As an on-call service technician, you have numerous opportunities, such as working in dynamic environments and working extra shifts to earn more money.
If you’re a goal-oriented technician, you want to capitalize on these opportunities to build your experience and get the most out of your work.
Today, we’ve put together five tips for the new on-call tech that’ll help you:
So, whether you’ve been on the job for some time or just starting, these tips will help you become a better on-call service technician by leaps and bounds.
You never know when you might get a call that requires you to run out of your house or office, and it's important to be ready. You’ll want to be sure you have all the materials you need before heading to a job.
You must ensure all your tools are in order.
Your toolbox should always be stocked with everything you need, including wrenches of all sizes, pliers, screwdrivers, a hammer, a tape measure (or two), levels, a flashlight … the list goes on.
If you have any questions about what you should include in your toolbox, just ask us. We can help steer you in the right direction for a specific job.
Furthermore, any safety gear you might need—such as gloves or goggles—should be in good shape and ready for use.
Finally, make sure that all of your paperwork is up-to-date and organized so that it's easy for you to reference when necessary.
Pro Tip: Create a checklist of what you need so you can take a preliminary look before heading out.
As an on-call service technician, you're always on the clock. You could be called at any hour of the day, but that doesn't mean you'll be working all day. To be effective as an on-call service technician, you must prioritize time management.
Time management is essential in every profession, but it's especially important for service technicians who constantly respond to emergencies or requests, even during non-business hours.
Here are some time management best practices for an on-call tech:
Communicate in good time: Always communicate promptly with your employer, clients, and other stakeholders.
Poor communication can drag a job out or even result in doing work that isn't needed or wanted. Ultimately, this leads to wasted time.
In general, you must learn to always manage your time effectively. Be sure to split your time between different tasks accordingly, and you’ll become more organized.
If you're an on-call technician, you know that paperwork can take up a lot of time. From invoices to receipts to estimates, it’s not easy to keep up with all the paper that comes your way.
Luckily, there are some ways to cut down on paperwork by automating tasks and boosting your productivity and efficiency.
For example, scheduling software can be used to categorize jobs, send your location to dispatchers for easy tracking, and add notes to your scheduled appointments—all on your mobile device.
Remember, less time spent on tedious paperwork means more time spent doing what you love—and that means more money in your pocket!
Plus, with automated solutions, you’ll have backups of everything on the web or cloud, making it easier to access information from anywhere, on any device.
It’s worth it to automate tasks as much as you can.
The need to practice safety and self-care can't be stressed enough. As an on-call service technician, you never know when a call might come in, how long it will take to complete the job, or how far the location will be from your home or last job site.
Consequently, it's not unusual for an on-call technician to work long hours without breaks or proper rest.
This often leads to fatigue, making it difficult to focus which can in turn lead to mistakes, injuries, or property damage. Plus, it's also difficult to perform at your best when you're exhausted.
Work-related injuries are a serious concern. In 2021, workplace injury cases increased by 6.3% to 2.2 million cases, up from 2.1 million cases in 2020. With these numbers, it only makes sense to prioritize personal safety and care.
So while you might not be able to control everything about your job, there are things you can do to not only keep safe, but also avoid burnout and maintain a good work-life balance. Here are some considerations:
When you're an on-call service technician, it's easy to get caught up in the daily grind of your job. But if you want to stay safe, healthy, and happy, then be sure to practice safety and self-care overall.
As a service technician, communicating appropriately with customers is crucial to your job. You must learn to engage with your customers directly, so they feel comfortable working with you.
The more you know your clients, the better equipped you'll be to understand their needs and concerns, helping create trust and earn more business. When they feel heard, they'll remember it—and come back for more!
For this reason, be sure to:
When meeting a customer for the first time, be sure to introduce yourself enthusiastically and offer your help.
Once they've explained their problem, do your best to walk them through what's going on so that they feel comfortable trusting you with repairs or services.
Letting customers know that you're confident in your abilities will reassure them that you’re capable of handling their problems. Such trust is also more likely to result in repeat customers.
The best thing a business can do for on-call technicians is to offer them support—especially when they're just starting out.
Below is a table of some of the things that employers can do and how they're helpful for new on-call techs, like yourself.
You have a lot to learn when you're a new on-call service technician. Consequently, your employer needs to provide you with the necessary resources and support to succeed.
As an on-call technician, you're always ready to help when someone needs your expertise. But what happens when you need help?
Industrial Stores has what you need to make sure that any call you get is a success. We have a variety of tools, including hand tools, facility equipment, and everything in between. We also offer a wide selection of safety supplies and PPE so you can stay safe while you work.
We know that being an on-call technician isn't easy work, so we’ve made it our mission to offer the tools and supplies you need at the best prices possible as fast as we can.
“I just wanted to thank you for your extremely quick shipping … Unheard of without paying for overnight shipping!! I will be a customer from now on. Thanks again for making me look good :-)”
If you're looking for some good-quality equipment and industrial supplies at affordable prices, check out Industrial Stores—you'll find everything from plumbing supplies and HVAC equipment to electrical tools and more.
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