Have you thought about a new career? Ever thought about how to become a painter?
As of the writing of this article, the trades are generally starving for great people. Painting is a career in which you can earn what you want and live where you want while doing it. Have you thought about it? Here is why we think becoming a painter is a great choice for you.
Many companies are looking for employees to become painters. We, however, are looking for more than just painters. We aim to find what you are good at, hear your goals, and determine how your natural strengths can produce excellent results.
Where to apply to be a painter?
One of the downfalls of the painting trade is the difficulty of finding a place to learn properly unless you work for a union position. Everyone thinks they have a sense of humor, and everyone thinks they can paint. So, where do you start?
Like every other job, you start looking online for ads. Our ads for painters appear on Craigslist, Facebook, and Indeed. You should look at these ads just like you would dating someone.
- Where are they located?
- How much are they willing to pay?
- What type of benefits are there?
- How far will you have to travel?
- Will you have to purchase your tools to start?
- What type of training is there?
We hope potential employees ask these questions, as it shows their commitment to us. We are not looking for people only to earn a paycheck.
You can expect us to ask you some questions, too!
- What are your goals this year, next year, etc.?
- Our job is to provide a customer experience. Can you look past a list of tasks and see how to achieve results?
- We say three things: What will you do to be on time, on budget, and deliver excellence?
Other companies use other hiring sources, such as ZipRecruiter, but they are not in our budget, and we have not been fortunate enough to find the right people.
What does it take to be a painter?
Ask five painters what paint to use on a wall, and you will get five answers. What it takes to be a painter is also subjective to whom you want to work with. One of the issues is what type of painting you want to get into? There are many different types of painting:
- Exterior house painting
- Commercial painting
- Industrial painting
- Automotive painting
- Wood cabinets or woodworking paint and finishes
- Decorative painting (used to be called faux finishing)
- Artistic paintings such as murals
- Interior house painting
Each of these types of painting can be offered by one painting company. Some Painting companies offer specific, niche-type painting such as mural painting.
Our company, D’franco Painting & Wallpaper, offers several of the above types of paintings. Why? We have found that offering several types of paintings keeps us busy, especially when certain trends come and go. Take a listen to our recent podcast, where we interviewed one of our painters to share their experience here—WE ARE HIRING PAINTERS!
Since there are several styles of painting you can get into, training gets more difficult as well. Paint education schools are virtually nonexistent. Not long ago, we did not have a very good training program either. We have changed that due to conventions we’ve attended and the help of the PCA (Paint Contractors Association and Sherwin Williams. With a base outline of what to teach and how our training has taken big leaps. We are always improving how we train and what we train employees on because learning new things is fun and keeps us energized. We might just find that God-given talent you never knew you had.
How long will it take?
This depends on you. The basics of painting can be taught very quickly, but mastering how to hold that brush to make straight lines can take years. It is said that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert at anything. When you factor in the different types of painting we do, it could take a while for you to feel 100% comfortable becoming a good painter. You need practice!
Other factors will affect how long it will take you:
- Using different materials – each type of paint is a little different.
- Weather? Yep, temperature, humidity, etc., affect how paint is applied and how it dries.
- Tools – just like computers and iPhones- paint tools change. Brushes are always being changed, and each type of brush is different.
- Talent—Some techniques are easy to learn, and some require talent, such as using your left hand and your right.
Where can painting take me?
Being a painter is just one small part of a career in painting. You start as an apprentice and evolve to a painter and then a Lead painter. Moving from painting to being in charge of jobs and people is the next step as you become a crew leader. But it doesn’t have to stop there!
- Maybe you are good with people? Then, doing sales and estimating may fit your talents better.
- How about Marketing? Social media, designing emails, writing blog copy, developing flyers for paint stores, or sending postcards to customers?
- Maybe you can teach? Then, turn that skill into training new employees.
- Are you organized? This could lead you to project management!
- Maybe start doing podcasts or YouTube videos?
Where can I learn more about becoming a painter?
It is easy- send an email, give us a resume, call us and start a conversation. Go to Indeed and apply to our ad! You are a Google search away from a paint contractor looking for great people just like you who like to paint!
Email us right here: david@dfrancofinishes.com
