertised jobs.) You are going to have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find someone with a job waiting to be filled.

That said, nothing beats an in-person meeting when it comes to persuading someone of your passion and to give you a chance. If you haven't done so already, get yourself a simple CV (one page clearly stating your contact details, education / training, experience, and the type of work you are looking for (no bullshit) so you can leave a copy with them to keep on file. Get someone with good English skills to check it over for you. Keep a couple of copies in a folder so they stay fresh and clean when you hand it over.

When you meet people be polite, cheerful and enthusiastic about what you want to do. Stay cheerful and enthusiastic even if they can't offer you anything because one of the things people look for these days is 'resilience' and 'professionalism'. Be ready for them to call your bluff with a skills-test so keep your hand in and your knowledge up to date.

Also, use the search box on the top right of this page to look for threads discussing how to get work. Lots of good advice from people with lots of experience and some great ideas.

Hi, thank you for the tips. I am from Northern Ireland so the search box doesn't really work for me since (nearly) all thread are from England.

I know i have to hear alot of say "No" before I get a "Yes" or a "Maybe" just need to keep asking and keep going...

I have an idea to offer myself for a month (Free) and if they find me useful or are willing to take me on as an apprentice after they see what I have to offer and if we get along... but I dont know if offering yourself out free for a month is a good idea?

Kind regards
Eoin

 

[Ricky]

whats a month in 50years of work, knocking on doors is a good idea, try talking to a friend or family and try out your patter first on them, if you know what you are going to say it will make you more confident

 

[Chuck]

I have an idea to offer myself for a month (Free) and if they find me useful or are willing to take me on as an apprentice after they see what I have to offer and if we get along... but I dont know if offering yourself out free for a month is a good idea?

I'm not up to date with the details but my understanding is that to be a legitimate arrangement, you'd have to be employed on a temporary contract for at least minimum wage. Working 'free' unless it is part of a placement for a college course, tends to cause all sorts of legal and insurance issues.

 

[EoinMcD]

whats a month in 50years of work, knocking on doors is a good idea, try talking to a friend or family and try out your patter first on them, if you know what you are going to say it will make you more confident

Thats what I'm going to do then... offer myself out on a month trial, to see if they will take me on based on the skills I have. I am confident in person but over the phone is different in person I can sell myself... over the phone not so much and its not like I can meet up with a load of plumbers... of interest. I'm going to try my best though... nothing comes easy.

Kind regards
Eoin