ICA School does a great job preparing students for a new career. But some things, you just can’t learn in class. They only come with time in the field and eventually mark you as a seasoned professional.
Some skills, you might already have. For example, maybe you’ve got the know-how and finesse to work well with challenging people. You’ll encounter some in your new line of work. And some, you might not learn until you’ve been on the job for a while.
Either way, the more you learn outside of class the better service you’ll provide your customers.
#1: Communication is a Learned Skill
Of course, you know how to hold a conversation. But are you comfortable talking on the phone and communicating in person? How about explaining a complicated system or material defect so the customer can understand technical terms?
What if a client is unhappy? Or what if you call on a real estate agent and find them in a rotten mood?
Communication skills separate great business people from the rest of the herd. If you’re nervous about talking, why not join a local Toastmasters club? It’s not just for business executives. They help people from all backgrounds become more effective, confident speakers. And meetings can also be fun!
#2: Quick Report Turn-Around Breeds Goodwill
You’ll learn business skills, including how to fill out a complete home inspection report, in the ICA School training program. To your customers, the report is the most important part of the job.
Timeliness, however, means everything. Just because you can take a day or two doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to wait.
Once you’re working in the industry, you’ll get a better understanding of the stress customers are under and why quick turn-around is so important. And you’ll also find out firsthand the effect that fast report turnaround and happy customers have on your likelihood of getting referrals.
#3: Going the Extra Mile Makes a Difference
Standards of Practice are all pretty much the same. They’re clear: inspections cover what’s visible and accessible. But when competition is tough, home inspectors learn quickly to take additional steps and go the extra mile. If you don’t, the other guy probably will.
Structure Tech inspections in Minnesota routinely do a little more, and their approach appears to pay off good dividends. For example, inspectors aren’t required to use combustible gas detectors. But the equipment investment could give you an edge.
Drones are another good example of what’s not required but can make you a home inspection hero. In the field, you’ll learn just how important having an edge can be.
#4: You Can Learn a Lot From Meetings and Peers
No home inspector is an island. Listening to and networking with industry professionals can open whole new worlds, especially for brand new home inspectors. That’s why so many people join an association, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors, also known as ASHI.
In school, you get an educational foundation that lets you get straight to work. But once you have your certification, association meetings and the people you’ll meet there will give you new ideas for marketing, business management, on-the-job techniques and new product insights.
Your studies are important, but some things you can only learn through real-world experience. Talking with an edgy customer helps you build better communication and problem-solving skills. Encountering unusual home systems or unexpected defects builds on your skill set.
Walt Disney said, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing things because we’re curious. And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” It’s those new paths that turn a fledgling home inspector into an experienced, industry pro.
If you’re ready to begin, Enroll now and start building a skill set that will serve you well. In just a few weeks, you could be on the job, honing those skills to perfection.
English