Advice On How To Go Above & Beyond During My First 2 Trail Days At A Reputable Arborculture Company

[508woodsman]

I am asking for suggestions on how to go above & beyond during my two trial days (next Tuesday & Wensdsy) at a very reputable Arborculture Company (it has benefits, insurance, support for furthering my education through schooling & certifications, and is basicly an all around 5 star elite proffesional company).

This is probably the best chance I have ever gotten to better myself & set forth on a road towards a proffesional career in Treework.

I had an interview & it went well, I told my potential boss that I am very new to treework but that I am very willing and motivated to learn.

I have two paid trail days next week, and one of the guys I have done groundsman work for before told me to study study study & go above & beyond and really demonstrate that I have a good brain on my shoulders and can work hard.

I have also been doing work for another Climber/Arborist who has taught me quite a bit and is even willing to take me on his crew for the duration of this 2018 treework season and teach me everything he knows, an informal apprenticeship.

There have also been two mentors in my life who were both veteran tree cutters & woodsmen, they taught me quite a bit as well.

I am in great shape, 150lbs, and 5'11". I have done a lot of free climbing for fun, but mainly train bridges, radio & water towers. I have also been an outdoorsman for my whole life.

Basicly I am confident that I have the capability & potential to work my way from the ground up, but this is crunch time.

I have been reading articles online, reviewing safety measures and hazard reduction, been practicing my knots (bowline knots, marling knots, etc.). I have been practicing at home & at my current job getting more comfortable with chainsaws (at work we have STHIL gas saws, at home I just have a crasftsman 14" 2.5 HP chainsaw, I got it cheap secondhand & have been using it to practice my bucking & felling cuts).

I know my hand signals, how to always keep an eye & maintain communication with the climber, Always look up, & I know how to efficiently chip downed leads & brush.

I've also gotten a bunch of books out at the local library on climbing , arborculture & climbing knots.

Are there any other suggestions anyone has to give me to excell on my 2 trial days?

Being hired by this company definitely gives me the potential to better myself & alter the course of my life for the better.

Any tips, suggestions and advice would be very much appreciated.

 

[ropensaddle]

Yeah relax , first off, don't try to impress just give them honest effort, show up 15 mins early not an hour and have your work boots , clothes on . If asked a question and you do actually know the answer, then answer, if not tell them so. Try not to appear overly anxious but do appear interested in learning.

Now wait 2 paid trial as ? Ground dude?

 

[508woodsman]

Thanks, yeah I'm gonna keep it real and not try to impress, i told the arborist who interviewed me straight off the bat that I am still pretty green to this type of work. I'll stay cool calm & collected, I guess I just gotta see it as another day of groundsman work at my current job. And 15 minutes early, that sounds good.

Yep, they're giving me 2 trail days doing groundwork, fine by me as I'm getting paid the same wages as my current gig.

Thanks Ropensaddle

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

What are "trail days"? Doing cleanup work on trails?

 

[508woodsman]

Trial*

 

[treebilly]

First day I’d be 30 minutes early just because I takes a few minutes to go over a few things before any thing else goes on. Introductions and such. Figure out what they want you to do first thing in the morning. My crew shows up 15 minutes before start time, puts personal stuff in the trucks, starts them and then go to clock in and get further instructions. We roll out within five minutes of our scheduled start time most days. On the job, figure out what is expected from you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what anyone is doing. Hopefully someone will give you an answer. Not only does this show interest but can help you learn their SOP.

 

[Rudedog]

Good luck. I wanted to post well wishes in your thread so I get notice when you report back with how things go for you. It's been a long time since I have auditioned for a new position. This sounds like a great opportunity for you.

 

[BC WetCoast]

1 Stay off your phone
2 If there is nothing going on, pick up a rake

 

[661Joe]

Good luck just be yourself and be honest about your skillset. Work your ass off stay safe.. please let us know how it goes. Joe

 

[508woodsman]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone, all you told me has been noted. Also, I am glad spelling is not a crucial skill in groundsman work, but i'm definitely going to use spellcheck next time I post. Trial days not Trail days, gotta watch out for those homophones.

 

[661Joe]

Talk to text always gets me

 

[Del_]

Two days isn't much time to show your stuff, and if you try it will likely not go over well.

Be sure to have wood chipper protocols down pat!

Pack a conservative lunch and your daily water.

If you have a hardhat and glasses that meet ANSI standards, take them. Bring good work gloves but not brand spanking new ones.

Don't wear your favorite Black Sabbath sweatshirt.

You are naturally going to be curious about things a highly trained tree crew do. As it sounds like you are going to be on a production crew those two days I suggest you not tie up personal with your curiosity. They've got stuff to do and maybe you can catch an explanation in the truck on the way home.

Keep your head down.

Show up only ten or fifteen minutes early. Management has lots to do in the morning and doesn't have time for a lot else. For instance the boss may have just found out that the jobs scheduled for the day are not working out as planned.

Take ribbing by the crew that you are a newby at this polished tree crew stuff. They are just trying to lay down a pecking order. Those lowest on the pecking may be the ones hardest on you. After you get on the crew you can work that out. Be humble like a monk. No spinning wheel kicks.

Keep your head down is worth repeating.

 

[jomoco]

Can you footlock n get around without gaffs?

Any good with a throwbag?

Jomoco

 

[661Joe]

Another good thing is to feel them out see what they're like see if they're all a bunch of stuck stuck up fake it till you make it types or if they really know there ****

 

[jomoco]

Big shots are an excellent bit of kit for any pro climber, particularly aspiring pro climbers!

Jomoco

 

[ropensaddle]

Thanks, yeah I'm gonna keep it real and not try to impress, i told the arborist who interviewed me straight off the bat that I am still pretty green to this type of work. I'll stay cool calm & collected, I guess I just gotta see it as another day of groundsman work at my current job. And 15 minutes early, that sounds good.

Yep, they're giving me 2 trail days doing groundwork, fine by me as I'm getting paid the same wages as my current gig.

Thanks Ropensaddle

Ok if doing ground work a few things will make you shine, as your asked to get something from the truck make a mental note of where and how its placed what has been taken off the truck etc. Nothing is worse than leaving gear behind and yup your gonna catch hell for it if it does. If your a great groundman you will keep the ground organized and know where everything is at ,at all times . If you know how and when to let a piece run and bring to a slow stop or run it to get it below the climber you will become invaluable! Obviously chipping and dragging brush is a given and you don't sound like your scared of work but don't be. You must learn when to get a piece and not dilly dally in the drop zone climbers are often in precarious positions and used energy to get there and hate waiting for you. If it sounds like us climbers are whinny sobs expecting you to kiss ass don't let it get you down because sometimes we are and sometimes we are just seeing wtf your made of! You also must learn to keep his rope tails untangled and out of the drop zone and drag zone we hate seeing you drag brush with the tail of our climb rope toward a chipper! When lowering limbs keep a good eye out for not hanging the piece up in forks on its way down and have a pruner pole and use the hook not the blade to pull it clear of crotches ,roofs etc. Don't expect to do all this in 2 days its merely arming you towards the goal of being a great groundy.If you see the piece will become lodged stop it way before it gets to that point and if there is another groundy hook it and pull clear before lowering. One thing, at the end of the day don't try to roll up the ropes unless specifically told to but be ready to cart them to the truck. Double and tripple check everything is put back where it goes let the boss know you have double checked and to your knowledge everything is back on the truck !

 

[ATH]

Some good advice already given. The few that occurred to me reading the OP:
1) Leave your "expertise" behind. Doesn't sound like there is anything there to be the reason they are hiring you. Not that the experience isn't important, but you even recognized you are not an expert. Instead, go in with a learning attitude.
2) If you want to advance in your career as a climber, the most important thing to learn is about trees. (at least in my opinion). Remember, the point is NOT to climb a tree. The point is to care for (or remove) the tree. Climbing is only the tool. Too many hacks out there that think because they have the ability to get into a tree (whether via climbing or, more often, with a bucket) that they should be trusted to care for the tree. So...even in the first 2 days, start learning about trees.
3) You don't need to show off, but decide that nobody is going to outwork you. Not only your first 2 days, but every day. Doesn't mean you are always running 100MPH...think more like the tortoise and the hare. Just don't quit moving forward. You can live 2 days without your phone. Make it easy and leave it in the truck.
4) Don't brag about your free climbing. Safety is a very, VERY high priority for most reputable companies. Not only being/acting safe, but more of a safety mindset. If I knew you were illegally) free climbing train bridges and water towers I'd have strong doubts about your safety mindset... It does sound fun, I'll admit that, but just sayn'...if you want them to have a picture of you, think about what you want them to include in that picture.
5) Respect others' property/tools. Whether the company's or the client's. Care for it like you just bought it and want to return it to the store when you are done, pretending like it was never used.
6) Have fun!!!

 

[ATH]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone, all you told me has been noted. Also, I am glad spelling is not a crucial skill in groundsman work, but i'm definitely going to use spellcheck next time I post. Trial days not Trail days, gotta watch out for those homophones.

Speaking of having fun...

I had to go back and look at your location. I would have guess the southeast, not northeast .... pronouncing trail and trial the same Most of us don't even use the same number of syllables, let alone same vowel sounds.

 

[ropensaddle]

Two days isn't much time to show your stuff, and if you try it will likely not go over well.

Be sure to have wood chipper protocols down pat!

Pack a conservative lunch and your daily water.

If you have a hardhat and glasses that meet ANSI standards, take them. Bring good work gloves but not brand spanking new ones.

Don't wear your favorite Black Sabbath sweatshirt.

You are naturally going to be curious about things a highly trained tree crew do. As it sounds like you are going to be on a production crew those two days I suggest you not tie up personal with your curiosity. They've got stuff to do and maybe you can catch an explanation in the truck on the way home.

Keep your head down.

Show up only ten or fifteen minutes early. Management has lots to do in the morning and doesn't have time for a lot else. For instance the boss may have just found out that the jobs scheduled for the day are not working out as planned.

Take ribbing by the crew that you are a newby at this polished tree crew stuff. They are just trying to lay down a pecking order. Those lowest on the pecking may be the ones hardest on you. After you get on the crew you can work that out. Be humble like a monk. No spinning wheel kicks.

Keep your head down is worth repeating.

Sabbath is one thing but don't show up like this or it's over before you start http://www.smosh.com/smosh-pit/photos/21-pics-guys-ridiculously-stupid-saggy-pants

 

[508woodsman]

Excellent advice, and fooling around with a smartphone is not kosher with any sort of employer, not a problem for me leaving it in the car.

Great point too that just because i can climb stuff doesn't make me a good tree worker, that is good to keep in mind.

Haha and I am aware the climber can get pissed off up in the tree, my current boss is awesome but anyone can get salty up in the tree cause its pretty exhausting as well as dangerous too.

I once climbed up a tree doing some DIY limb removal with a handsaw for a family friend, it was pretty hilarious watching him and his neihbor yelling at eachother from either side of thier fence (Remember the neibor in that show Home Improvement From the 90s anyone?), but I know it is extremely exhausting, the climber needs groundsman who are very efficient, SYNCHRONICITY is key.

The Turtle & The Hare analogy is great, and good point about mentioning that talking about illegal free climbing was not very prudent, my interviewer dug it though, he's probably less than 10 years older than me.

Organization & being aware of everything's proper place in the truck is a great pointer too.

Also, keeping my head down like a monk, another great point, the guys who mess with you at any job are usually testing you too see your tolerance for stress and probing for weak spots, they need to know they can rely on you, so I know the worst thing to do is get pissed off.

Thanks again everyone & keep the thread rolling, this is a good one, i'm sure a lot of other new visitors to this site will find it useful too.