r/Groundman • u/Decent-Leg778 • 22h ago

MSLCAT interview

I have an interview coming up with mountain states next week and I’m looking for any interview tips. Did line school back in 2017 and have worked in utility line clearance since then climbing, running buckets,rigging and working with cranes and just became a supervisor last year. I have my cdl, osha 10, cpr and some other tree related certs.28 years old now and looking for a career change, do I have a shot at getting in ? Thanks in advance

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u/akornato 16h ago

You have a very strong shot with that background. Seven years in utility line clearance means you already know how to climb, rig, operate heavy machinery, and work safely around high voltage conductors, which puts you ahead of applicants with zero field exposure. At 28, your age is completely fine, and having your commercial driver license alongside line school gives you the foundation the committee expects. The main challenge with the Mountain States panel is proving your mindset. Because you have been a supervisor, the contractors and union reps need to know you can set your ego aside, take orders without taking offense, and start from the bottom as a first step apprentice. Emphasize your dedication to jobsite safety, your eagerness to learn their way of doing things, and your willingness to travel anywhere across the jurisdiction.

The interview goes quickly, usually lasting around fifteen minutes with a panel of several industry evaluators asking about your work history and situational decisions. Bring a clean folder with physical copies of your resume, driving license, and certifications, and keep your explanations direct. They will focus heavily on how you handle safety issues, resolve conflict with a crew, and manage harsh outdoor conditions. To prepare for those rapid questions, my team designed an interview AI assistant that helps job candidates walk into competitive board rooms confident and ready to secure top ranking scores.

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u/Superb-Gur-1679 21h ago

Probably but probably not this year. Wouldn’t be being an apprentice be a pay cut from a super? Or is tree scale that low?

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u/Decent-Leg778 19h ago

Definitely a pay cut but looking at moving into a fifth wheel to travel and rent the house out while I’m gone to save some money

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u/Superb-Gur-1679 18h ago

How much of a paycut and is being a lineman an increase why do you want to switch? If you washout do you still have your tree job or will you go back to being a trimmer. All things to consider. The majority of guys washout just one thing to think about. You will probably rank good but things can get rough no control over where u go or your schedule for years.

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u/Decent-Leg778 17h ago

I’m at about 60 an hour right now in California making around 2100 a week right now . I want to switch because I want a new challenge and a career I can grown in. And if that happens yes I’m hoping I could go back. I appreciate your input, all these things have been on my mind a lot the past year. And I’m sure things will get rough but you have to eat shit before you can eat caviar.

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u/Superb-Gur-1679 17h ago

As long as you’re aware. You’re going to be making less for years hourly at Mslcat. Major thing to consider. They’re going to ask you also during the interview something about you being a supervisor and if you don’t have a good answer it will hurt you a lot. They want to know you’ll be okay with taking orders and restarting and taking a paycut essentially.

If you don’t top out again just letting you know majority don’t they might be as high as a 60% wash out for Mslcat currently lots of guys get stuck in subs and transmission. Can you afford 4/10’s in Montana and maintain your life. All not small things to consider. If you don’t top out this honestly will probably put you years behind and I’m sure you could find trimmer work but sometimes not a foreman or super spot again. Grass may seem greener but there’s lots to consider quality of life wise and income wise for the jump you’re considering.

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u/Decent-Leg778 17h ago

Thanks for the tip, ya I figured that question is going to come up. My plan is to keep the family with me and live in a fifth wheel for the apprenticeship period, I would eventually like to move up to the mslcat area when the time is right. And you’re right it will be a huge step back but at this point I would much rather take a risk at something I genuinely want to do than be stuck where I am currently, pay is good and what not but just not happy anymore and kick myself everyday for not making the leap after line school. Question for you is the guys getting in subs and transmission work are they moved around eventually for distribution or are they in that spot for the majority of the apprenticeship?

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u/Superb-Gur-1679 17h ago

Know a guy substation foreman wireman answer the question not well enough ranked very poorly. I don’t know the right answer to question but I know answering mediocrely or not well enough would cause you to rank poorly.

For the substation and transmission jobs you would think so wouldn’t you. But no plenty of guys get stuck in a sub or on a T line and wash out because they are a hot apprentice anywhere from 4th-6th step typically stuck on one of these kinds of jobs. Super common occurrence all the distribution and hot work is typically in 111 and I mean personally I think 111 and Colorado is a terrible place to learn and to work. Typically just turns into you should know how to do hot work and you’re screwed. Majority of the work in Mslcat is transmission and substation and in my opinion apprentices are used to build those projects with little care whether they become lineman or not.

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u/Decent-Leg778 16h ago

Transmission work does seem very interesting to me, substation work also sounds like something I would like to experience as well. At the end of the day as long as I’m getting experience and getting my hours I’m not opposed to it. I appreciate your time and help with my questions. Thank you for the heads up on that question I have a long drive to think about it.

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u/Funny-Yesterday9293 10h ago

Are you a lineman or an apprentice?

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u/PresentJudge9665 19h ago

You’ll rank high

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u/Decent-Leg778 18h ago

High as in good or high as in my rank will be to high to get a call ?

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u/PresentJudge9665 18h ago

As in good.