Is it Time to Become a 3rd Party Inspector?

So, when is it time to become a 3rd party inspector?

…the answer is, “that depends”. If you’re not inspector material…then never. Just because you have worked in the industry for 20 years, doesn’t mean that you will be a good inspector. Likewise, if you haven’t worked in the industry for 20 years, doesn’t mean that you will be a bad inspector. So, what is inspector material? Well, if you’ve ever met an inspector who should not have been an inspector, then you understand. I want to share 3 major factors that I think are indicators that maybe it’s time to start looking at the inspection career path.

3 Major Factors

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• Experience Level

Although most inspectors don’t know every single thing about their craft, they should be competent.  If you desire to be an inspector, then you need to be competent too. This is normally accomplished, in part, by your previous work experience. The different types of work experience that prepares you for an inspection career can vary a lot. It is typically best if you have a significant amount of experience in the industry and field that you intend to inspect in.

What if you don’t have that kind of experience?

If you don’t have that kind of background, it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker. In many cases, it surprises people to realize how much preparation they already have. Many acquired skills are easily used across the board and can be applied in various situations if they are similar. Don’t discount life experience either. Although it’s not something that usually goes well on a resume, we all know how important and valuable your personal life experiences can be. As an inspector, they can be a tremendous asset.

If your background or work history isn’t enough to properly prepare you to work as an inspector, then you probably should consider additional trainings and/or certifications. Second in importance, after work experience, is education and there are many different certifications and trainings available.  Trainings and certifications often play a key role in an inspector’s education, regardless of his/her current formal education level. Although it’s not job experience, there can be a lot of knowledge gained from trainings.

Check out these trainings.

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• People Skills

There is a severe lack of people skills in some parts of the inspection community. As you might expect, the people with the poorest people skills often think that tact and understanding are optional. The truth is that the inability to communicate well and get along with contractors (and other inspectors) should be enough to eliminate the inspectors who cause problems from the field. With many companies today, this is becoming a reality. Inspectors who cannot get along, regardless of their knowledge and experience level, are simply not re-hired on the next project…end of story?…right?

Not Quite…they usually just go to another project where either no one knows their ways, or else they go to work with people who have similar views. Then, the chip on their shoulder seems to get bigger and bigger. These are the people that you hear complaining about management letting the contractors go wild, or how their fellow inspectors aren’t doing their jobs correctly, or this negative, that negative, then something else negative…although these all can be genuine issues, they’re often not.

If you were an inspector, what would be the best way to deal with others?

1.Separate yourself from negative people as much as possible because they tend to rub off on others. That may be hard to do at first, but keep trying.

2. Be positive. Make people happy to see you. If you can’t do that, at least don’t make them unhappy to see you!

3. Be good at your job…Be REALLY good at your job! Sometimes that makes people angry. That’s ok, because that’s their problem, not yours. Most people will appreciate this and think well of you for it.

4. Forgive. If you’re going to be happy in this life, you’ll have to learn to forgive. Remember, even the really great people in your life and on your job will sometimes do really crappy things…so will you.

5. Show respect to the chain of command, even if you don’t believe that they deserve it.

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• Family Situation

What stage are you at in life? If you are single, or have no commitments, read no further.

BUT, if you are in a committed relationship and will be leaving home, it can be pretty hard on you. I started inspecting when my youngest child was 5 and my oldest was 11 (Now my oldest has been an inspector himself for 6 years). Back then it was really hard on everyone in our family…REALLY HARD.

Currently, if you’re working a job that takes you away from home, then maybe your family has already adjusted. If so – that’s great. If not – it really sucks. You will miss a lot of important things and you will put a lot of extra hardships on your partner. On the other hand, you will make an excellent living once you are able to stay busy. Some people even choose to only work 6 months a year. This makes things easier at home, because you’re only gone half of the time. Either way, you need to talk things over with your family and make certain that they are on board with you. Even if they are onboard –

You will be missed by your loved ones.

You will get calls about problems at the worst possible times.

Sometimes people will be upset at you for being gone so much.

…And you will be giving the people who you love a better life (hopefully saving some money in the process).

You will see some amazing places and meet some of the best people on the planet!

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If you have the right experience level, decent people skills, and an acceptable home situation, you’re probably ready to get your feet wet.

So, if that’s the case, go on over and join the basic membership at Onboard-Now.com  UPDATE – basic membership at OnBoard is closed. Premier membership is currently accepting new members.

No contacts for jobs? Sign up for the Premier Membership because we offer a MASSIVE contact list among a lot of other things.

Here are a few other things that are also important:

• Computer Skills 
• Dress the part
• Speak clearly and (somewhat) correctly
• Be able to write decent reports
• Being able to understand a specification (Maybe I should write something about that)
• The ability to read and understand drawings (Maybe I should write something about that too)

I’m sure that I left out a lot of things. If there is a topic you would like to see more on drop me a line at Contact@Onboard-Now.com

Read Nothing Beats Contacts!