3 Skills and 6 Areas of Professionalism Millwrights Must Have

In a previous article, we mentioned that “millwright” can have many applications. For example, our millwrights design, build, and maintain agricultural machines. Along with the skills a millwright must have to be successful, every millwright must also have professionalism. When presenting yourself to others in your work field, you want to have a good first impression, but most importantly, you want to be known for your professionalism.

Skills

Millwrights can explore other specialized areas for any industrial machine. Most millwrights find their specific area with an apprenticeship and learn essential skills there. While there are many things that a millwright can learn, here are some skills that a millwright must learn.

Installation

Building and installing industrial machines is the primary reason for hiring a millwright. However, installation includes knowledge of many skills to get the job done efficiently. Installation includes making blueprints, getting the right materials, and other skills needed to get a job done to the specifications of the client.

Monitoring

Along with installing, millwrights have to be able to be able to monitor each machine. Knowing what to check for and how to check it is a skill that can be learned, but a millwright is the first teacher to the client. Every machine might have their own quirks, so having someone who knows both the installation and maintenance to show how to monitor the machine.

Maintenance

Knowing how a machine works on the technical side is important to upkeep any industrial machine. Taking apart the machine, finding the right problem, and replacing the correct part takes a lot of knowledge and experience. An apprenticeship is important to gaining that experience. Our millwrights have over fifteen years of industry experience, which is why we like to put our experience to the test for every client.

Professionalism

Professionalism can affect everything from your clientele to your boss to your employees. Most importantly, professionalism isn’t just how you dress, it’s about how you act.

Granted, nearly every person has their own opinion of what it means to be a professional, but for the most part, it is someone who looks and acts respectfully, knowledgeably, and is businesslike. There are six main qualities that impact how a person perceives you; they are conduct, customer service, appearance, communication, specialties, and body language.

Your Conduct

Your attitude and work ethic are at the forefront of your professionalism. While it can be easy to forget sometimes that people are always watching the way you conduct yourself, it’s important to keep in mind that you can create rifts in relationships with customers and coworkers. Showing up or delivering work late, rude behavior, a lack of confidence in meetings, and so on are all obvious things you should avoid in general, but this is especially true in business. 

Customer Service

This tip goes back to the basics but is important nevertheless. Good customer service can build strong relationships with clientele, which can be the factor that can lead to success. So, always speak in a courteous, polite manner and go above and beyond to make your clients feel special and like you appreciate their business.

Your Appearance

Your appearance says a lot about you; it can be the difference between someone assuming you’re lazy or that you’re hardworking. 

There are just a few essential things to remember to really make a good impression. Keep yourself groomed well, and wear clean, wrinkle-free clothes. Also, wear professional clothing, such as a quality suit, dress, or slacks with a dress shirt and blazer in brown, black, gray and blue.

Body Language

Your body language impacts your appearance significantly.  Rather than have timid body language, such as picking at your nails and slouching, show that you have confidence by standing or sitting with your shoulders back and hands clasped together in front of you. Don’t forget to have a firm handshake, too!

Communication Skills

Every professional should have excellent communication skills. Think about it – people tend to go out of their way to conduct business with people who are easy to reach.

Returning phone calls quickly, reaching out to customers to check-in, explaining down to the details, and double-checking you are doing the right thing the customer requested are a few examples of good communication.

Have a Specialty

Lastly, no one can do it all, so have a specialty and do your best to be well known for just that. Sticking with something you’re good at, rather than trying to spread yourself too thin, ensures quality with every project that you do. Over time, word will get around and you will become well-known for your professionalism in that skill.

If you are looking for experts in designing or building your agricultural machinery, we are ready to help with your project. Contact us to find out more and we’ll help you get your project started.