Four ways field service technicians can land more work in 2022

2022 is a big year for field service.

The industry is experiencing a huge spike in demand for skilled labor, which means that many technicians are in a position to take on as much work as they want. Whether you work full-time as an independent contractor or use the Field Nation app to pick up extra work from time to time, there is more than enough work to go around.

There are a ton of things you can do to attract the attention of service companies looking for on-demand technicians. After analyzing our platform data, we’ve assembled a list of the top four things that technicians can do to boost the number of jobs they get through Field Nation.

Get drug and background tests

Technicians with a recent background and drug tests (taken within the last 12 months) get two times more work orders and make twice as much money as those without.

Background checks/drug tests are usually site dependent and are required based on who the end client is. Sites like hospitals, schools, and government buildings are common examples of places that require screenings.

If you’re considering upgrading to Field Nation Pro, it’s worth noting that Pro technicians receive one free background check and drug test (a $75+ value) after requesting just one work order.

Fine-tune your timeliness

It goes without saying that showing up on time is important. But it’s also important not to show up too early. While it might be tempting to get to a worksite 20+ minutes early to scope everything out, this early arrival can throw the buyer’s schedule out of whack and leave a bad impression.

Think of it like you’re timing a trip to the dentist: arriving 20 minutes before the appointment is too early, but 5-10 minutes beforehand is just right. Fine-tuning your timeliness and consistently hitting this sweet spot will result in higher satisfaction levels, higher ratings, and more work.

When timeliness is of the utmost importance, buyers can attach a “Hard Start” label to work orders. After completing 5 Hard Start work orders, a Timeliness Score will be visible on your profile, which will catch buyers’ attention.

Get an EIN

An Employee Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number assigned by the IRS that’s used to identify a business entity. It’s not necessary to use an EIN if you’re contracting work through Field Nation (you can also just use your social security number) but there are several benefits to using one. Perhaps most importantly, it can help you get more work: some businesses that use Field Nation, especially enterprise companies, require proof that you operate as a business in order to assign you work. Using an EIN is a fast, free, and easy way to help meet that requirement.

Showcase your strengths

As we mentioned at the top, there’s a huge spike in demand hitting the field service industry. This is spread over virtually every type of work, but some types of work are more in demand than others. Work related to point-of-sale (POS) systems, digital signage, networking, and low-voltage cabling is in particularly high demand. (Check out our Definitive guide to field service trends in 2022 for a more detailed breakdown.)

If you have specific skillsets or certifications, call them out in your profile! Be specific! Low-voltage cabling certifications (which vary by state) and Cisco certifications are always in high demand. This helps buyers find you and builds confidence in your field service experience.