As the name suggests, you must have working knowledge of ventilation systems, heating systems, and air conditioning to be able to perform what needs to be done. Focusing on one of these systems could be easy, but you have to know all of them and not just one, so that creates some difficulty. If you don't know how to fix even just one of these systems, then how could you call yourself an HVAC technician? Here are some ideas about how not to do well in HVAC tech opportunities:
- First of all, to qualify for HVAC technician jobs you will need to have undergone some form of training on how to install, maintain and repair HVAC systems. Scholastically, companies prefer that you have at least a high school diploma or equivalent and should be able to read and write the language of the country you will be working in. You will not be able to perform any of the work if you have not had any training, formal or vocational so this is why companies prefer applicants who have certification. Also, if you don't have training and certification, although you might know how to do the job, with all other things being equal, certification helps employers identify what you are capable of and makes you more qualified for promotion to supervisory positions as opposed to somebody who just learned everything from experience.
- After passing a course or having certification as an HVAC technician, do not think that you already know everything there is to know about the industry. Everyday something new is discovered so you have to keep up to date with new methods of doing your job, new technologies, new tools and even new laws that could possibly affect HVAC technician jobs. If you are not up to date, then you might not be using the latest tools that could make your work much faster or more durable, you might not be aware of new regulations regarding air-conditioning, heating and ventilation systems.
- Recognize the difference between HVAC technician and HVAC engineering jobs. As an HVAC technician, you are expected to be able to install, maintain and repair HVAC systems, while an HVAC engineer's job, although they should know how to perform the job of an HVAC tech, is to design and build HVAC systems. So if you are an HVAC technician you don't have to worry about the more complex task of designing and building, although if you want, you could take up courses in HVAC engineering and be licensed to design and build HVAC systems.
- You cannot perform any of the work that is required in HVAC technician jobs if you do not understand how HVAC systems work. This means that you need to have some knowledge in the subject of design and manufacture of HVAC systems. Although, it is not part of your job to design and build HVAC systems, you still need to know how it is done to be able to fix these systems.
- Last but not least important to be successful in HVAC technician jobs, is that if you do not have the strong desire to excel in your job, then it will show in the quality of your work. So if you don't want to do well in HVAC then be satisfied with just mediocre work. If you don't want to be successful then don't go the extra mile for your clients, like cleaning up after you do any kind of service. Sometimes customers give tips for just cleaning up the area where you had been working.
