Good Day, all.

I'm sure this board has seen its fair share of posts like the one I'm making now, but please bear with me, and maybe give it a go one more time!

I'm interested in getting into the trade, and have done a fair amount of research... Just got done reading about 30 pages of a topic on this board, as well.. but did have a few questions, still.

My plan is to apply to every recruitment opportunity I can, within driving distance, here in the Southeast, and go from there. I'm not too worried about the aptitude test (I recently passed one for the IBEW) but the interview process is giving me a bit of stress.

My primary questions is this:

I would be coming into this trade from a white-collar background. Work as a newspaper reporter and communications professional. I'm fairly familiar with tools -- from working on my own truck, assisting my father (a carpenter), and various other random bits of experience (working maintenance, and other retail/delivery jobs during summers), but for the most part, will have nothing relating directly to professional mechanical/electrical experience to discuss with interviewers.

That said... Am I wasting my time? How improbable might it be for a not-so-young guy (28), with no official mechanical experience, to earn a decent ranking following an interview? Is there anything I could or should be doing to better my chances?

Thank you all, in advance!

Don't worry about your age or what you did as an occupation. I'm 39 and have worked in healthcare for 10+ years. You mentioned IBEW; the IBEW has a 6.5 year apprenticeship and the pay isn’t as good.

Thanks, Hog.

Was the lack of experience not an issue in getting an apprenticeship for you?

And yes. I'm certainly aiming for the Elevator industry. The IBEW apprenticeship, assuming that THAT interview goes well, is just to serve as a backup were my elevator interviews to not go as well I need.

The lack of experience didn't matter as I'm waiting on a phone call and I'm close to getting it. I had other experience (military) that helped.

Ah. Therein lies more reason for my worry. No military experience. I've heard vets get preference, too.

So, between the lack of experience AND no military background, I'm anxious. But, we will see, I suppose!

There really is no reason to worry. As long as you represent yourself well, and explain your want to be in the industry you will be alright. Veterans get preference everywhere. And lack of experience doesn't matter because no one has experience. Yes, some guys know motors, some guys know physics, some guys know hydraulics, but none know elevators. And some guys are stubborn with what they already know and refuse to change, and that is not desirable.

Just to clarify, I have interviewed four times and failed it twice. I think my dogged pursuit of the industry helped me out more that my veteran status.

Thanks, man.

Really appreciate all of the info. And yeah. I plan to try about four times here in the next couple of months. Luckily, several cities within driving distance are recruiting.