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Job interviews are always nerve-racking. There's a lot of pressure to perform your very best and show off your skills so that the interviewer shortlists you for the job. Welding, in particular, requires a very specific set of skills, and you need to come prepared for the job interview to show off these skills. Here are four secrets to acing your welding interview so you can land your dream job:

Know the Company

The key to any successful job interview is preparation and research. Learn about the company you are interviewing with by taking a look at their website and reviewing their ratings online. Be able to answer basic questions about what the company does and how welding fits into the company's business.

Study the Job Description

Find out specifics about the job, such as what type of welding processes you'll be asked to do, by studying the job posting. Make sure you are not only familiar with these processes but also prepared with stories about how you have used these processes in training or at your current or previous welding jobs. Be prepared to answer questions about your training and experience with specific welding processes. For example, be able to answer questions like "What is turnkey integration?" and "What's the difference between MIG and TIG welding?".

Rehearse Your Answers

While you won't know exactly what the interviewer is going to ask, it helps to practice your answers to some basic interview questions, such as "Tell me about yourself" or "How do you deal with working under pressure?". With the first question, you have the opportunity to pitch to the interviewer why you are the best candidate. Emphasize your strengths, work ethic, training, experience, and anything else that might be applicable to the job. The interviewer might ask you other questions about your temperament, working with others, and safety habits. Make sure you have strong answers to all of these questions. In addition, prepare some questions for the interviewer about the company and the job to show your interest and preparation.

Dress the Part and Bring Your Materials

Come to the interview dressed for the job. Instead of a suit, wear work gear like a long sleeve shirt, heavy-duty pants, and quality work boots. Since you are likely to be tested in your interview, your clothes should be protective and comfortable to work in. Make sure you bring the necessary materials and equipment to do some welding, such as work gloves, a helmet, grinders, weld treatment, and whatever else is necessary for the specific welding processes. While welding is an in-demand skill, you still need to prepare for the interview to increase your chances of landing your dream job.   What are you waiting for? Advanced Career Institute is ready to help you get started with your welding career. Check out our welding blog posts and contact us today for more information!

In celebration of National Ag Day on March 20th, let's give a nod of appreciation to the Ag Transporters who do the hard work within the industry. If you are curious about the job and considering joining the ranks, you should definitely ask these three important questions...

What is Ag Transportation?

Ag Transportation is the community of men and women who drive the country's farm-fresh food from where it's grown to wherever it needs to go. Advanced Career Institute's training will give you all the skills needed to learn the basics of truck driving. Students will also learn how to transport the important agricultural products grown in California.

What is the importance of Ag Transportation?

Truck drivers transport around 500 million tons of grain produced in the US every single year. California's farms and ranches produce over one-third of those vegetables and two-thirds of the fruits and nuts for this country. The most efficient system for transporting these fresh and healthy goods are the highways and truck drivers of the state. Goods often need to be transported more than once before they reach their final destination. Those that do these important jobs of ensuring the quality and safe delivery of these products are Ag Transporters.

What are the benefits of being an Ag Transporter?

The benefits of being an Ag Transporter are vast. Ag Transporters are the first point of contact for receiving and transporting the agricultural products and livestock vital to the food industry. All you need to qualify is a high school diploma and the CDL Certification we provided with our 20-week Ag Transportation training. It's also important to consider that the current future outlook for work as a truck driver is extremely promising. As a Ag Transporter, you will have several job opportunities with competitive pay and great benefits. Are you interested in joining the Ag Transportation field? Advanced Career Institute can help you get started! Contact us today to learn more about our training options and the opportunities available for you.

Updated with the most recent information March 2020 In honor of International Women's Day on March 8th, Advanced Career Institute would like to acknowledge the hard work and pioneering spirit of some of the trucking industry's most notable women. These bold and determined ladies paved the way for those to come, transforming the entire industry in the process. Women still only make up around 5% of the trucking workforce, but that number is steadily climbing as more women rise to the challenge and earn their Commercial Driver's License (CDL).

Trailblazing Women

Luella Bates (1897-1985) was the pioneer who first showed the world what women could do behind the wheel. During WWII, she stepped into a traditionally male job to fill the vacancies left by the war. Luella was such an excellent truck driver that she stayed on after the war ended, outperforming her male counterparts. Next came Lillie Drennan (1897-1974), with her 10-gallon hat and loaded revolver, she was quite an intimidating figure. She became the first licensed female truck driver, and the first woman to own her own fleet. Lillie was also a staunch advocate for gender and racial equality. She personally hired and trained her diverse and exceptionally safe workforce. Adriesue "Bitsy" Gomez (1943-2015) followed in their footsteps. Bitsy formed the Coalition of Women Truck Drivers to combat the pervasive sexism in trucking culture. Through victories in the courts and successful public relations campaigns, Bitsy helped break-down the barriers that were keeping women out of trucking.

How Has Trucking Changed for Women

• Recruiting more women – Trucking companies are making big changes to attract female drivers. Carriers are offering more practice time in truck driving simulators, female driver liaisons, internal support groups, and classes on sexual harassment awareness and self-defense.
• Support Networks – Organizations such as Women In Trucking and REAL Women in Trucking, Inc provide support, job listings, and the opportunity to connect with other female truck drivers.
• Female-friendly trucks – Ryder System Inc. has redesigned their cabs to be more ergonomic or women, with adjusted seat height and more accessible placement of handles and gauges.

Some Challenges for Women in Trucking

• Safety challenges: Pay extra attention to where you’re stopping and walking at night, whether at truck stops or in remote areas. Don’t roll down your window for anyone other than police or someone you know. Focus on safe driving and your employers will value you for keeping yourself, along with their equipment and loads, safe.
• Interpersonal issues: Women may face criticism from co-workers or loading dock personnel. Don’t be daunted by bad attitudes. Let respect received equal respect given. Ignore disrespect and laser-focus on the work, and your job at hand–and don’t let others blow your cool.
• Staying connected to family and friends: Staying in touch is easier with today’s tech. Use Skype or Facetime to have video chats at stops. Send regular text updates (which help with safety concerns, too). Schedule time at home for work/life balance.

Why Women Should Obtain a CDL

Thanks to women like Luella, Lillie, and Bitsy, the trucking industry now welcomes female drivers. Young women just entering the workforce, or those who find themselves job-searching after a lifestyle change (such as divorce, empty nest, or job loss), may consider trucking as a possibility. Forward-thinking companies recognize this trend and are doing more to recruit and retain female truckers. Truck manufacturers are redesigning cabs and other equipment to accommodate the typically smaller frames of women, leading to greater comfort and less risk of injury. Women in trucking also have a strong support network, meaning they no longer have to face obstacles and hardships alone. Now is the perfect time for women to take charge and get behind the wheel. It takes a lot of grit and toughness to succeed as a commercial truck driver, but thanks to the bold female drivers of the past, we know women can do it just as well as men can. Are you ready to earn your CDL? Advanced Career Institute is ready to help make that happen!

Welding is one of the most intimidating trades at first glance, but once you really delve into the facts, it's worth the effort to learn. If you're thinking of beginning training as a welder, there are few key facts to be aware of before stepping into the classroom.

Metallurgy: There is Always More to Learn

Metallurgy is the study of metals and their properties which will be what you primarily learn for welding. Due to the existence of over a hundred metals, there are plenty of different welding procedures and processes to learn. These facts alone make having humility as a welder a necessity. Welding as a whole, is constantly changing. Keeping an open mind and willingness to constantly learn will only benefit you in your welding career.

Thousands of Job Opportunities

There are always openings for experienced welders, but the only way to gain experience is typically by obtaining a welding certificate. The reason for this is because each job requires a performance test. Within this test, you must showcase your welding skills and knowledge. Since you need to learn all that you can about welding in order to pass any performance test, you'll need to obtain a certificate in a specific type of welding. With a certificate in hand, jobs across the country and around the world become available. Not to mention, your salary becomes boundless. Having so many opportunities at your fingertips makes going without a job even in a recession next to impossible.

Don't Be Afraid to Fail

Failure is a part of learning. No matter what knowledge you seek to obtain, you shouldn't expect to be perfect right at the start. A lot of trial and error is required to master any technique. Since you'll never know everything there is to know about welding, failure is something you'll have to accept. While you may be brilliant while in a welding class, being on the job site is a completely different game. Just remember to be consistent. Let your work speak for itself, and keep in mind, if at first you don't succeed, try again.   While welding isn't an easy career, it doesn't take as long as other options to gain a certificate. If you're interested in gaining the opportunity to travel, make more money, and learn new information, contact Advance Career Institute and let us help you get started on a new career in welding.

Have you been thinking about a career in welding, but want to be sure it's right for you?  Have you been looking at educational options, but don't know the right school for you?  Advanced Career Institute is ready to be your answer. 2018 is the perfect time for you to begin your welding career journey.  Let's take a look at five reasons why you should begin taking the steps to become a professional welder.

1. There are jobs in this growing field

   According to the Bureau Labor of Statistics, the projected 10 year growth potential is 4% per year.  With nearly 400,000 open jobs in welding in the U.S. today, you can rest assured the demand for your new skills will remain high.  As more jobs seem to be outsourced and automated, it's comforting to know that welders will continue to serve as a necessary requirement for manufacturing and other industries, across America.

2. The starting pay and financial growth opportunities are promising

   In California, the average annual salary for a professional welder is close to $40,000.00 per year!  As you gain more experience and perfect your trade, you'll have the ability to increase your pay--some welders earn as much as $66,000 or more.

3. You enjoy working outside on a full-time basis, and are excited for a challenge

   Once you've completed your training and start your first job, you can expect to work 40 hours per week, with possible over-time.  Companies are in need of your skills! If you don't love the sunshine and working in outdoor conditions, this probably isn't the right career for you.  On the flip side, if you enjoy fresh air, hard work, and the challenge of meeting project deadlines--you're going to love what your new welding job offers.

4. Quality training will make you outperform others in the field

   Advanced Career Institute offers one of the best programs in California, and has three locations to serve residents.  As a welding student with Advanced Career Institute, you'll receive both classroom and hands-on training, and they cater to the non-traditional or working student.  If you haven't taken a look at ACI as a potential training provider, it's time to get serious about your future.

5. You can complete welding training in as little as 24 weeks

   Advanced Career Institute offers two programs designed to get you in your new job in as little time as possible.  The Welding Technology program is the shortest program, lasts 24 weeks, and is offered at their Visalia and Fresno campuses.  The Advanced Welding Technology program is available at the same campuses, and takes an additional 12 weeks to complete.  Shift your career into high gear with welding training.

What are you waiting for?  Now is the perfect time to get started in a professional field that's going to work for you.  Welding offers quality pay, a strong outlook for the future, and growth opportunities. Advanced Career Institue is ready to help you get started. Contact us today for more information!

Updated October 2022 Managing finances can seem overwhelming when you are away from home. Staying organized does not have to be a source of additional stress. There are several ways to manage your money better while still on the move. Here are a few tips to start the New Year off strong by staying organized with your finances.

Make a List

In order to manage money well, you have to know how much is coming in versus how much is going out. Take the time to create a list that includes the date each bill is due, the date deposits are made, and any expenses for food, clothing, or other necessities.

Bank Better

Not all banks are created equal, and for that reason, it is important to do research and choose one that meets your individual needs. Choose a bank or a credit union that offers free checking services, low or refunded ATM fees, and mobile banking options so you can track and manage your account from anywhere. A good bank should also have no minimum balance requirements or limit the number of transactions you can make. Since you will likely be away from home, banks with a great Mobile App will be especially beneficial.

Consolidate

If you have multiple checking, savings, or credit card accounts, now is the time to consider consolidating. Having multiple accounts only makes it harder to keep track of what you owe, when it was paid, and through which account. As a bonus, this can also save you money. You can choose to keep the accounts with the lowest fees and interest rates.

Take Advantage of Technology

Free apps, like Mint and Rocket Money, are available and make staying organized a breeze. You can keep all of your financial information in one place and can access it from your mobile device. Not only can you pay bills through these apps, but also get notifications and reminders for any bill that is not set up on auto-pay. These apps can also help you set up a monthly budget and give you an analysis of your spending trends, so you can see where to save money. They can also be a great place to organize all of your different subscriptions. Taking the time to manage your money better is a great resolution. Knowing you are organized will give you that peace of mind while on the road. It might just save you some money as well!

At Advanced Career Institute, we are proud to offer training in the transportation and welding industry. If you're ready to make a career change, contact us for more more information!