How to Show Up to a Job Site

I have seen too many missed opportunities to keep quiet. There is a right and wrong way to show up to a job.

Most people would agree with that; I’m sure. But from experience, I can tell you that not many people understand the right way. That’s not entirely their fault. You have an edge if you have family in construction or the trades, my Grandfather remodeled homes and my Father was a union pipefitter. For those who didn’t have family in the trades or a mentor to teach them the do’s and dont’s of manual labor, I’m here for you. Because the reason I have seen so many younger/inexperienced people trying and failing at these gigs is that, right now, labor jobs are a great way to either make a living or have a very healthy side income.

So here is the list of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors I have seen used on a job site. Things that get you work and things that get you sent home.

Preparation:

‘The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses — behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.’ -Muhammed Ali

1. Be fit to fight.

Know how much sleep you can run on. Eat something good that gives you energy, not just coffee. Do some push-ups. You will get work.

2. Get your mind right.

At home or on the way to a job, make sure you are looking at the work ahead as an opportunity. Keep your goals in mind at all times and you will get work.

3. Plan ahead.

Don’t leave it until last minute to round up your tools or plug your destination into google maps. The night before or hours before, make sure you have everything ready to go. You will get work.

4. Do not text the Contractor.

This applies to Foremen or Team Leads of any kind. If you absolutely need to talk to them — call them. But don’t even do that. Until you prove yourself on the job, they don’t want to hear from you. If you bother them in their personal lives you will eventually get sent home.

First Impressions:

5. Dress for the weather.

Always plan for the worst conditions. You want boots that protect your feet. Pants that protect your legs. A shirt that will protect your arms. And gloves. If you wear clean, neutral clothes that you have no problem destroying, you will get work.

6. Just don’t be late.

Leave exactly when you plan to. And plan to be early. If you are late you will probably get sent home. One thing to keep in mind if you do show up late, and you don’t get sent home right away, is to never give any excuses. Apologize with your words and then with your work. This could ensure at least a second day on the job. If you are late the second day… You will get sent home.

7. Don’t stress out about the handshake.

You want to appear like this all comes naturally to you. Shake the hand of the Team Leads and remember their names. You can introduce yourself to everyone else later in a more organic way. If you run around shaking everyone’s hand, staring into their soul, and saying their name three times you will waste time and get sent home.

8. Get right to work.

On the first day, don’t ask more questions than you need to start working. The time between when you show up and when you start working has a time limit. If you go over that time limit you will get sent home.

Lasting Impact:

Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is. -Ernest Hemingway

9. Improvise, adapt, and overcome.

Help others solve their problems. Answer your own questions before asking them. Appear self-sufficient and you will get work. Appear defeated, complain, or whine in any way and you will get sent home.

10. Maintain a sense of urgency.

Always be on your toes. Don’t just work to appear busy, work like you want the job done as much as the Contractor. Stay active and alert — you will get work.

11. Get on the roster.

When the day is over reach out to the contractor. Ask him/her important questions about the following days. And make sure they know you are intent on coming back tomorrow. Get the start time, shake their hand, express your gratitude and you will be back for more work.

Final Thoughts:

The unspoken rules on a job site are countless. Also, they vary from site to site. This is why jobs in construction or the trades never get boring. There is always a new thing to learn or observe. That being said, the list above will absolutely make the difference for a first-timer on the first-day.

Here are some more offhand suggestions:

• Leave your phone in the car your first week. That says a lot to the foremen.
• Bring tools. Even if no one asks you to.
• Bring your own safety gear. Especially breathing masks and safety goggles.
• Have extras of things to loan. You may not get them back but the crew heads will notice things like that.
• Try to work through breaks if you have the stamina. If you don’t have the stamina, build the stamina.
• Use youtube to learn or brush up on skills the night before work. Or preferably, read a book.
• Don’t be the first person to leave at the end of the day. Ask or find last minute things to be done.
• Keep your jobsite clean.
• Learn some jokes. Or just find the humor in things. Comic relief is a surefire way to achieve job security.
• Never have conversations via bluetooth headset while you are working. You will be universally despised.
• Never try to screw anybody. Even if they deserve it.
• ‘The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it’ -Dale Carnegie
• Don’t get high before work. You will see people doing that. If they are young, they will be fired soon. If they are old, it’s becasue they could do this work in their sleep.

Okay. The end. I could keep going but I would never get on with the day.

I hope this helps. And I hope you use it wisely.

Cheers to you.