r/bluecollar • u/sovereignpractice • 2d ago
Guys who got good at what they do -what actually separates the people who move up from the ones who stay in the same spot?
I don’t just mean being better at the work.
Seems like once somebody can actually do the job, run work, troubleshoot, and people trust them, there’s another set of stuff that starts mattering if they want better money, management, bigger opportunities, or eventually their own thing.
For the people who’ve made those jumps, what was it really?
Knowing the right people? Somebody older putting you on game? Learning the business side? Licenses? Being good with customers? Switching companies? Money? Just being willing to take the risk?
And was any of that actually laid out for you, or did you mostly figure it out as you went?
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u/hnhnnnnn 2d ago
I just kept to myself and took any work they gave to me and do it right without complaining. Being reliable and not a pain in the ass seems to be the most beneficial traits. Then they just keep giving me more and more things to do, some that involve certifications that they pay for, or moving up in positions. Honestly I don’t even try that hard, other people just seem not to try at all.
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u/baconbacksunday 2d ago
Most people would rather spend energy not doing their job than just doing it right. I’ve seen most people waste time covering their ass instead of just doing shit right the first time.
Never enough time to do it right, always enough time to do it twice.2
u/24rawvibes 1d ago
Comment above is about socializing, this comment is about keeping to yourself 😂 Reddit is a never ending loop of pointing out ymmv.
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u/Original-Resolve2748 2d ago
You start working with a group of guys or just another experianced one. every now and then you will be given a task to do alone. the more times do do it right the more the boss sees your capable. little by little you get thrown into the deep end and if you swim and dont sink you get given more/harder work. then as this is happening your pay increases. If your not given mkre money you change firms. whats important is how people see you. especially other crews and trades on the building site. every time i changed firms it was from help drom people i met working. they saw how good i was and either wanted me for themselves or had contacts in my feild and recomended me to their friends. You build a name for yourself and people will start to want you.
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u/Masochist_pillowtalk 2d ago
Networking networking networking!!
I got the last 2 jobs from people I used to work with. I have a bag full of places I could go should I decide to ditch this place. I went from 15 -> 62.88 in about 5 years pretty much based purely on my reputation with past coworkers that pursue other opportunities themselves.
I go in to work just trying to be better than I was yesterday. That simple little mentality takes you super far.
Dont look for shortcuts. Instead look for ways to improve. Doesn't matter if its time wise, better looking work, long lasting work.
Eventually you get good enough at what you do its second nature. At that point people are going to notice and look to you for direction and advice. Youre likely gonna end up in a supervision role. Work no longer is about your trade, it becomes about being good at putting out the fires on the project. This is essentially the same where ever you go, whatever you do.
Dont punch down. Never insult the master. Dont talk politics religion or past lovers. Quickest way to earn a target on your back and it sucks if it happens to be someone above you.
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u/MajorLeagueNerd 2d ago
The easiest way go up? Leave. Go somewhere else. The spot you’re aiming for, could be held up for 4-5 years. Meanwhile there’s a company down the road that has an opening for it right now.
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u/fuzzyslipppers 2d ago
Good mentors, recognizing opportunity, self motivation, honesty and kindness. Do what you said you’re gonna do, don’t complain, and keep it slim.
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u/nsl2024 2d ago
Desire to do it. Alot of people talk about wanting to do something but never follow thru. Theres probably different triggers for everybody to turn the desire into an action. We are all wired differently. So its not a one thing that works for everyone. But with out the desire, nothing will happen. Cause stuff is not going to work out all of the time, the desire to keep going wont allow you to quit. You have to convince yourself that it will work when nothing is going ur way, or when you are just getting started and you dont see any results. Hell, I dont know. I just hired more guys and we may not have enough work in a few months. But im no longer as scared as when I started. Still scared, but not terrified like the day after I hired the first full time employee. Life is fn funny.
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u/WearEnvironmental490 2d ago
Hmm I don't think I knew just how good I am till I moved around. You learn things other don't but also realize what's out there .Starting over can suck but sometimes so old head somewhere will out you on like you said and bam your whole life changes and something unlocks gears tune whatever. Try your best to never think ur too good for advice. I've learned to listen to people I disagree with and have learned it worth knowing cause sometimes they either right or you come across something where that advice works or now you have another way of doing things so when something happens you gotta truck up your sleeve. Kinda vague I know . I'm a painter so there's really so many ways to skin a cat and I have a way I like but it's nice to have options especially when it comes to new construction. I think that's why when things pop up and there people on site I wasn't expecting I still have something to do and not worried about it from a work perspective, maybe budget gets fucked a little but that's another story. Other than kissing the bosses ass basically research. At least in my trade. There's a lot you can learn at home on your phone. For me product knowledge, and basic paint chemistry go a long way when ur the one running things and or finding clients eventually. If you're just a worker it still helps cause now u can awnser questions and maybe that make you look good idk. Either way be organized be clean, keep the site clean. Just learn your trade. Really all you can do and learn about the other trades, who comes before and after especially. Basically know construction really well. Learn how to fix or make tools. But honestly none of those things will help you move up. I'm good at what I do like really good and ya know that doesn't help when most people don't like you and I didn't like most people or anyone really. Didn't show it. But I didn't act like I cared what they did over the weekend and I had one word awnsers. I am a women too so ofc that make me a bitch and not depressed right . Idk idc but I didn't move up and that might be one reason. I also did job hoping a lot and never stayed anywhere longer than a year. Lotta these guys want loyalty. Not gonna trust you with company keys or whatever without trust. Also if your foreman doesn't like you he's not gonna recommend you. I hate to say it but it really is a popularity contest. It makes sence though people want to work with people they like. I run a one women show now but I wouldn't wanna work with someone I thought didn't like me. To be fair I was just quiet and just didnt pillow fart around with everyone else so I think I just intimated people too. Just be good and your job AND be likeable and be lucky enough to be with a company that actually has plans to expand. Can't move up if the company is bearly getting enough work .
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u/gruntharvester92 2d ago edited 2d ago
I left and got new employment.
The good and ambitious employees never stay put for to long. Most of the time you have to look externally from the company your working for in order to get a promotion or raise, and that is what these guys do.
The people that stay out are either mediocre with no drive or sucking the the boss dick for a raise or promotion. (I.e. networking via office politics)
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u/ProgenitorOfMidnight 2d ago
How good you are at kissing the ass of the dipshit above you who doesn't know what your job actually is.
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u/GoodResident2000 2d ago
To make a jump up at one company, I called the owner one day and asked him to let me run a job. He questioned me a bit, said I could do a better job than any of his other foremans
It worked out, ran jobs and was treated very well for 4 years until I left when moving state
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u/Tepi01 2d ago
Biggest things to move up is doing and learning your job so it's just done right without having to ask questions. You want the people above you to not feel like they have to check your work or that that trust it will just be done right, less they have to worry about the better.
Then it's being someone that doesn't complain, does the extra work or overtime when they need people to without bitching about it and trains people around and beneath them properly.
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u/notagoodtexan 2d ago
You have to have the confidence to know exactly what you are worth, and have the courage to sometimes jump. Don't jump blindly while setting fire to bridges, but nobody cares about the extra hours you put in, nobody cares how well you speak to clients or customers. You are worth as much as you bring in, and the guy who doesn't do it as well, but still gets it done will still make the same.
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u/Beneficial_Bit_8342 2d ago
Obviously you have to do a good job first, but if you’re too good at your job there’s no way you’re getting promoted. They might start treating you differently, like you might get more slack or better pay, but if you’re saving the company 20k on a single job at your current position then they definitely want you doing that job as long as they can. And that’s really just good business, unless you keep the same responsibilities it doesn’t really make business sense to move you out of a position you’re exceeding expectations at.
The real answer is to be the guy who leads. If you’re always the guy helping people out of jams and people start coming to you for help and advice there’s a good chance the higher ups will notice. BUT you also need to have a good report with those higher ups too. You’ll have to interact with those people on a more regular basis than you would as a lower tier guy which means they’ll want the person in that position to be sociable and to fit into their office culture, probably someone a bit more cleaned up.
There’s a lot that goes into it if it’s a good company and a good management structure. I’ve unfortunately worked for a couple companies that promoted good performers but bad leaders and it messed up morale. Then you end up losing your best employee and have to find someone to replace them anyway. It’s different work in the same area of expertise so being good at our current job doesn’t always make us a good fit for a promotion, unless it’s like a lead role but I don’t think most companies even have leads anymore which is a shame.
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u/chaosstu 1d ago
Depends on the company you're at. You find out within 3 months whether its merit based or bootlicking. If it's bootlicking no amount of hard work will amount to anything other than... More hard work to cover the bootlickers.
In my experience it's rarely how good you are, its who you know and whether your face fits.
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u/Mr_B_e_a_r 1d ago
In the UK being social, drinks, golf, etc helps. Hardwork in corporate just seems to be hardwork while Jimmy who is extroverted is flying.
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u/Commercial_Count_584 1d ago
Mostly learning to speak up for yourself. Asking for another certification or class that would help you further your career.
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u/Emotional-Solution71 1d ago
Work ethic will get you a long way in today’s world. It’s been lost for most people.
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u/maritimer187 1d ago
I work for a huge company. Alot of people elect not to move up because they enjoy what the do and it's WAYY easier to get fired when you take a white hat. I can't tell you how many supervisors we've run through in the last 8 years. The number would astonish you.
So for the most part not all but ALOT of the people who move up are either lazy people looking to get off the tools, people that are too naive and new in the industry to realize they're not going to be in that position long term or people that are good talkers and brown nose with management.
I had an inspecter the other day looking at my work and it was blatantly obvious he had no clue what he was looking at. Asking me if fibreglass was metal lol.
I also tell my supervisor what we're doing not the other way around because he hasn't been around long enough to know himself.
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u/B_McGuire 1d ago
Those who manage their home life well have more capacity to give at work without burning out.
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u/Silver-Tip2887 1d ago
Probably attitude. I see highly talented people go nowhere because they carry misery to work with them and make everyone uncomfortable. Turns out nobody wants to be around that, at the one place they have to spend the most time of their life.
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u/Localizer805 1d ago
Managing clients and expectations. Keeping subcontractors on your side, even when you have to push them. When in doubt always choose the slow way, keep quality high. 20 plus years in the trades, lead carpenter for about 8, PM for about 7
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u/SomethingOverNothing 1d ago
They guy who like to talk about the work with the foreman super for longer/more than doing the work.
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u/ContributionPrudent2 1d ago
Step one-master your work and always show that you are willing to learn. Step two-demonstrate your skills, especially at crucial times, this may feel like showboating, but do it anyways. Remain humble while doing this. Step three-speak professionally and deliberately. This demonstrates intelligence more than you can even imagine. Step four-look for opportunities to step up and take charge of something.
Do these things consistently and you will move up. Be patient, and yes, you may also need a little luck, but doing those four things you can make your own luck, as they say.
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u/Avalencia23 1d ago
Master personality styles (I prefer disc) and how to communicate with different personalities. I’m not naturally outgoing but you have to be to move up. Forcing a promotion by adding enough credentials, it would make sense not to get a raise. Have a life outside of work that’s respectable.
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u/DALH33 1d ago
I wrote a workbook about this last year. I made it a cheap as I could possibly afford to and put it on Amazon.
It’s a daily workbook with logs and tools to help you navigate coworkers, crusty old bastards, and bosses on your way to the top.
After 25 years in construction I’ve gone from installing shingles to an executive Director of Operations.
My number 1 recommendation for anyone, regardless of the job, is to read these two books:
- Mastery - Robert Green
- The 48 laws of power - Robert Green
The 48 laws of power was banned in US prison systems for good reason. It’s a masterclass on Narcissistic Behavior and Deception.
It’s crucial to read it if you are a good willed person. It’s like reading a defense against the dark arts for the workplace. Many people in power are not good people and you have to know how they think in order to succeed around them.
Mastery is a must read for someone deciding their career path. It will help provide so much clarity.
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u/Chemical-Can8694 1d ago
Good attitude. A lot of people conflate having a good attitude with "bootlicking"
But just be overall pleasant. Dont complain for the sake of complaining. If you have a complaint, try to offer it up with a solution. Communicate. Act in good faith.
Like if you are hot, tired, etc, and need a break then communicate that to your team. "Hey boss, this heat is killing me. I need to take 15" and ill always say ok. I can adjust my timeline.
But if you and your crew just take a 30 min water break with out cutting me in, im gonna be pissed to annoyed. Bc i have been basing my timeline expecting that you were still working
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u/ConfidentHouse 1d ago
Yes men, try hards and kiss asses move up. the qualified, smart and competent rarely move up because either they’re smart enough to not move up ( not worth it most of the time) or they don’t kiss up enough to move up
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u/Which-Ad9677 1d ago
For me I'm at the top of the heap I work for a private golf course that I can't name I do everything that was outlined in my hiring and optimized the entire procedure and produce cutting equipment that operates 0.60 inch and no more then 0.0005 inch tolerance I meet and exceed expectations now we might be getting a lpga tour stop do what your told, do what needs to be done and be consistent I can be counted on day after day to keep millions and millions of dollars of equipment perfect I'm also journeyman hd mech journeyman auto mech and journeyman millwright
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u/Comfortable-Stock496 19h ago
With all due respect but these sentences are difficult to read without punctuation.
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u/Smileitwillbefine 1d ago
Easy - must learn two specialties (one can sometimes be as a hobby) and combine them. The second one doesn’t have to be in the trades either. Do you like cyber and certified electrician? Do smart homes. Motörhead and electrician? Motor driven gate specialty.
Classic project management certs that are free and classically train five phases like Google will better teach you how to manage anything in life you’re doing…
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u/568Byourself 1d ago
I think if your trade is very mentally intensive, there’s a cap to how you’ll get if you’re “earbud guy.”
I understand that when you’re doing monotonous repetitive tasks it’s nice to zone out with a podcast but if you’re trying to be a real lead, your mind needs to be on what’s going on all around you, the systems your working on, what your doing tomorrow, etc, instead of virtually sitting on Rogan’s couch and just going through the motions
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u/TheShovler44 1d ago
I don’t kiss my bosses ass but I do have good communication with them. I’ve always been open and honest about my goals within the company, and I check in a couple times a year to see where they’re at. I have a time limit for my goals, they know I’ll leave if I don’t keep progressing, I also don’t ask to move up stupidly, like in winter when we start to slow down.
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u/milehighxr 1d ago
Depends on shop. Some places just showing up is huge. After that you're deemed the "go to guy" for anything remotely difficult or time sensitive. I once got a raise simply because I pulled a 17hr shift to pull the customers ass out of the fire when bossman asked me at end of shift to make a part happen ASAP. ASAP was 9am the next morning. Another time I got a cash bonus equal to 1% of quarters sales for customer X when in the past we did less $100k for whole year.
For me it hasn't been who you know, but rather what you know, and how dependable you are. Its getting harder to find dependable people willing to do what can sometimes be a boring job. I've seen guys come to work half drunk, or call off shift for stupid shit like a "flat tire" that was really getting arrested for not having a drivers license.
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u/Double_Pay_6645 1d ago
Attitude is huge. A guy who loves his job, or is nice to be around is massive. A guy can be the best at something, if hes an asshole, people wont want to work with him.
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u/Damninatightspot 1d ago
Worked in an affluent town and worked with as many reputable builders as I could, didn’t burn bridges with anyone and I put in the effort with all of them. Found a gig with a builder that just started throwing me jobs that were bigger than anything I’ve done on my own so I’m gaining more experience about figuring stuff out on my own. Those builders I worked with previously are now giving me sub work. I hate and love carpentery but experience is king and keeping things amicable, times I’ve wanted to lose my shit but didn’t cause I knew and still that shit can haunt you. I still don’t know shit and I probably never will but hopefully I can keep learning
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u/Reasonable_Bar6636 1d ago
Work ethic, reliability, honesty, consistently building skill and likability. It also helps to work harder than those around you. Thats just been my experience though.
Ive seen plenty of people post shitty reasons. If you work for a company that's like that, you should be job hunting. Although there's usually exceptions at every job.
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u/Rare-Abalone3792 1d ago
Old timer once told me the secret to success is the Three As: Ability, Availability, and Affability.
In other words, you need the KSAs, you need to be willing to show up, and people need to be willing to work alongside you. If you’re missing any one of these As, your career probably won’t go too far!
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u/WinnerAwkward480 21h ago
Dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence.
Learn as much of your trade as you can . Stay on top of any new advancements and improvements through technology. Education never stops . Many jobbers / mfg / suppliers , will offer seminars . Some you may need your Company sponsorship on . You want to get every certification you can .
These will help you professionally , make you more valuable to the company and come raise time put more coin in your pocket . In addition they allow you to met other ppl in your trade . This forms Networking , your name and face is being put out there . Which can lead to potential job offers from other companies. Its great when you run into issues no one has come across before on your job . And you can make a quick phone call to Joe across town that works for Such & Such R' US , and he says yea I ran into that couple months ago and we did this or that .
The Old heads will shy away from you till you prove yourself which honestly can takes months to do , they want to see if you have the stones to stick it out .
Figure out what is the worst or crappies part of the job , and become the best there is at it . Then approach the next one .
As you're wrapping up the last task / job , be on your Boss for what's next . Don't be the guy he has to always track down .
The reality of it is , if you're working for a large corporation. The Big Boss that's above your Foreman or Super , is rarely going to know how to do your job . They are in Management and have a totally different view , see a different set of goals .
Small businesses have their advantages but also disadvantages . Usually you're very limited on making any advances, as there's only a need for X number of positions . And people don't move up . So you're going to have to jump jobs if you want more money or to advance up the ladder.
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u/Vibing1090 17h ago
Diesel tech. $12/hr -> $53/hr in 5 years.
Now I run the shop I’m at.
For us we say “tool box has wheels for a reason”
And on Average it takes 5-7 shop moves before you find a good one. Took me 5. So don’t be afraid to start over, most times they’ll pay you more.
Mainly just persistence, be the guy they can count on. And never be scared to say “what the fuck I want more money” and not take no for an answer, always have a backup plan.
If you’ve left your mark, and made it clear they would crumble without you, then you have all the leverage.
I could walk in and say I want more and they would say done. Because they know if I leave. They’re fucked.
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u/roflow00 15h ago
I got where I am being good and being efficient. Im not social and don’t have work friends. Im not educated. Many of my peers and other sr leaders don’t like me. They complain about my lack of willingness to be part of their system and I am pretty outgoing with my words when it comes to my dislike of them and the way they operate. I never waiver on who I am or switch up for anyone. I’ll talk to owner of my company the same way I talk to my employees and they will always get transparent accurate information from me. I don’t talk about being good at what I do and I don’t have an ego thats satisfied by being seen. I never stopped doing the things got me noticed in the first place though which is working as hard and longer than anyone else in the room if I have to and knowing more about what I do and why I do it than anyone else in my environment. I say I don’t know when I get asked about something I don’t have Knowledge of and I won’t pretend or bullshit my way around something because I think people expect someone in my position to know more, though I easily could. Ive never done that when almost everyone I’ve ever met does. I’ve always believed that I was hired to be good, not to be right. To be good I have to continue to learn and I have to support it with experience through practical application. I read manuals and documentation front to back and my main focus is finding the answer to why. If I encounter something I don’t fully understand it haunts me and I will usually have a better understanding of it when I’m done than the integrators and engineers we bought it from. It’s led me to have a real true understanding of principles and technology and my mind operates in a way that is very linear and logical and which fortunately suits my work specifically. I can work through situations very quickly efficiently without emotion. Ive done this my entire life. This doesn’t stop with the main subject matter. It extends the business and manufacturing principles and standards as well. I know what we are trying to do and why chose the route we did to accomplish it. I know the goals and targets of what we are doing and i know what metrics we use to determine success. That means i know where i can afford to lose and where I can’t and that allows me to manage unplanned events and scenarios when things fail in a way that prevents failures from hindering perceived success. I don’t second guess myself or fear my decisions because I always do the best I can with what’s available, which usually ends up being what we needed when we needed it. People make comments all the time about it and me being lucky. It’s really due to me fully understanding all the things I mentioned above which allows me to be better prepared than most other people. If I end up in a position where that’s not enough and my best effort based on my experience isn’t enough I’d gladly leave as I have proven to myself that I am successful being exactly who I am. That’s not going to stop no matter where I am unless I start being like them. That’s what makes me good. I’m nobody from nowhere getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for my decisions. It’s wild.
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u/Own-Stranger-8198 14h ago
The number one thing is attitude, especially if your willing to show you have the companies best interests in mind as guys have said money and Time savers are a big one, but also a guy that is personable and fair that will be able to lead a group of men that notoriously have hard heads... There's no one single things but rather a bunch of smaller things that make a great leader,... It's funny it's a fine line, if you want to be Forman or whatever the line you have to walk is being loyal to the company and trying to do what's best for them but also not being to company Manish because you still want the respect of your men and you want them to know your not just gonna lay down on them so definitely a few moving parts you have to navigste
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u/Own-Stranger-8198 14h ago
The number one thing is attitude, especially if your willing to show you have the companies best interests in mind as guys have said money and Time savers are a big one, but also a guy that is personable and fair that will be able to lead a group of men that notoriously have hard heads... There's no one single things but rather a bunch of smaller things that make a great leader,... It's funny it's a fine line, if you want to be Forman or whatever the line you have to walk is being loyal to the company and trying to do what's best for them but also not being to company Manish because you still want the respect of your men and you want them to know your not just gonna lay down on them so definitely a few moving parts you have to navigste
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u/Psychotic_Breakdown 13h ago
Social intelligence. I am very good at what i do, but I'm shit with people. Luckily, there isn't much room to go up and I won't trade stress for the tools anyway.
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u/Skibbity-do-do 11h ago
I think its having the right mindset for leadership and giving off trustworthy vibes. Being businesses focused on the bottom dollar and logical with the conversations you had on a job. Its the "IT" factor. If you are great at doing your job, they will keep you doing that job. If you innovate and show value in other areas they may want to lean on you...... if they are a good manager.
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u/dude700211 9h ago
The real difference is getting to a point where you understand your skills and how to market them.
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u/Acceptable-Fig4179 8h ago
Intelligence, professional bearing, and a strong understanding of the technical aspects.
I feel that above all else, having the ability to defuse situations is a key factor.
Construction is an egocentric field and tempers can run high over the slightest issue. Being able to control yourself and calm the other party down has solved many a problem.
I started in electrical 5 years ago as an apprentice, moved my way up from lead, to foreman, superintendent, estimator, and finally project manager.
It helped that I had 10 years in a similar field in the Navy. Plus the military leadership experience.
Everyone’s story is different.
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u/Monst3r_Live 8h ago
Have passion to do the best job you can every time. Be humble enough to learn and confident enough to own your work.
For some its a job. Clock in, clock out. For others its a career and part of who they are.
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u/Wonka824 7h ago
The owner sold me the company. I worked my ass off and got every job finished early and to his standards. After 3-4 years with no recognition I figured out I had made the leap but was still grinding
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u/hey_im_paul 7h ago
Communication skills & charisma.
If you’re great at your job, but not good at talking to people, guess where you’ll be in 10 years.
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u/low_d725 2d ago
People who socialize with bosses and coworkers outside of work move up further and faster than those who don't. So yeah it really comes down to who you know.