Carpenters Should Read This Before They Interview For Their Next Job

career opportunities for carpenters

If you’re a carpenter looking for a better job and career opportunity you might want to consider a lot more than just compensation before you decide which remodeling or construction business you will work for. Sure, what you get paid is important. However, considering how much money you will make over the course of your entire career might make far more sense than only considering how much you will get paid next week.

At the Providence RI JLC Live Show coming up in March I will be presenting a seminar titled “A Call to Action and an Opportunity for Carpenters and Business Owners” on Saturday morning March 23^rd from 7-8:30 AM. At the seminar I will be sharing some strategies carpenters can use to help them if they would like to improve their careers and compensation. This same information can be used by business owners if they want to attract and keep quality carpenters for their production teams.

how to make more money as a carpenter Below is a list of some of the considerations an aspiring carpenter might want to use when searching and interviewing for a new job and career opportunity. As part of my presentation I’ll be reviewing and discussing this list at the seminar. My hope is that by discussing these considerations attendees can determine whether they are working at the right company already, whether they should consider looking for a new company to work for, and how to evaluate the businesses they interview with.

Topics to be discussed at the JLC LIVE Seminar

The Company You Keep: Financial Considerations

Does the business have a financial budget for the year?
Can and does the business run budget to actual reports to track progress?
Does the business have a formal estimating system and method?
Does the business share the estimate with field staff?
Does the business do job costing on a consistent basis?
Does the business share job costing info with field staff?

The Company You Keep: Company Structure Considerations

Does the business have an organizational chart you can look at?
Do they have a growth plan and organizational charts to show future staffing needs?
Do they have and will they share written job descriptions?
Do they use a production manager driven or lead carpenter driven production system?
Does the business have a place of business?
Does the business operate legally?

The Company You Keep: Opportunity for Advancement

Does the business plan to advance employees as it grows or hire to fill future positions?
Has the business defined career paths for employees, in writing?
Do job descriptions include educational requirements and or expectations?
Does the business have an adequate budget for employee education?
Does the business have a formal and scheduled review process?
Does the business have an objective method for establishing compensation rates?

The Company You Keep: Current Leadership

What are the goals of the owner; Practice vs. growing business?
Is the owner a craftsman or business person?
Is middle management already in place?
Is the owner or manager “present” at the job interview?
Does the owner share financial information with employees?
Does the owner conduct him/herself in a professional manner?

Thinking about attending this JLC LIVE seminar with Shawn?

Below is the summary slide from my presentation. In case you’re considering joining me that morning, the slide should help give you an understanding of what I’ll be discussing at the seminar.

Career options for carpenters