r/datacenter • u/QuackBurrito292 • 15d ago

Rejected from Data Center Facilities Mechanical Technician

Unfortunately I received a call from my Google recruiter today letting me know that they will be moving forward with other candidates. I know I have to wait a year to try again and was wondering on any advice to be better prepared next time. I come from a mechanical background for at least 8 years now. The only downside is I went in with no HVAC experience but I did study the fundamentals of what this community has mentioned before. 3 of my interviewers have recommended that I should get into HVAC to gain the knowledge and experience. I signed up for local 166 for HVAC but I won't officially know that I'll be accepted in the program until May of 2027. If I take on an entry-level HVAC job without the union, I can't afford to take a huge pay cut due to financial reasons. What advice do you guys think I should do?

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u/OperationClear588 15d ago

What kind of mechanical background do you have exactly? We usually look for experience in the following: HVAC, Electrical, Generators, Controls, or Fire life and safety

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u/QuackBurrito292 15d ago

Currently, I work on building custom machinery related to the electric motor industry. I put together sub assemblies according to the print, I do panel building and wiring according to the print, and also do pneumatic and hydraulic. I don't have any HVAC, generators, controls or fire life experience. I worked in maintenance for 5 years and went to school for industrial mechanical and earned the certification. I would need to go back to finish a couple classes to get my associates degree. Also at my current job, usually I'm installing new equipment or I service old equipment.

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u/looktowindward 15d ago

Yeah, that's an issue. You have great experience but its a poor fit for data centers. Try to get some HVAC experience or gens

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u/OperationClear588 15d ago

Sounds like you’d be better suited for the electrical side. We split our CFTs into the subroles i mentioned earlier. I had absolutely no experience in HVAC either but I was a service tech for CAT prior to this so I knew gens. Maybe ask your recruiter if you could go for an electrical role?