Electrician Jobs in the United Kingdom

Electrician Jobs Overview

An electrician installs, repairs, and maintains electrical systems in residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. Electricians usually work full-time. They are also typically on call for emergencies. Their work schedule varies depending on the company and its projects.

Most electricians work in homes, commercial buildings, factories, and construction sites. In this role, you'll quite frequently work in different locations and travel to various job sites. You may work indoors or outdoors, depending on the installation or repair work.

Some of the electrician jobs available include:

• master electrician: supervises and oversees electrical projects
• electrical estimator: assesses project requirements, estimates costs, and prepares bids for electrical installations
• electrical inspector: conducts inspections to ensure electrical installations comply with local and national electrical codes
• aircraft electrician: repairs, installs, and maintains electrical wiring in aircraft
• substation electrician: installs, repairs, and maintains electrical equipment in high-voltage electric substations
• marine electrician: installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems on ships

Finding Electrician Jobs

When you're searching for electrician jobs, be honest about your strengths, weaknesses, and ultimate goals. Think about the areas you excel in. You may be good at rewiring electrical systems but weaker when it comes to installing electrical conduits, for example. Write down areas where you need improvement.

Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound). By knowing where you stand right now, what you want within the electrical field, and where you hope to be later in your career, you can zero in on electrician jobs that are ideal for your needs.

Think about what your priorities are, too. Write down your salary needs and the type of work that you find fulfilling. Is it inspecting electrical buildings to see if they're up to code, installing systems, repairing them, or maintaining them?

Reviewing Electrician Job Openings

When reviewing descriptions for electrician jobs, carefully read the entire description. Look at your qualifications and see how closely they measure up to the job description. If there are areas where you think you may need additional training, consider becoming an apprentice to a master electrician to strengthen your weak areas.

Research the Company's Culture

Besides visiting the company's website, see if there is a blog where the company shares achievements and updates about their electricians. You can get a good feel for the work culture through blogs and newsletters. Also, hop onto social media to see what the company posts. Social media usually offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into a company.

If there are ratings and reviews for the company, read what present and past employees have to say about the work culture there. There may be reviews about the management style and the work environment. Do the electricians follow local codes? These kinds of details can help you decide whether to apply.

Look for Opportunities for Growth

One of the most important things to consider when deciding if electrician jobs are right for you is to determine how they fit into your long-term goals. Review the job description again to see if there is potential to grow.

When visiting the company's website, see if it offers training programmes or promotes from within. There may be courses on deciphering construction blueprints and technical diagrams, for instance. During the interview, ask about any growth opportunities, such as more electrical responsibilities or skill expansion.

How to Apply

Here are some tips to help you effectively prepare for the application process:

• Skills and qualifications: Identify the skills and qualifications you need. Look at the years of experience needed as well as any licences required. Some jobs will require that you have an electrical licence, while others may require that you pass an electrical exam.
• Learn exactly what the company does: Before you send off your application, make sure you understand exactly what electrical services the company offers.
• Follow all instructions: Many companies provide specific instructions regarding how they want applications submitted. If they require specific documents, such as proof of your electrical licence, upload them to the required platform.

Create an Effective CV

Creating a strong electrician's CV gives you a good chance of getting an interview. Here are some tips to follow:

• Use CV keywords: Many employers now use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen CVs. Essentially, they go through your CV to see if you have the required keywords in there. To find out what keywords they are looking for, return to the job description. You may see keywords such as "install electrical systems," "repair electrical systems," and "maintain electrical systems." Copy and paste them into your CV under the skills and experience sections, and use them in a similar, if not exact, format as the job description.
• Customise your CV: Tailor your CV for each job application. Use the right keywords for the job description, and emphasise the electrical skills and experiences that match the company's requirements.
• Provide references and samples of your work: If you have references from any previous electrical work you have done, make sure to include them.
• Showcase your achievements: Rather than listing all the duties you had, list the quantifiable electrical achievements for every duty. If you fixed electrical wiring in a building and prevented an electrical fire, mention that.

The above details the specifics you should include on your CV. Here are some common CV mistakes you need to avoid.

• typos or grammatical errors
• work history and duties that are too general
• highlighting duties instead of what you accomplished
• a CV with no action verbs
• incorrect contact information

Write a Compelling Cover Letter

Some applications for electrician jobs may require a cover letter. If it's optional, it's still a good idea to include one. Here are some ways to create a compelling cover letter:

• Personalise your cover letter: Tailor your cover letter to the company and position. If the company's focus is on industrial buildings, for example, emphasise your electrical experience in industrial settings.
• Showcase your qualifications and experience: After a strong introduction, use the core of the cover letter to highlight your electrical qualifications and skills. Emphasise why you are sure you meet their needs. Provide examples of your electrical accomplishments.
• Show enthusiasm and passion: Demonstrate your enthusiasm and genuine interest in the electrician job. Use action verbs and positive language.
• Close with a strong conclusion: End your letter by expressing your interest in further discussion or an interview.

Submit Your Application

Ready to apply? Before you send off your application, double-check it to ensure it's error-free. Make sure your contact information is present and correct. Then, sign up with Monster and upload your CV. After creating an account, you can start submitting applications for any electrician job that interests you.

Following Up With an Employer

Once you submit your application for the electrician job, you can take a breather and wait. Give the company time to review the applications. When enough time has passed — usually two weeks — consider following up with an email.

If you have a contact person or hiring manager's email, send a personalised email. Express your interest in the electrician role and mention when you submitted your application. Politely ask about the status of the hiring process and the company's timeline. You can also briefly reiterate your interest and why you believe you're qualified. It's important to keep your email focused, concise, and professional.

If you can't find a contact person, feel free to reach out to the electrical company and find out if it's possible to get the hiring manager's email. You could also ask for their phone number and speak to them directly.

Interviewing Tips for Electricians

If an electrical company contacted you for an interview, congratulate yourself! You made it this far. The next step is to nail the interview. Here are some important interviewing tips:

• Understand the job requirements: Go over the electrician job description again and see what the company highlights. Prepare to answer questions regarding any electrical rewiring you've done, any electrical installations, and so on.
• Practice interview questions: You may want to look up some interview questions and practice giving thoughtful and detailed answers about your past electrical work.
• Arrive early: Show up 10-15 minutes earlier than your scheduled time. Bring two extra copies of your electrician CV as well as any other relevant documents. Remember to bring a pen and notepad to take notes during the interview.
• Use the STAR method: Study the STAR method technique for answering behavioural questions in the electrical field. Describe the: situation, task you received, action you took, and results you achieved.

The Interview Process

The interview process for electrician jobs may be simple or complicated. There may be an initial interview, followed by more interviews with different managers. The interviews may differ, too. There could be phone interviews, in-person interviews, panel interviews, or video interviews. You may have to demonstrate your electrical expertise in a video interview.

You should also prepare yourself for the different formats:

• Behavioural interviews determine if you are a good fit for the work culture and the team.
• Competency-based interviews determine how skilled you are as an electrician and if you are familiar with the national and local codes.

Follow Up

Once you have finished the interview and given it your all, compose a thank-you email. You should send it the next morning, just to let the company know how grateful you were for the interview and how much you want the job.

If you have not heard back after two weeks, send a follow-up email or make a follow-up phone call. Thank the company again for the interview and emphasise that you are still interested in the electrician job. Be polite, concise, and professional.

After You Get an Offer

Once you get an electrician job offer, you should take specific steps before saying yes.

• Ask for time to consider: Start by expressing your appreciation, and then ask for time to carefully review the offer.
• Review the compensation package carefully: Take a look at the salary, benefits, vacation time, retirement plans, and health insurance.
• Ask specific questions: After reviewing the offer, ask specific questions about matters like the company's expectations and growth opportunities for electricians.
• Negotiate your salary if necessary: If you feel the initial salary offer is below the median electrician salary for your city or less than you need, consider negotiating.
• Respond to the offer: If you like the offer, accept it and sign any necessary paperwork. If you plan on declining the offer, do so professionally and politely.

Career Paths for Electricians

A career as an electrician opens up various avenues for advancement. It's not always easy to decide which career path to follow within the electrical field. You can start by assessing your interests and strengths. It's also a good idea to research different career paths and find out what excites you the most.

Professional Development and Networking Opportunities

It's crucial to grow, expand your knowledge, and network within your field. Subscribe to electrician magazines or newsletters, and join professional organisations.

If you can, attend workshops and conferences. Learn from industry experts, network, and discover learning opportunities. Another way to network is to stay active in online communities. This can be a great way to share and gather knowledge about the electrical industry.

You can also gain more certificates and consider a master's degree or even a doctorate within the electrical field. Your goal should always be to expand your knowledge and grow.

The Future of the Industry for Electricians

Several technological advancements will affect the electrician industry and electrician jobs. These include:

• Renewable energy: As the world shifts to solar panels and wind power, there will be opportunities for electricians to install and maintain these renewable energy systems.
• Energy efficiency: The increasing demand for energy-efficient buildings and systems will result in a higher demand for electricians familiar with installing and maintaining energy-efficient homes and businesses.
• Smart technology: Electricians will need to adapt to smart technology as it becomes the norm. As phones and apps control more devices, electricians will have to integrate this knowledge into their skill set.
• Electric vehicles (EVs): As electric vehicles start to dominate cities, there will be a greater demand for installing EV charging stations at homes and businesses.

Similar Occupations to Electrician Jobs

Looking for a job similar to that of an electrician? Try out these options:

• electrical engineer
• HVAC mechanic