Everyone in the UK requires electricity, whether at home or at work, and will need to hire an electrical technician at least once in their life. This means that your services will always be in demand.

There are numerous advantages to becoming an expert in this trade, from well-paid work opportunities, to the chance to work on a variety of unique projects.

To pursue work in this sector, you have to be a certain type of person, both hardworking and practical, but what else makes an electrical technician successful?

In this article we will be looking at the skills and qualities you need to excel in your career, and will cover our top tips for becoming a successful electrical technician.

Essential Skills & Qualities of a Test Engineer

In order to succeed as a test engineer, you’ll need to have a whole host of skills under your belt – it’s a complex and intricate role that requires very specific skills and competencies.

Here are some of the main skills and qualities employers often look for when hiring a new test engineer:

Functional Testing – Test engineers must be able to run and manage fault tests in order to assess whether the product meets stringent requirements. Having strong analytical skills and excellent attention to detail helps here.

Troubleshooting – With the development of a new product or system, hiccups and problems are inevitably going to occur, so engineers must be able to accurately diagnose the problem and come up with an effective solution.

Strive for Improvement –  The engineers who excel in this industry are the ones who take the initiative and actively seek opportunities to make processes more effective. You need to be able to learn from what hasn’t worked so well and welcome the idea of changing how you work in order to become more efficient.

Ability to Work in a Team – It doesn’t matter what level you work at, you’ll need to be collaborating and liaising with colleagues to make sure everything runs seamlessly. You need to build and establish trustworthy relationships with various departments, and constantly be communicating so that everyone involved in the project is always kept up to date with the latest information.

Meet Deadlines – Test engineers usually have deadlines to meet, so it’s essential that these specialists work well under pressure. Most projects are likely to involve numerous members of staff who are all working to agreed goals, so it’s critical that they all maintain their deadlines in order to deliver an efficient service and ensure the project is completed on time.

What Skills & Qualities Does a Successful Electrical Technician Need?

The skillset of an expert electrical technician ranges from practical to theoretical.

To be a successful electrician, you will need to have:

  • Strong mathematical skills in order to follow and complete project plans.
  • A comprehensive knowledge of building and construction, so that you can apply your skills to an active work site.
  • An awareness of trade equipment, in particular, how to operate and repair machinery and tools, as well as how to use them safely.
  • A basic understanding of technology for tasks that require the use of a computer or hand-held device.
  • Communication skills to provide a great customer service, as well as maintaining a good rapport with contractors and suppliers.
  • Problem-solving skills and a keen attention to detail for project management.

What are Essential Requirements for a Successful Electrical Technician?

Training and/or Experience

Applying for any job is competitive, but having qualifications will make you stand out from any other candidates.

However, if you have worked in the industry for 5 years or more and you do not have a level 3 qualification, you can still apply for an Experienced Worker Assessment, where you can get credit and recognition for the years you have been in the trade.

If this does not apply to you, you will need to gain practical experience in the workplace to become fully qualified.

You may also choose to study a college course, which will give you the technical knowledge you need, and through this you can apply for an installation and maintenance apprenticeship, where you will receive practical training.

ESC Card

Whether you are a fully qualified or trainee electrical technician, you need to have an ESC (Electrotechnical Certification Scheme) card.

Holding an ESC card proves your level of qualification is up to industry standard, and that you are competent to work on site.

Knowledge of Health & Safety

As with most practical trades, there is always the risk of injury when working as an electrical technician. This can include contact to exposed live wiring and shock or burns from equipment.

However, it is possible to minimise these risks by following health and safety guidelines set out by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive). These can be as simple as following safety protocol around machinery or tools, or making sure you are wearing protective clothing.

If you do not apply health and safety regulations to your work practice, you could find that you or a member of your team get injured. This could be perceived as negligence and affect your reputation, meaning that clients may not seek to hire you in the future.

What are the Possible Careers an Electrical Technician can Pursue?

 Being an electrician is a transferrable skill, which means there are many routes you can take as a trained professional.

If you are looking for a role that is more complex than your day-to-day electrical technician, you might want to consider specialising in a particular area, such as electrical design engineering.

For a role that requires more responsibility, you could apply for a site or project manager position, or you could even go back to where you began and train apprentices or teach in further education.

Tips for Applying for Electrical Technician Jobs

CV Application

You could be the most skilled worker in your field, but if your CV writing skills aren’t up to scratch you may lose out on an opportunity that is offered to someone else, based simply on how you present yourself.

It is always worth spending time and effort to make sure your CV has a professional finish (a little style goes a long way!).

If you’re not sure where your CV might need improvement, here are some factors you may want to consider:

  • Clarity – Your CV should be as clear to read as possible, avoiding the use of fancy fonts, excessive colours, abbreviations and slang.
  • Concise – Usually, a personal statement is required alongside your CV application. When writing this you should focus on why you are the most appropriate candidate. Keep it concise and to the point.
  • Formally written – You have to present yourself as a professional. When you are writing it, try to imagine you are talking to your future employer and you should find the correct tone naturally.
  • Up to date – Make sure to include the details of all your work experience, right up to the present. This way your employer will know just how qualified you are.
  • Presentation – Your CV should have a neat layout. If there is no structure, your CV may appear like an informal letter. Plan an order to your paragraphs, so that all the information is presented in relevant sections.

Once you are confident with your CV, it is then ready to hand over to any potential employers during the interview process, or to upload onto recruitment websites in order to expedite the process and find your dream role in no time at all.

Online Presence

Never underestimate the use of social media as a tool for advertising your services.

There are many options, from Facebook to Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. With any of these sites you can create an online presence that you frequently update and keep in the mind of your clients.

This also gives your happy customers an opportunity to pass on your profile and spread the word of your business.

You might also want to consider creating a website where you can show off your skills.

With a website there is a more of a chance to reach a wider net of clients, especially if your services and customer testimonies are on display and can be found easily through a search engine.

Get Started with BMR Solutions

Our team at BMR Solutions draw on over 30 years’ experience recruiting for technical sectors, helping our clients find employment opportunities in technical industries across Bristol and the South West.  We believe there is a perfect position for everyone, and we’re proud of the efficient and friendly service we provide, helping to connect employer and candidate.

If you’re an electrical technician looking for a new role, be sure to register your CV with us today or enter your email address to receive tailored job alerts. With a well-established client base, we’ll work with you to help you find your dream job.

If you have any further questions on our services and how we can help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly team.