Repair Technician Jobs Overview
Are you good at figuring out how things work? If you’re patient and you enjoy solving problems, a career as a repair technician is for you.
As a repair technician, you are a valuable addition to many types of businesses, and there are several paths you may take. These roles are often available at HVAC or IT companies, as well as manufacturing and automotive companies. Or you could work for retail companies and provide services to in-store clients or travel to their homes to provide services.
Work hours for repair technician jobs vary. For example, a repair technician who works for an appliance company may work during regular business hours. However, in a large manufacturing facility, you may work morning, evening, or even overnight hours.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts average growth for repair technician jobs. However, job growth may be higher for certain positions that require more training and advancement.
Repair Technician Salary
The median repair technician wage is $21.37 per hour. However, the pay range is generally between $16.57 and $31.02 per hour. Use our Monster salary tool to find out how much repair technicians earn in your area.
These are the country's top cities and average hourly wages for repair technician jobs:
Most repair technicians work in the following sectors:
- real estate
- accommodation and food services
- manufacturing
- government
- educational services
How to Find Repair Technician Jobs That Suit You
Do you have certain needs related to scheduling or location? For example, some people who have young children need to work during the day while their kids are in school. Make a list of your unique needs. Doing this helps you find listings for repair technician jobs that are right for your lifestyle.
Also, consider what you may need in the future. Do you want to move to a supervisory position? Do you want to take classes to specialize in a certain type of repair? Some employers may offer tuition assistance or special training.
What are your strengths? How about your weaknesses? Spend some time thinking about them too so you can identify the responsibilities to look out for. If you need some ideas, consider these examples of several strengths and weaknesses.
Read About the Employer
Some companies have information about the type of workplace they foster. Try to get a feel for the culture.
Read about the company’s values and mission. See if there's information about the workplace structure. For example, is there a clear management style? Workforce size and incentives are two other important factors to consider.
If you can’t find much information on the company’s website, you may find online reviews from other workers or previous employees. Try to see if the workplace fits with your values and goals.
Pick Out Your Skills and Qualifications
Read through the job listing to match your qualifications with the listing’s requirements. For example, imagine that you have experience repairing medical equipment.
A job listing for a medical equipment repair technician may require experience with oxygen concentrators and CPAPs, and working with small parts. Some jobs may require special training, a certain certification, or a high school diploma.
Look at the sections for necessary skills and qualifications and consider if you’re interested in the job duties as well.
Determine Growth Potential
What are your growth goals? To help you achieve them, you may want additional certifications, such as the Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician credential.
Some repair technicians gain additional training in a specific sector or industry. For instance, if you're interested in automotive applications, an auto repair technician job may be right for you. Perhaps you’re interested in electronics and you want to repair computers or mobile devices.
Consider whether a potential employer will pay for training or certification. Does the workplace offer on-the-job training? Can you see yourself building a long-term career there? If you want to advance, these are some important considerations.
How to Apply for Repair Technician Jobs
By the time you’re ready to apply, you’ll know which of your skills and qualifications match the job listing. See if there are any other special requirements. Some employers may want to see proof of a certification, for example. There may be special instructions to follow for the application process.
Create a Strong Repair Technician Resume
Write down the skills and qualifications that match yours. Then, use the same words from the job posting in your resume. Using relevant resume keywords can increase your chance of getting a call from an employer.
For example, cellphone repair technician jobs may require these skills, which you can reflect in your application:
- knowledge of hazardous material disposal
- troubleshooting abilities
- inspection and testing experience
- customer service skills
This handyman resume example shows how to include important terms in action-based sentences. Notice that the resume details previous experience by crafting sentences about specific outcomes.
Since many companies use software to filter and screen resumes, choose to optimize yours with professional help. You can use Monster's Professional Resume Writing Services to receive a resume that's thorough and polished.
Write a Meaningful Cover Letter
Instead of submitting the same standardized letter with every application, customize each letter to include relevant details. Including a customized cover letter shows you care about the position enough to put in extra effort.
Also, check the job listing for hints about potential problems. For example, a listing may say that a company has a strict attendance policy and on-call requirements. If you have a strong record of dependability, convey it using a specific rate.
Your cover letter should stay within a one-page limit. Summarize what makes you a good fit. Use your creative writing abilities to portray your qualifications or other details as a snapshot of who you are.
Do you write better with inspiration? If so, this sample cover letter is a great example of how to use action words to demonstrate solutions and accomplishments.
Send in Your Application
Whenever you fill out an application, check it over before you submit it. Do you want to start submitting online applications for repair technician jobs? Make the process simpler by creating a free Monster account. You’ll receive customized job recommendations, and you can ask for a free resume review.
How to Follow Up After You Apply
Some employers call back quickly. However, you may need to reach out to others.
It’s good to wait about a week before you call or email the company. This gives the hiring manager enough time to collect and review other applications.
Best Practices for Following Up
First, look at the job listing to decide when and how to contact the company. For most repair technician jobs, regular business hours are ideal. However, some job listings may have other specific instructions.
Write a follow-up message draft. If you make a phone call, create an outline of what you’ll say.
Although you shouldn’t repeat your resume or cover letter, you can communicate how you solve problems or a special qualification you possess. Keep your follow-up message or call outline brief.
Determine Who to Contact
Scan the job listing to see if there’s a contact person. Try to find the individual’s title.
The person may be an HR manager or a department manager. In smaller companies, it may be a shift manager or store owner.
If you can’t find the contact person, try to find the information on the company’s website. If you’re unable to find it there, you can call the company to ask who makes hiring decisions.
How to Interview for Repair Technician Jobs
When an employer calls you to schedule an interview, you can pat yourself on the back for all your efforts. However, there are a few more important preparatory steps that put you in a better position to get the job.
Study the Employer
Although you read about the workplace before you applied, it helps to refresh this after you schedule an interview. Learn about the workplace culture and company values.
Do some research on the position. Are there reviews from past employees online? You may learn some important details about it, and reading about the position may also help you identify some questions to ask the employer.
Sharpen Your Interviewing Skills
When you apply for repair technician jobs, you’ll likely encounter competency-based and behavioral questions. Competency-based questions usually test your knowledge about relevant procedures or skills. For example, an interviewer at an electronics repair company may ask you to describe how you’d troubleshoot a tablet with a screen that doesn’t work.
Interviewers ask behavioral questions to see how you solve problems that may have more than one right approach. For instance, an interviewer may ask you to explain how you prioritize repair requests. You may answer with an example from a previous job or a hypothetical one.
If you provide an answer about a problem from a previous job, you can use the STAR method. To do this, briefly describe the situation and the task. Then, describe what you did and the outcome.
Be Prepared for Different Interview Formats
Interviews may be on-site or online. If the interview takes place online, be sure your computer or mobile device is compatible. Also, test your microphone and camera beforehand.
Some companies require two or three rounds of interviews. Others conduct just one interview. There may be one person or a team of people interviewing you. They may be HR representatives, company owners, or others.
Remember, the more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll be on the day. It’s also important to use positive language in your answers and be aware of your body language.
How to Follow Up After an Interview
Whether you follow up by phone or email, thank the interviewer immediately after the interview. You can simply express your appreciation for the individual’s time and consideration.
You may also want to follow up to show your continued interest about a week later. If the interviewer expressed a preferred contact method, use that to guide your follow-up attempt.
Leave a brief message if there's no answer when you call. If you send an email, limit it to about one or two short paragraphs.
What to Do When You Receive a Job Offer
First, thank the hiring manager for the job offer. But, should you immediately accept?
If you have any hesitation, it’s acceptable to ask for time to consider the offer. However, you must specify how much time you need.
Examine the benefits and pay and review the duties and schedule. Will your work hours let you keep important commitments?
Is the pay fair for your experience and region? Are the benefits satisfactory?
If something in the offer isn’t agreeable, politely negotiate with the hiring manager. Many companies are willing to accommodate reasonable requests for a schedule change or something else that’s important and reasonable to you.
Some employers may not negotiate pay. If that happens, there are plenty of other things you can negotiate with them.
Repair Technician Career Paths
Repair technicians may stay in their field or move to a different one. There are several career paths they can take with different types of training.
For instance, some people become computer repair technicians and fix personal computers.
Others become appliance technicians who install and repair appliances. Some may become HVAC technicians who install and repair HVAC systems.
Repair technicians with mechanical skills may learn to repair vehicles. There are several specialty options within this. For instance, auto body technicians fix body damage to vehicles. However, general automotive technicians and mechanics repair systems or components of vehicles.
There are also heavy equipment technicians. They fix hydraulic systems and various components of heavy equipment.
Some repair technicians with technology skills become network technicians. Others become IT technicians.
Although job growth predictions may vary in different fields, technology is always growing. Repair technicians who stay familiar with the changing trends may position themselves for more opportunities.
Similar Occupations
If you're considering a different career path, these are some positions that are similar to repair technician jobs: