Refrigeration & HVAC Technician Jobs: Find Your Ideal Employer

All the signs look like there will be a growing number of HVAC technician jobs and Refrigeration technician jobs available this spring and summer. If you are lucky enough to be able to choose between multiple job offers, how will you make that decision? 

There are a lot of reasons to think carefully about the employer you choose to work for, so you end up with a job and a company you’ll be happy to stay with. 

In this article, we’ll explain why it’s so important to pick the right company, and we’ll tell you about 5 things you should consider to help you choose your ideal employer for now and for the future.

Refrigeration & HVAC technician jobs: why the right employer is so important

Frequently jumping around from one employer to another is not a smart career strategy. It often means you haven’t done a great job of evaluating either the job or the employer (or both) before you accepted the position. 

When you accept an entry-level Refrigeration or HVAC technician job, your goal should be to stay with that company. Here’s why:

Your reputation. When you frequently switch jobs, it’s a red flag for employers. They may be wary of investing time and money to train you if it’s likely you’ll leave after a short time.

Time off. When you stay with the same employer, you accrue more paid time off. When you switch employers, you usually have to start over.

Career advancement. When you stay with the same employer, they have a chance to get to know your strengths, and you’re more likely to get promoted.

Relationships and work satisfaction. When you work with people for a while, you get to build trusted relationships that make working more rewarding and enjoyable.

And, let’s face it: most people do not enjoy job hunting. That’s true even when there are a lot of jobs available. So when you land a job, you’re going to want to make sure you will be happy and want to stay, so you don’t find yourself having to look for a job again in the near future.

Finding your ideal employer: factors to consider

To set yourself up with a job and company you want to stick with, here are the things you’ll want to think about before you make a decision. 

When you research Refrigeration technician jobs and HVAC technician jobs and companies, try to learn these things in advance if you can (on the company’s website or by asking others who know the company), and be sure to ask about them during your job interview. 

In fact, asking questions like these shows that you are smart and resourceful, and may even improve your chances of being offered a job.

1. Company culture

This is number one on our list for a reason. The culture of the workplace impacts everything you do and can make all the difference between a great work experience and a miserable one. Try to find out the following:

• Do people seem to get along? (Pay attention to how people behave when you go for an interview.)
• Are the employees generally happy there? (Are there a lot of long-term employees?)
• Does the company treat employees well? (Look for planned social events and gestures that recognize and thank employees for their efforts and contributions.)
• Does the employer have a history of taking care of employees? (What did they do to support their employees during the pandemic?)

2. Training program

Even if you went to trade school, you have a lot more to learn before you become an expert HVAC or Refrigeration technician. In fact, you’ll need to continue learning throughout your career to keep your skills current and stay up to date with new technology. That’s why the training you get through your employer is so important.

Be sure to find out the details about the training a potential employer offers. For example, will they send you to the union training school? Have they developed their own training program, and what does that look like? Do they have a mentorship program? Will they send you to manufacturers’ training classes or other industry events? Will they support you and help you to learn what you need to reach your career goals?

3. Company size

Size is important, because it impacts many things about Refrigeration technician jobs and HVAC technician jobs, including many of the other factors mentioned here. For example, is it a small, close knit team where you’ll know everyone well, or a large one where there are many talented experts to learn from? Size can also impact your work assignments: there might be more variety at a large company, but at a small one you can really get to know your customers.

Keep in mind that bigger is not necessarily better. It all depends on your own interests, preferences, and goals. 

4. Business focus and customers

Learning about a potential employer’s business focus is highly recommended, especially if you have very specific interests and career goals. For example, if you’re most interested in working as a Refrigeration technician, your best bet is to work for an employer that does all or mostly Refrigeration service.

If you’re looking to become an HVAC technician, do you see yourself specializing in a particular area, such as repairing chiller systems? Then you’ll want to work with a company that focuses on that type of work. On the other hand, if you’re just starting out, you may want to work with a company that has a broader scope of work so you get to experience more variety.

5. Union membership

Last but definitely not least, union shops offer lucrative benefits that are hard to come by elsewhere. 

Take a look at this article to learn why it’s so smart to look for union employers in your search for Refrigeration & HVAC technician jobs: The Best HVAC Companies to Work For Are Union Shops.

Get ready to apply for NYC Refrigeration & HVAC Technician jobs

Before you take the leap and start applying for entry-level jobs in HVAC & Refrigeration, take our self assessment quiz to find out if you’re well suited to work in this industry.

HVACR Career Connect NY was created to promote the exceptional quality-of-life benefits of a career in HVAC and Refrigeration service, and also to provide a clear path for getting started in the profession. In doing so, we serve as a resource for employers in the New York City metro area to find and hire smart and capable new technicians. We also serve as an educational resource to support business growth and to help service technicians succeed in their chosen profession.