I've been in the electrical business for more than 30 years. As a business owner, there are certain things I pay attention to — from running a service call to the employment applications we receive. With all the social media platforms and computer technology available to us today, we’ve created a culture of immediate gratification. Sometimes this “must-have-right-now” attitude makes us lose sight of many things. Attention to detail and professionalism are two things I see slipping away.
The quote, “Shined shoes save lives,” by General Norman Schwarzkopf is a great example of professionalism. What Schwarzkopf means is that a well-disciplined soldier who follows rules, instructions, and pays attention to detail will have a higher chance of surviving another soldier on the battlefield — and that his comrades can trust this soldier with their own lives. If the soldier is sloppy, casual, undisciplined, and doesn’t focus on details, he or she can be a danger to himself/herself and others.
This same line of thinking can be applied to employees in the electrical business. When I think of the word “professional,” key images that come to mind include: dress, speech, writing, grammar, punctuality, and work performance. We should not be lured by poor standards like wearing pajamas when shopping and using profanity in everyday speech. While this may be the current trend, what does this say about your professionalism? More than likely, if you succumb to habits like this in your time away from work, then they could begin to creep into your work life.
If you are an employee in the electrical service and repair business, here are a few tips to help you maintain your professionalism:
Employment applications
These forms should be filled out completely and correctly. Use proper grammar and spelling. If you don’t fill out the application properly, your potential employer has no reason to believe you’ll complete company paperwork properly. Do you have a resumé? Do you use your own email address, or are you using someone else’s email, such as your significant other’s? If you send a prospective company an email, make sure it’s appropriate. Also make sure all the information you include is correct, including your phone number, address, email, etc. Attention to detail is a key factor for gaining employment, and something the best employers expect.
Dress and personal hygiene
If you’re going to a meeting or job interview, then dress to impress. Not sure what to wear? Always dress up, not down. Being the best dressed in a room is never a bad thing. This also applies to the electrical field, such as field technicians. Wear a clean uniform for your customers as well as make sure you have neatly shaven hair, good breath, clean shoes, and so forth.
Data entry and paperwork
Filling out paperwork or forms on a computer should be considered one in the same. Writing down a wrong model or serial number can be costly, so make sure everything is accurate. Verify the customer’s information, and correct it if you see something incorrect. Confirm you are using the correct part if you are replacing a part in the field. Troubleshooting requires high attention to detail. Make sure every possible cause and existing condition is thought of and written down when troubleshooting.
I believe it’s time for the electrical industry to step up and be more professional. I’ve interviewed hundreds of applicants for my own business, and, unfortunately, I find very few who are professional these days. While none of us is perfect, I think we can clean up our industry a bit.
Bring professionalism into all the things you do, whether it be in the electrical field or in everyday life. You’ll feel better about yourself and make others who depend on you feel better as well.
Wise holds an A.S degree in Electrical Engineering and is licensed in N.C., S.C., and Va. In addition to being a college electrical instructor, N.C.-licensed real estate broker and former NASCAR race car driver, Wise owns and operates Mister Sparky in Charlotte and Cherryville, N.C. He can be reached at [email protected].
