take note:
- Great earning potential
- Flexible hours
Industry:
Customer service / Installation and repair
Expected wage:
$7-$11 an hour, possibly more as experience and skill level dictate.
Extra perks:
There is paid training that you can use in the real world. Wouldn't it be nice to know if a mechanic is trying to stick it to you, or even better, if you could save loads of cash by maintaining and fixing your vehicle on your own?
Celebrity sighting:
Ten years ago, do you think the casts of MTV's "Pimp my Ride" and Discovery's "American Chopper" were performing Shakespeare in the Park? Or working under classic cars and leather-studded, hip-hugging Harleys? We hope we don’t need to ask. Who would have ever thought that a knack for loosening up lug nuts would be a better fast track to stardom than acting lessons? Americans are obsessed with cars, trucks and motorcycles, as well as the men and women who soup up and superpower them.
Similar positions:
Auto Mechanic, Lube Technician, Service Technician, Automotive Technician
Examples:
Auto Technician
Job in about 50 words:
If you don't mind the smell of 5W-30 in the morning and you took apart (and put back together) your clock radio when you were just 5 years old, there could be a spot for you under the hood of someone's 1997 Mercury Tracer. You could be performing oil changes on the ground floor, or diagnosing power steering failures or why that darn horn won't toot.
Job skills/requirements:
The good news is that your training will teach you everything you need to know to succeed on the job. But here are a few skills you should have from the get-go, as well as some requirements:
- Customer service savvy: Odds are that if someone's car is being serviced, then they're not in a good mood, so you should be able to deliver bad news with tact and grace. And make sure to wash the grease off before shaking hands and handing over the keys.
- High sense of urgency: Customers can only read last month's People magazine in the waiting room so many times before they start getting antsy to get their two-tone Oldsmobile back. This is a field in which you need to work hard, fast and smart. (And be sure to stock the waiting room with current reading material).
- Mobility and coordination: You'll likely be on your feet most of the day - running around, balancing your weight awkwardly and constantly squeezing into tight spaces. In other words, if this gig doesn't work out, you'll have the perfect résumé to be a circus performer.
- Valid driver's license required: Not only will you likely be driving cars into and out of the garage, but you really need driving experience considering that you're working on cars. Odds are that sneaker designers know how to walk.
- Must be able to lift 40-50 lbs.: Just think, when you work in a garage, you can cancel your gym membership.
- Age restrictions: Typically, you must be 17-18 years of age to start. You need a little experience behind the wheel before you’re repairing and replacing four of them.
Expected hours:
Most employers of Auto Technicians and Auto Mechanics offer flexible schedules, so you could have anywhere from 15-35 hours a week, depending on the needs of you and your company.
Dress the part:
You'll likely receive a comfortable company uniform. Don't worry about stains, rips, drips and tears – you're not going to need to get this outfit dry-cleaned.
Job myth:
Auto Technicians / Auto Mechanics hang out underneath cars all day long.
Nope. As an Auto Technician, you're going to need to perform a fair share of customer service – from a standing position. Whether you're collecting info from customers about what's wrong with their car or you're explaining the diagnosis and available options, you should be comfortable talking to strangers. And for when you're calling to tell drivers that they need a new transmission, practice delivery of this key phrase, "The good news is the glove compartment works..."
Expert advice:
Take advantage of the training opportunities and the experience of others, as these can go a long way in determining your career path. Here is some advice from a Valvoline Service Center Manager:
"It means so much to me that my manager has taken the time to help me advance in the company and show me that he cares about my well being. When I started as a technician I didn't have any automotive experience and through the help of my manager and the training provided, I have worked my way up to a Service Center Manager. If I can do this, you can too."
Career path:
- Certified Technician ($35,000 to $40,000/year)
- Assistant Manager ($40,000 to $50,000/year)
- Service Center Manager (About $60,000/year)