Breaking into Residential (possibly commercial) Oil Heat Servicing

> Hi. First of all, I'm NOT looking to start my own business, but
> rather work for an established HVAC outfit. I'm in my early 50's and
> found myself having to go through a career change and there are a LOT
> of people in the same boat.

> I do have a pretty strong equipment background, but no long periods
> of experience in oil heat. My first exposure to heating systems was
> back in the early 70's when I used to maintain an industrial boiler
> system for a textile mill. I also took a full time one year course in
> HVAC at a school in Boston, also during the 70's. I learned the
> ropes on residential oil heat from a real expert (now retired and
> moved away) during the 80's and early 90's in my spare time. Most of
> my oil furnace experience has been on and off working as a handyman in
> a neighboring state, doing mostly annual maintenance and the work was
> usually referred by my mentor.

> There are a few large HVAC companies in my area and I sure would like
> a shot at working for one of them. However, my experience is pretty
> spotty as you can tell from what I've written so far. I have a few
> simple instruments (draft guage, smoke tester) specifically for heat,
> some A/C tools. I'm very strong in electrical/electronics and have
> every tool or instrument you can imagine in that area, but I've spent
> a fair amount of time in other technologies also.

> I've already talked to a couple of smaller outfits about working for
> them and they didn't show much interest. My handyman customers were
> always very happy with my work and I have the references to prove it.
> I work well with people, can troubleshoot pretty fast, make repairs
> reasonably fast, and do good quality work. It boils down to someone
> just giving me a chance.

> If anyone has advice or suggestions on how to approach these larger
> companies, I would certainly appreciate it. I realize this is no way
> to get rich. Some of the questions I have is:
> What test gear am I expected to have, and can you recommend any
> suppliers (I would certainly consider used equipment)? How can I best
> downplay lack of experience yet show that I have a background, ability
> and attitude that will get me up to speed fast?
> If you prefer to send email, please feel free: waywarddennis(at
> sign)aol.com

> > Hi. First of all, I'm NOT looking to start my own business, but
> > rather work for an established HVAC outfit. I'm in my early 50's and
> > found myself having to go through a career change and there are a LOT
> > of people in the same boat.

> Do you LOOK early 50's? No one in their 20's wants to send an _old man_
> on nasty clean & checks, 24/7. The only way for them to do that comfortably
> is to make you the villain/asshole of the shop, thereby gaining vindication
> for scheduling .

> > I do have a pretty strong equipment background, but no long periods
> > of experience in oil heat. My first exposure to heating systems was
> > back in the early 70's when I used to maintain an industrial boiler
> > system for a textile mill. I also took a full time one year course in
> > HVAC at a school in Boston, also during the 70's. I learned the
> > ropes on residential oil heat from a real expert (now retired and
> > moved away) during the 80's and early 90's in my spare time. Most of
> > my oil furnace experience has been on and off working as a handyman in
> > a neighboring state, doing mostly annual maintenance and the work was
> > usually referred by my mentor.

> A new hire who can still work in the field over 50 is supposed to be
> the voice of experience, salty dog of the trade, etc., NOT a greenhorn
> in their eyes.

> > There are a few large HVAC companies in my area and I sure would like
> > a shot at working for one of them. However, my experience is pretty
> > spotty as you can tell from what I've written so far. I have a few
> > simple instruments (draft guage, smoke tester) specifically for heat,
> > some A/C tools. I'm very strong in electrical/electronics and have
> > every tool or instrument you can imagine in that area, but I've spent
> > a fair amount of time in other technologies also.

> Not someone an owner can manipulate or intimidate like a young
> inexperienced tech.

> > I've already talked to a couple of smaller outfits about working for
> > them and they didn't show much interest. My handyman customers were
> > always very happy with my work and I have the references to prove it.
> > I work well with people, can troubleshoot pretty fast, make repairs
> > reasonably fast, and do good quality work. It boils down to someone
> > just giving me a chance.

> Ego's populate the small shops quickly. A below average tech
> can easily become the Big-Fish in-a small-pond, and has no intention
> of letting go of that.

> > If anyone has advice or suggestions on how to approach these larger
> > companies, I would certainly appreciate it. I realize this is no way
> > to get rich. Some of the questions I have is:
> > What test gear am I expected to have, and can you recommend any
> > suppliers (I would certainly consider used equipment)? How can I best
> > downplay lack of experience yet show that I have a background, ability
> > and attitude that will get me up to speed fast?
> > If you prefer to send email, please feel free: waywarddennis(at
> > sign)aol.com

> Good and bad news.
> You have none of the top requirements to become an Oil/residential
> service tech, however you have ALL the skills to step right in as a
> salesman.
> You have years of familiarity, just enough field experience, your well
> spoken and display good common sense from your post (take that for what
> it is worth). A large company needs salesmen with just enough
> service knowledge to not be cocky to the techs or rock the boat.
> Over 50 gives a sense of security to the customer that a _grownup_ is
> overseeing the deal. (that's what the owners are really hiring you for).
> Sales commissions in HVAC land can be from excellent
> to _hell no, YOU sell it!_.
> -zero

>> Sales commissions in HVAC land can be from excellent
>> to _hell no, YOU sell it!_.
>> -zero

>Hi Zero. Thanks for the advice and kind words. You're not the first
>person to mention sales and I did work in a marketing department in a
>major corporation putting together product demos. I would also go to
>the trade shows all over the country and chat with potential
>customers. Man, I loved doing that! I really do enjoy working with
>people and the most gratifying work I've done was to teach at a local
>community college in the evenings. Unfortunately, I could only do
>this for a year since I was traveling quite a bit. Now that my career
>has virtually vaporized (did you know that experience is now OUT and
>inexperience is IN?) I would love to teach again but need to go back
>to school for about a year to finish up my degree. (I was on the
>school's adjunct staff and they waived the degree requirements because
>they needed a "practicing consultant" as part of their marketing
>pitch) I'm already putting two kids through college and have dug
>quite a financial hole for myself so going back to school now is out
>of the question.
>Thanks again. You have excellent writing skills and a concerned tone
>to your message. You would probably make a great career counselor and
>I'm serious!
>Best Regards,
>Dennis

> Hi. First of all, I'm NOT looking to start my own business, but
> rather work for an established HVAC outfit. I'm in my early 50's and
> found myself having to go through a career change and there are a LOT
> of people in the same boat.
> I do have a pretty strong equipment background, but no long periods
> of experience in oil heat. My first exposure to heating systems was
> back in the early 70's when I used to maintain an industrial boiler
> system for a textile mill. I also took a full time one year course in
> HVAC at a school in Boston, also during the 70's. I learned the
> ropes on residential oil heat from a real expert (now retired and
> moved away) during the 80's and early 90's in my spare time. Most of
> my oil furnace experience has been on and off working as a handyman in
> a neighboring state, doing mostly annual maintenance and the work was
> usually referred by my mentor.
> There are a few large HVAC companies in my area and I sure would like
> a shot at working for one of them. However, my experience is pretty
> spotty as you can tell from what I've written so far. I have a few
> simple instruments (draft guage, smoke tester) specifically for heat,
> some A/C tools. I'm very strong in electrical/electronics and have
> every tool or instrument you can imagine in that area, but I've spent
> a fair amount of time in other technologies also.
> I've already talked to a couple of smaller outfits about working for
> them and they didn't show much interest. My handyman customers were
> always very happy with my work and I have the references to prove it.
> I work well with people, can troubleshoot pretty fast, make repairs
> reasonably fast, and do good quality work. It boils down to someone
> just giving me a chance.
> If anyone has advice or suggestions on how to approach these larger
> companies, I would certainly appreciate it. I realize this is no way
> to get rich. Some of the questions I have is:
> What test gear am I expected to have, and can you recommend any
> suppliers (I would certainly consider used equipment)? How can I best
> downplay lack of experience yet show that I have a background, ability
> and attitude that will get me up to speed fast?
> If you prefer to send email, please feel free: waywarddennis(at
> sign)aol.com
> Any advice you can offer will be gratefully appreciated. BTW, are
> there any really active discussion forums on HVAC or heating
> specifically? I would like to find other non-usenet groups.
> Best Regards,
> Dennis
>