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What you do every day

This is an ideal career for a creative thinker. You first look at any plans provided for the job before making your own measurements. When you are satisfied you understand the scope of the job, you clean and prepare the surface for the tiles. Some jobs will require you to fill any holes and cracks on the area being tiled or extend to the removal of old tiles or floor coverings, grout, cement and adhesive. Using the correct adhesives and/ or mortar, you will place the tiles, making sure if there is any patterns that the layout needs to match. You use a tile cutting tool to cut the tiles to the shapes needed to go around corners and for edging. While placing the tiles you will ensure they are evenly spaced and level. You will have to prepare and apply grout, cleaning and polishing the tiles to finish your job.

Personality that best fit this career

As a tiler you will need to enjoy all aspects of manual work. Your ability to make simple calculations and your hand eye co-ordination need to be of a high standard. You will take pride in working very neatly and accurately. You will be able to work independently and unsupervised when necessary. You are naturally a creative thinking person.

Best thing about this career

Tiling offers great variety – no two jobs or locations are the same. You get to meet many different people from many different backgrounds. You have the opportunity either to be self-employed or to work for somebody. Being self-employed means you get to name the hours and days that you will work. You get the satisfaction of seeing your finished project and the client’s happiness with a job well done to their requirements.

Worst thing about this career

There is a lot of bending and kneeling in this occupation. You will have to carry the tiles and other materials required to each area of your work. You will move to different locations for work. At times you may have work long hours.