I've got an interview with the Steamfitters Union soon. I've been told to show up wearing decent work clothes, and to bring letters of recommendation with me, but what else should I have prepared?
Posted Jan 29, 2017, 7:46 PM UTC
At the end, they will ask you a question. "Do you have any questions for us?" Make sure you come up with a very good reply. A joke, a serious thought, something that will take an extra five minutes to discuss.
VIP program?
... I don't think so...
Veterans in Piping. Its a program for service members that are transitioning out of the military. I only asked because I have my interview next week.
I have asked two different people what the reason they reject people from the union when they are applying. Both answers were exactly the same, the people they reject know nothing about the union. Go to their website and read up on everything, know who Mark McManus is and what their core values are.
As far as dress goes, wearing a suit is obviously overdressing. I do plan on treating this like an interview and not like I am showing up to work, slacks, button up shirt, and blazer.
Thanks! Much appreciated!
Hey, I went through the same interview as you are about to. I got some tips.
First I would relax, it's not a terrible interview. I went in a little tense and the interview was a little old lady who asked some pretty general questions.
Second, I would dress up. There wasn't a dude I saw there that wasn't wearing a dress shirt and pants. It shows you care (in my opinion). I don't think just because it's a union trade job that you should wear a carhartt and jeans. Again this one is largely up to you.
Third, talk up the union when you get a chance. For example I was asked a question along the lines of "If your buddy offers you a job making $30/hour and you're currently a third year apprentice making $22/hour but you have the potential to make $32/hour in a couple years. Do you take the other job?" You bet your ass this is the green light to talk up the union and say all the crap they wanna hear. So do this when you can, just don't make it extremely obvious.
Fourth, it won't be a long interview. Typically they are interviewing 10-20 people in a day so don't stress about that.
Lastly, good luck! Let us know how it goes for you.
Everyone nailed this.
There will be opportunities to use buzzwords like "pride", "family", "history", etc. in your answers.
The union isn't just about working and money. Well it is, but the people in charge want to hear you know more than just that.
Dress casual. Business casual is cool too, like khaki pants and a blue button up. Work clothes are good too as long as they aren't best to shit and look like you just got off a 12 hour shift. I keep one of my Wrangler work shirts clean and almost new in the closet, and a decent pair of jeans that I haven't worn to the job on hand for shit like this.
Is "collective bargaining is the most powerful tool of the worker" a buzzword?
Haha you know it.
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I showed up to mine wearing whatever i had on that day, it's not a formal interview. They ask you a handful of questions then you're out of there because you'll be one of many being interviewed the same day.
Thanks