If you’ve been laid off, furloughed, or are just ready for a career change but don’t know where to start, this is the article for you. Chances are you’ve spent your career learning new things and honing your skills but may not be sure that they’ll be able to help you on your journey to becoming a successful home inspector or licensed contractor.
They are. You may not need a formal interview process in order to become a home inspector (hello, owning your own business!) but just because you’re not writing a resume doesn’t mean that you won’t need to communicate with potential clients about the chops you have. You’re not starting from scratch.
Whether you’re a firefighter, real estate agent, or business owner, there are transferable skills that will help you hit the ground running during your career as a home inspector. The training and investment to becoming the best you can be don’t get wiped out when you start a new career, but rather, offer a solid foundation to flourish during a career pivot.
Careers with Transferrable Skills
Here are careers that lend themselves to becoming a licensed home inspector or contractor.
- Real estate agents. You already know homes inside and out, literally. You know what to advise clients to look for as potential money pits, and you know what you’d want to see in a home inspector since you’ve already worked so closely with them. You already have the communication skills necessary to advise clients on whether or not they’re making a sound investment through real estate. Don’t lose the real estate agent charm when you become a home inspector. Your new clients will want candor, authenticity, and directness when they’re working with you. The hustle and grit that it takes to market yourself as a real estate agent is the same hustle and grit that it takes to succeed as a licensed home inspector. Rely on your network (and networking skills) when switching careers.
- Firefighters/EMTs/Police Officers. Deescalating a tense situation? That comes second nature to you. You’ll need to utilize that calm and steadfast demeanor during your tenure as a home inspector. The nature of the job means giving people news they may not want to hear, but your job is to communicate that information as calmly and as straightforwardly as possible. The emotional skills you learned while in public service will absolutely be needed while a home inspector.
- Entrepreneurs. It doesn’t matter what kind of business you’ve owned, if you can handle the accounting, marketing, sales, and time management that it takes to run your own business, then you’re ready to become a home inspector. Planning and organizing your day to include traveling to the client’s location, actually inspecting the property, preparing reports, and communicating with your clients are all tasks you’re used to handling on your own anyway. You also need to take care of administrative duties, accounts, responding to emails, and building your business.
- Retired military. Leadership? Ability to perform under pressure? Integrity? Yea you already have all of those skills. Compared to active combat, home inspection will be a breeze. You’re probably already used to cramped spaces, heat, and getting dirty on the job. You also know a thing or two about getting a job done effectively and efficiently.
Changing careers can be overwhelming, but you already have the skills to be successful. Home inspection may be hard work, but with the right resources, the right network, and the right knowledge, it is incredibly rewarding, both financially and emotionally. Emotional intelligence and soft skills are always in demand, regardless of the career. While your career doesn’t define you, knowing what you’re good at and what you don’t like to do are valuable to know what career to choose next.
ICA is the nation’s most trusted home inspection school. If you’re thinking about starting your career as a home inspector, we’d love to help you get started. After you become licensed, we’re here to help you, too. Edcetera Home Inspection is the perfect resource for actually starting and growing your business. Your membership includes courses on business management, new technical skills that you may not have encountered on the job yet, and marketing and networking courses.
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