What To Expect in Your First 90 Days as a Service Technician at RDO Equipment Co.

Starting a new job can be nerve-wracking. Even if everything has gone well, it’s natural to have some nerves leading up to your start date. 

We’re happy you’re interested in joining RDO Equipment Co. as a service technician. 

We know this has been a big decision. 

Our service technicians are the backbone of our business and we’re constantly investing in their training, growth and career success.

To help you feel more comfortable, whether you’ve already accepted a job, are approaching an interview or are just beginning to weigh your options, we break down the first 90 days in this role.

What Will Your First 30 Days Be Like as an RDO Service Technician?

At RDO, we understand how crucial onboarding is to your success. 

Although it varies slightly by location, your first 30 days will be an introduction to the people and processes here. Don’t expect to do many solo repairs over these 30 days. 

Instead, we’ll ease you into the mix while you. . . 

• Complete RDO workplace, culture and safety training (typically during your first week)
• Meet with your manager to cover expectations and your schedule
• Meet the people you’ll be working with every day
• Get accommodated with your workplace and day (the shop, the location, where everything is, where to park, where to eat, etc.)
• Start working through manufacturer (John Deere, Vermeer, etc.) and company product training.
  

Your first 30 days are structured to set you up for a successful long-term career at RDO. While you may not be performing as many solo repairs as you’d like, expect to do a lot of learning, shadowing and observing over this period. 

What Will Days 31-90 Be Like as a Service Technician?

The pace will begin to pick up a bit for you from your second month through the end of your first 90 days. At this point, you should have completed all of your onboarding materials and may even have started with product training. 

At this point, service technicians start performing minor repairs and assisting on larger ones. Over this period, you will also start to feel comfortable with RDO’s internal processes. This includes: 

• How to write up a work order
• How to document work performed
• What metrics we use to measure efficiency
• Where to find and use specialty tooling
• Who to ask questions 
• How to open cases with a manufacturer
• How to leverage support departments and resources
  

During this time, you will have at least two more one-on-one meetings with your manager. Use these opportunities to check in on how your onboarding is going, raise any concerns you have and ask questions. This is also when you’ll likely have your first career-path discussion.

Depending on the location, you may work on equipment from John Deere Agriculture, John Deere Construction, Wirtgen, Vermeer and/or Topcon. Equipment from these manufacturers is unique and constantly changing. 

As such, you will receive in-depth product training over this period. This training will continue throughout your tenure at RDO. 

Regarding schedule, expect to work a standard 40-hour week while you get going. 

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What’s Expected of You During Your First 90 Days?

Your first 90 days will be spent learning RDO’s systems, processes, people, culture, and products. 

Our hope is that you clock out from your 90th day feeling confident in these things and your role in our organization. 

Sure, we will expect you to use your skills as a technician regularly and start becoming an efficient member of the shop. 

However, it’s also important that you’re asking questions, lending a helping hand and actively engaging in training. 

At the end of your first 90 days, we expect that you: 

• Have an understanding of the process for performing repairs
• Have a good relationship with your coworkers and management
• Actively participate in your growth as a technician
• Have an intermediate understanding of the unique technology, systems and components of the equipment we repair
• Understand how to troubleshoot and perform standard repairs on a variety of equipment
• Understand our internal processes for documenting work

Keys to Success in Your First 90 Days

Beyond using your skills as a technician, being successful over your first 90 days means leaning into your “newbie-ness.”

While you will be supported every step of the way, and we have a good roadmap for ensuring you’re successful, the technicians who make the most of their first 90 days are those who. . . 

• Ask a ton of questions — there are no bad ones
• Actively engage in training and development
• Take interest in what other technicians are doing and why
• Develop relationships with their coworkers and management
• Aren’t afraid to make mistakes and feel comfortable to approach your manager when this happens 
  

More than anything, keeping a positive attitude every day will make your first 90 days successful. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t know something, starting a new job isn’t easy, we’ve all been there. 

Your Next Step Towards Success at RDO

The first 90 days at a new company is always an adjustment. At RDO, we aim to make this as easy as possible by filling your first weeks with training, shadowing, learning opportunities and manager assistance. You also won’t be asked to perform complex repairs until you’re comfortable.

As long as you start each day with a positive attitude and aren’t afraid to ask questions, you’ll have a successful start here. 

As you consider a role here, you may also wonder what a typical day looks like as a service technician. Read A Day in the Life of a Service Technician at RDO Equipment Co. for an overview of what you can expect.

Finally, if you haven’t already, check out our open service technician opportunities near you.