RDO Equipment Co.'s growth creates all kinds of opportunities within our organization.
For talented heavy equipment technicians with experience fixing large construction and agriculture machinery, these opportunities take the form of advanced technician roles, management opportunities and jobs as field service technicians.
The field service technician role is very important to our success.
While these jobs are commonly pursued by technicians in our organization (their experience, certifications and training make them great candidates), we also hire externally for these roles.
If you’re considering applying to become a field service technician at RDO, it’s important you know what to expect — particularly over your first 90 days. This will help you feel more comfortable applying and ready for a successful start.
Your First 30 Days as a Field Service Tech
Your first 30 days as a field service technician will change depending on whether you’re a new or existing team member.
As an existing team member with RDO, the transition from the shop to the field should be relatively straightforward.
You will spend your first four or so weeks familiarizing yourself with your new routine — how to communicate with customers out in the field, how your truck is organized, how to touch base with the shop when needed, how to become efficient at this work, etc.
However, if you’re brand new to the organization, your first 30 days will look slightly different.
In this scenario, new hire field service techs will spend their first few days (up to a week) reviewing onboarding materials and completing safety and workplace training. Your manager will be heavily involved in this process.
Once onboarding is complete, we’ll ease you into your new position. Though it varies, this will likely include manufacturer training, some job shadowing, training with your manager and introductions to RDO’s processes.
Even if you’re an experienced technician, learning RDO’s processes, procedures and products will take time.
Over your first 30 days, we’ll make sure you’re ready for a successful career as a field service technician in our organization by answering your questions and giving you the support you need to do your job efficiently.
Related Article: How to Become a Field Service Technician
Days 31-90 As a Field Service Technician
Over the next 60 days, you’ll begin to hit your stride.
While there will be hiccups along the way, at this point, field service technicians begin to settle into their jobs over this period.
After meeting with your manager in the morning to touch on your workload, check on parts availability and prepare for the day, you’ll hit the road toward your first repair job.
Since you’ll still be early in this new role (and maybe to the company), our shop leaders will do their best to make sure the jobs you’re assigned are manageable for you.
Expect to perform 2-5 jobs per day (depending on the time of year). Most of them won’t be extensive repairs, but some might require more attention.
Over this period, you’ll have at least one one-on-one meeting with your manager per month and a review each quarter.
What’s Expected of You During Your First 90 Days as a Field Service Tech?
Starting a new job can be stressful, even if you’ve been working for RDO for years. Getting used to your new routine will take a while and you’ll have questions along the way.
More than anything else, we expect our field service technicians to work hard and ask for help when they need it during their first 90 days on the job.
This period is when we lay the groundwork for your successful career, that’s why it’s also expected that you ask a lot of questions as you ease into this role.
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Keys to Success in Your First 90 Days as a Field Service Technician
We’ve been hiring field service technicians (both internally and externally) for decades. Over the years, we’ve discovered these are the four main keys to success in the first 90 days of this job:
1) Stay Positive
There are a lot of elements out of your control as a field service technician. Be it the weather, the distance you have to drive to a job, the type of equipment that needs to be fixed or any mix of things, you will get frustrated at some point. That said, the most successful new field service techs can work through these emotions to keep a positive attitude throughout their day.
2) Practice Good Time Management
When you’re out in the field, it’s your responsibility to manage your time correctly. This can be a learning experience for techs who haven’t worked in this job before. Make sure to use your time well, by performing repairs safely, efficiently and arriving on time to each location. Try to give yourself more than enough time to get from one job to another.
3) Ask a Lot of Questions
When in doubt, ask somebody. During your first 90 days (and beyond) in this new job, there will be a lot of things you don’t know. To be successful going forward, you have to be comfortable asking your manager or a trusted coworker for help or clarification when you need it.
4) Be a Good Communicator
Communication is crucial in this position. As a field service technician, you’ll be the primary representative from RDO out in the field. This means you’ll need to be a good communicator when speaking to customers, hearing their concerns and explaining what work needs to be done. Additionally, communicating with your manager or coworkers back at the shop is an important part of this.
Hit the Ground Running as an RDO Equipment Co. Field Service Technician
Our goal for your first 90 days is to make you comfortable and confident in this new role. Like any new job, our team will ease you into the field service technician role and support you as much as you need during these 90 days and beyond them.
For some more insights into what it’s like to work at RDO as a field service tech, read Working as a Field Service Technician at RDO Equipment Co.: Pros, Cons and Considerations.
If you’re feeling comfortable with what to expect in this role and confident it’s a good fit for you, find an opening in your area now. We’re excited to have you join our innovative service team that keeps America growing!
Greg Wiest
Greg started his career with RDO in the fall of 2010 when he joined the organization as a service manager in Minot, ND. Today, Greg is RDO’s Western ND field service operations manager, overseeing field service team members in Minot, Williston, Dickinson and Bismarck. Helping customers succeed through word-class service and watching his team grow is what Greg enjoys most about his work.
