Electrician jobs: Overview
An electrician installs, repairs, and maintains electrical systems in residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. Electricians usually work full-time. They are also typically on call for emergencies. Their work schedule varies depending on the company and their projects. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, electrician jobs are projected to grow 7% the next decade.
Electricians work in homes, commercial buildings, factories, and construction sites. They quite frequently work in different locations and travel to various job sites. They may work indoors or outdoors, depending on the installation or repair work.
Some of the electrician jobs available include:
- Master Electrician: Supervises and oversee electrical projects
- Electrical Estimator: Assesses project requirements, estimates costs, and prepares bids for electrical installations
- Electrical Inspector: Conducts inspections to ensure electrical installations comply with local and national electrical codes
- Aircraft Electrician: Repairs, installs, and maintains electrical wiring in aircrafts
- Electrical Designer Engineer: Designs and develops electrical equipment
- Substation Electrician: Installs, repairs, and maintains electrical equipment in high voltage electric substations
- Electrical Drafter: Creates blueprints and diagrams of electrical systems for commercial and residential buildings
- Marine Electrician: Installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems on ships
- Electrical Engineering Technician: Assists electrical engineers in designing various electrical systems
- Electrical Boat Technician: Installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems on boats
Salary for Electrician Jobs
The median base salary for electricians is $26.09 an hour. Salaries on the high end are $34.08 an hour, and the low end it is $20.58 an hour. How much you will earn depends on your experience, qualifications, and job title.
Your salary as an electrician also depends on the city that you're in as some cities pay higher than others. Denver, CO, for example, pays $29.98 per hour while Jacksonville, FL, pays $22.16 an hour. Curious how much you could earn as an electrician in your city? Check out our handy Salary Tool.
Finding Electrician Jobs
When you're searching for your next job in the electrical field, be honest about your strengths, your weaknesses, and your ultimate goals. Think about the areas you excel in. You may be good at rewiring electrical systems but weaker when it comes to installing electrical conduits, for example. Write down areas that need improvement.
Try to set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals). By knowing where you stand right now, what you want within the electrical field, and where you hope to be, you can zero in on an electrician job that is ideal for your needs.
Think about what your priorities are, too. Write down your salary needs and the type of work that you find fulfilling. Is it inspecting electrical buildings to see if they're up to code, installing systems, repairing systems, or maintaining them?
Reviewing Electrician Job Openings
When reviewing job descriptions, carefully read the entire description. Look at your qualifications and see how closely they measure up to the job description. If there are areas where you think you may need additional training, consider being an apprentice to a master electrician to strengthen your weak areas.
Research the Company's Culture
Besides visiting the company's website, see if there is a blog where the company shares achievements and updates about their electricians. You can get a good feel of the work culture through blogs and newsletters. You should also hop onto social media to see what the company posts. Social media usually offers a behind-the-look glimpse into a company.
If there are ratings on the company, read what present and past employees have to say about the work culture there. There may be reviews about the management style and the work environment. Do the electricians follow local codes? These kinds of details can help significantly.
Look for Opportunities for Growth
The most important thing to consider when determining if electrician jobs are right for you is to see how they fit into your long-term goals. Review the job description again to see if there is a potential to grow.
When visiting the company's website, see if the company offers training programs or promotes from within. There may be courses on deciphering construction blueprints and technical diagrams, for instance. Finally, during the interview, ask about any growth opportunities, such as more electrical responsibilities or skill expansion.
How to Apply
Here are some tips to help you effectively prepare for the application process:
- Skills and Qualifications: Identify what kind of skills and qualifications you need. Look at the years of experience needed as well as any licenses required. Some jobs will require that you have an electrical license while others may require that you pass an electrical exam.
- Research the company: Before you send off your application, research the company. Make sure you understand exactly what electrical services the company offers.
- Follow specific instructions: Many companies provide specific instructions regarding how they want applications submitted. If they require specific documents - such as proof of your electrical license - gather all the documents you need and upload them to the required platform.
Create an Effective Resume
Creating a strong electrician's resume gives you a good chance of getting an interview. View our sample resume for a journeyman electrician and use it as a template. Here are some tips you should follow:
- Use resume keywords: Many employers now use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Essentially, they go through your resume to see if you have the required keywords in there. To find what keywords they are looking for, return to the job description. You may see keywords such as "install electrical systems", "repair electrical systems," and "maintain electrical systems." Copy and paste them into your resume under the skills and experience sections and use them in a similar - if not exact - format as the job description.
- Customize your resume: Tailor each resume for each job application. Use the right keywords for the job description and emphasize the electrical skills and experiences that match the company's requirements.
- Provide references and samples of your work: If you have references from any previous electrical work you have done, make sure to include them.
- Showcase your achievements: Rather than listing all the duties you had, list the quantifiable electrical achievements for every duty. If you fixed electrical wiring in a building and prevented an electrical fire, mention that.
The above details the specifics you should include on your resume. However, there are also some common resume mistakes you should avoid.
- Typos or grammatical errors
- Work history and duties that are too general
- Highlighting duties instead of what you accomplished
- A resume with no action verbs
- Incorrect contact information
Need a little extra help with your resume? Check out Monster's professional resume writing services. We will help you stand out from the crowd.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter
Some job applications may require a cover letter. If it's optional, it's a good idea to include one. Here are some ways you can create a compelling cover letter.
- Personalize your cover letter: Tailor your cover letter to the company and position. If the company's focus is on industrial buildings, for example, emphasize your electrical experience in industrial settings.
- Showcase your qualifications and experiences: After a strong introduction, use the core of the cover letter to highlight your electrical qualifications and skills. Emphasize why you are sure you meet their needs. Provide examples of your electrical accomplishments.
- Show enthusiasm and passion: Show your enthusiasm and genuine interest in the electrician job. Use action verbs and positive language.
- Close with a strong conclusion: End your letter by expressing your interest in further discussions or an interview.
Submit Your Application
Ready to apply? Before you send off your application, double-check it to ensure it is error-free. Make sure your contact information is present and correct. Then, sign up with Monster and upload your resume. After creating an account, you can start submitting applications to any electrician job you wish to apply for.
Following up With an Employer
Once you have submitted your application for the electrician job, you can take a breather and wait. Give the company time to review the applications. When enough time has passed - usually two weeks - consider following up with an email.
If you have a contact person or hiring manager's email, send a personalized email. Express your interest in the electrician role and mention when you submitted your application. Politely ask about the status of the hiring process and the company's timeline. You can also briefly reiterate your interest and why you believe you're qualified. It's important to keep your email focused, concise, and professional.
If you can't find a contact person, feel free to contact the electrical company and find out if it's possible to get the hiring manager's email. Or ask for their phone number and speak to them directly.
Interviewing Tips for Electricians
If an electrical company contacted you for an interview, congratulate yourself. You made it this far. The next step is to nail the interview. Here are some important interviewing tips.
- Understand the job requirements: Go over the electrician job description again and see what the company highlights. Prepare to answer questions regarding any electrical rewiring you've done, any electrical installations, and so on.
- Practice interview questions: You may want to look up some interview questions and practice giving thoughtful and detailed answers about your past electrical work.
- Arrive early and be punctual: Show up 10-15 minutes earlier than your scheduled time. Bring two extra copies of your electrician resume as well as any relevant documents. You should also have a pen and notepad to take down notes during the interview.
- Use the STAR method: Study the STAR method technique of answering behavioral questions in the electrical field. Describe the:
- Situation
- Task you were assigned
- Action you took
- Results you achieved
The Interview Process
The interview process for an electrician may be simple or complicated. There may be an initial interview, followed by more interviews with different managers. The interviews may differ, too. There could be phone interviews, in-person interviews, panel interviews, or video interviews. You may have to demonstrate your electrical expertise in a video interview.
You should also prepare yourself for the different formats:
- Behavioral interviews will determine if you are a good fit for the work culture and the team.
- Competency-based interviews will determine how skilled you are as an electrician and if you are familiar with the national and local codes.
Follow Up
Once you have finished the interview and given it your all, compose a thank-you email. You should send a thank-you email the next morning, just to let the company know how grateful you were for the interview.
If you have not heard back after two weeks, send a follow-up email or make a follow-up phone call. Thank the company again for the interview and emphasize that you are still interested in the electrician job. Be polite, concise, and professional.
After You Get an Offer
Once you get an electrician job offer, you should take specific steps before saying yes.
- Ask for time to consider: Start by saying thank you, and then ask for time to carefully review the offer.
- Review the compensation package carefully: Take a look at the salary, benefits, vacation time, retirement plans, and the company's health insurance.
- Ask specific questions: After reviewing the offer, ask specific questions, such as the company's expectations, growth opportunities for electricians, and more.
- Negotiate your salary if necessary: If you feel the initial salary offer is below the median electrician salary for your city, consider negotiating.
- Respond to the offer: If you like the offer, accept it and sign any necessary paperwork. If you plan on declining the offer, do so professionally and politely.
Career Paths for Electricians
A career as an electrician opens up various avenues for advancement. It's not always easy to decide which career path to follow within the electrician field. You can start by finding out what your interests are as well as your strengths. You should also research different career paths and find out what excites you the most.
Decide what your long-term goals are and start to forge a path in that direction. This could mean additional education or more certificates, such as the OSHA Safety Certificate or an Electrical and Instrumentation Pipeline Technician certificate.
Professional Development and Networking Opportunities
It's crucial to grow, expand your knowledge, and network within the electrician field. Subscribe to electrician magazines or newsletters and join professional organizations, such as the Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee.
If you can, attend workshops and conferences. Learn from industry experts, network, and discover learning opportunities. Another way to network is to stay active in online communities. This can be a great way to share and gather knowledge about the electrical industry.
You can also gain more certificates and consider a master's or even a doctorate within the electrical field. Your goal should always be to expand your knowledge and grow.
The Future of the Industry for Electricians
Several technological advances will affect the electrician industry and electrician jobs. These include:
- Renewable energy: As the world shifts to solar panels and wind power, there will be opportunities for electricians to install and maintain these renewable energy systems.
- Energy efficiency: The increasing demand for energy-efficient buildings and systems will result in a higher demand for electricians familiar with installing and maintaining energy-efficient homes and businesses.
- Smart technology: Electricians will need to adapt to Smart technology as it becomes the norm. As more devices are controlled by phones and apps, electricians will have to integrate this knowledge into their list of skills.
- Electric vehicles (EVs): As electric vehicles start to dominate cities, there will be a greater demand for installing EV charging stations in homes and businesses.
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