How to Look for Large Plumbing Jobs

Plumbers repair water, waste and drainage systems in residential homes and commercial buildings. They also install plumbing fixtures, including sinks, toilets, bathtubs and showers. Many states require plumbers to gain a license before they begin providing services to consumers and businesses. With the right tools and resources, you can find a large plumbing job and earn a handsome income.

Instructions

1. Create a LinkedIn account to network. Search on "Companies" using the drop-down box at the top of the screen. Type in the name of the construction, engineering or utility company where you want to find a contact.
   Look for firms that have a large employee base. Review the company description; the types of plumbing management jobs, such as senior plumbing and design engineer, senior plumbing inspector or mechanical inspector that the firm specializes in; and the current and former employees who are members of LinkedIn.
   Note employees you know who are listed under the categories titled current, newly hired, popular profiles, recently promoted or former employees. Email them through LinkedIn. Inform them that you are seeking employment with the facility's maintenance or engineering department. Ask for the department manager's name. Request the name of a recruiter at the firm you can connect with as well. Submit your resume to both the manager and the recruiter. Send a thank-you letter to the person on LinkedIn who provided you with the firm's purchasing department and recruiter contacts. Follow up with the manager and recruiter two weeks after your initial contact if neither contacts you.

2. Apply with government agencies, which may offer some of the largest plumbing jobs available. Contact city, state and federal government agencies such as Department of Agriculture, Emergency Management, Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources. Reach out to the federal, state or local Civil Service Commission. Schedule and take required civil service examinations applicable to the jobs with a large range of responsibility such as plumbing inspector, sub-code official or plumbing engineer or designer that you apply for. Check with your state licensing board for large available plumbing jobs.

3. Look through international firm search directories such as Hoovers and Dun & Bradstreet (see Resources). Search on a utility, engineering or construction company name and state and city locations. Click on the type of industry in which you want to search for companies. Select "Plumbing," "Construction," "Engineering" or "Utilities." Review company history, management team information, firm size and headquarters. Send a cover letter and resume to utility, engineering and construction companies you want to work with. Address your cover letter to a specific person at the company. You may have to purchase a membership to access more services provided at the directory websites such as detailed company records.

4. Create a profile with online organizations such as Find a Plumber. Provide contact information so that users can contact you for contractor work. Create profiles on online job boards and visit them daily: Mechanical Electrical Plumbing (MEP) Jobs, Red Gold Fish, 6Figure Jobs and Career Builder (see Resources). Upload an effective, action-oriented resume.
   If needed, work through an experienced resume writer or outplacement service such as Lee Hecht Harrison or Ayers Group to polish your chronological or functional resume. Highlight projects and initiatives on your resume that you worked on that resulted in a significant cost savings. For example, you could write, "Managed a 40-person plumbing and engineering team during a city-wide flood that affected four main corporate office buildings. Month-long project netted a total cost savings of $9.8 MIL, more than 60% below price submissions provided by 20 external plumbing contractors." Type keywords into your resume such as pipe layer, project quantity surveyor, project manager or roof plumber that will allow it to pull up higher during plumbing or construction company employer applicant searches. Your resume is the first impression employers will often have of you. Consider revising your resume if you do not receive a response to it after two to three months.

5. Contact executive search firms and recruiting agencies such as Blue Fire Facilities Management, Park House Recruitment and CLP Resources (see Resources). Meet with associates at the firms. Inform an associate of the specific type of plumbing job you are seeking. Keep your employment choices narrow enough to increase the chances of landing the job you are seeking and broad enough to increase the likelihood that you will land work in a shorter span of time.

6. Attend large industry events. Attend conferences and seminars such as the World Plumbing Conference, Linux Plumbers Conference and the American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Expo. Distribute your business cards at the events to network with peers. Follow up with connections you made several days after the end of the event. Let them know that you are actively seeking employment. Make them aware of the specific type of senior-level plumbing job you are seeking.
   Consider joining associations such as the American Society of Plumbing Engineers, American Supply Association, American Water Works Association and city and state plumbing foundations such as the Plumbing Foundation of the City of New York.

Resources

• MEP Jobs
• Red Gold Fish
• CLP Resources
• American Society of Plumbing Engineers
• Dunn & Bradstreet