Hey, mechanics...
Discussion
I turned 25 on Sunday. Took my car for balancing and alignment on Monday and asked about vacancies/apprenticeships while I waited. Got the best late birthday present ever today, when I called the garage and spoke with the manager again, and he offered me a trial day next Monday. I'm really hoping it goes well. I went to college almost five years ago and did my light vehicle qualifications (C&G level 3 and IMI level 1) and have been struggling to break into the trade ever since. Now I finally have a chance I am determined to do well.
Can anyone offer some advice/guidance? What to expect in a professional environment, as opposed to a college workshop?
I have a good sense of H&S and good common sense, so I think i'll do ok. Just excited and want to talk about it a bit to be honest.
The guy who owns the garage seems really down to earth and keen to have someone working for him who is actually interested in the technical side of things, as opposed to the ignorant, stupid little s
tbags the apprentice companies would send him, so we should get on well. I don't want to let him down and don't want to let myself down. Think i'm just a bit apprehensive since I haven't been in a workshop for two years+, and only done small jobs here and there.
Only piece of advice i remember getting from tutors was get jobs in and out as fast as possible to impress your employers. Making money will keep your job etc.
Can anyone offer some advice/guidance? What to expect in a professional environment, as opposed to a college workshop?
I have a good sense of H&S and good common sense, so I think i'll do ok. Just excited and want to talk about it a bit to be honest.
The guy who owns the garage seems really down to earth and keen to have someone working for him who is actually interested in the technical side of things, as opposed to the ignorant, stupid little s
tbags the apprentice companies would send him, so we should get on well. I don't want to let him down and don't want to let myself down. Think i'm just a bit apprehensive since I haven't been in a workshop for two years+, and only done small jobs here and there.Only piece of advice i remember getting from tutors was get jobs in and out as fast as possible to impress your employers. Making money will keep your job etc.
Edited by danjama on Tuesday 7th August 21:11
Righty tighty lefty lucy...
It sounds silly but don't rush using a spanner/socket, make sure you are comfortable and get a firm grip otherwise you will look stupid doing it cack handed just to be a few seconds quicker. I first started on site when I was 18 10 months ago after 2 years at college and just been able to use tool efficiently was quickly drilled in to me.
I know you're 25 but I have no idea of you background and use of tools so you might be able to ignore all what I have just said - just a heads up and what I found with the older lads on the tools.
It sounds silly but don't rush using a spanner/socket, make sure you are comfortable and get a firm grip otherwise you will look stupid doing it cack handed just to be a few seconds quicker. I first started on site when I was 18 10 months ago after 2 years at college and just been able to use tool efficiently was quickly drilled in to me.
I know you're 25 but I have no idea of you background and use of tools so you might be able to ignore all what I have just said - just a heads up and what I found with the older lads on the tools.
McFsC said:
Righty tighty lefty lucy...
It sounds silly but don't rush using a spanner/socket, make sure you are comfortable and get a firm grip otherwise you will look stupid doing it cack handed just to be a few seconds quicker. I first started on site when I was 18 10 months ago after 2 years at college and just been able to use tool efficiently was quickly drilled in to me.
I know you're 25 but I have no idea of you background and use of tools so you might be able to ignore all what I have just said - just a heads up and what I found with the older lads on the tools.
Cheers Mc it's sound advice. It's easy to get something simple wrong when you're thinking about 'bigger' problems.It sounds silly but don't rush using a spanner/socket, make sure you are comfortable and get a firm grip otherwise you will look stupid doing it cack handed just to be a few seconds quicker. I first started on site when I was 18 10 months ago after 2 years at college and just been able to use tool efficiently was quickly drilled in to me.
I know you're 25 but I have no idea of you background and use of tools so you might be able to ignore all what I have just said - just a heads up and what I found with the older lads on the tools.
Can you remember what sort of jobs you did early on, in the first few days/weeks?
What sort of jobs/experiences have you had in the last ten months?
I'm not a mechanic but work with mechanical things and use spanners, sockets, screwdrivers and allen keys etc...
I work with older people who love their trade and take pride in been good at it, I imagine good mechanics are the same.
If the lad you are working with/near says, "Oh, I could do with, XYZ." If you had XYZ within 5 seconds he would appreciate these things and mention it to his colleagues in the tea break or whatever.
The big jobs are easy, it's the little things that give you a good reputation.
Like I say though, that's how I've found it, as an apprentice, on a chemical site with experienced staff.
I work with older people who love their trade and take pride in been good at it, I imagine good mechanics are the same.
If the lad you are working with/near says, "Oh, I could do with, XYZ." If you had XYZ within 5 seconds he would appreciate these things and mention it to his colleagues in the tea break or whatever.
The big jobs are easy, it's the little things that give you a good reputation.
Like I say though, that's how I've found it, as an apprentice, on a chemical site with experienced staff.
After being efficient with the tools, one of the most important aspects is attitude. You have to be able to give and receive the piss takes from minute one - be warned, mechs can be the foulest mouthed buggers on the planet and if they think you are a bit "soft" or "gay" your life will be a misery and you'll last minutes! Furthermore, the boss will be watching to see how you fit in with the others so suss out the workshop attitude in the first few minutes and then try to fit right in.
Congrats and all that.
Keep busy, if you're not working on a clients car, help another mechanic, watch and learn, be attentive holding inspection lamps. If there are no cars in the workshop, pick up a broom, sweep the floor, empty bins, clean the toilet. Pitch up prepared, overalls and proper footwear, safety specs. At the very least, a good quality set of screwdrivers, socket set and spanners. A notepad to make notes.
Keep busy, if you're not working on a clients car, help another mechanic, watch and learn, be attentive holding inspection lamps. If there are no cars in the workshop, pick up a broom, sweep the floor, empty bins, clean the toilet. Pitch up prepared, overalls and proper footwear, safety specs. At the very least, a good quality set of screwdrivers, socket set and spanners. A notepad to make notes.
I am not from a garage background, but skilled jobs have some commonalities:
It might also be beneficial (when the boss is comfortable with you doing so) to be able to deal with customers yourself, e.g. take them through what you did with the car and give them advice as to the next jobs that might be required. Good customer service and interpersonal skills will keep some punters happy enough that they will pay over the odds to keep dealing with you personally.
As has been said about the kettle - make everyone a brew and show them respect.
Be ready to grab the phone with hello XYZ Garage in a cheery voice and take messages for the boss to minimise his time doing admin -being pulled off jobs to answer the phone is annoying for some people so you can make a good impression there.
If you can see your boss spending time on basic jobs that you could do, offer to take them off him.
A new starter being willing to work late to help out or to learn some new stuff would impress me as a boss!
After a few weeks at least, a new starter who offers to be a keyholder for the premises so they can lock up/open up might take some pressure off the boss.
It might also be beneficial (when the boss is comfortable with you doing so) to be able to deal with customers yourself, e.g. take them through what you did with the car and give them advice as to the next jobs that might be required. Good customer service and interpersonal skills will keep some punters happy enough that they will pay over the odds to keep dealing with you personally.
As has been said about the kettle - make everyone a brew and show them respect.
Be ready to grab the phone with hello XYZ Garage in a cheery voice and take messages for the boss to minimise his time doing admin -being pulled off jobs to answer the phone is annoying for some people so you can make a good impression there.
If you can see your boss spending time on basic jobs that you could do, offer to take them off him.
A new starter being willing to work late to help out or to learn some new stuff would impress me as a boss!
After a few weeks at least, a new starter who offers to be a keyholder for the premises so they can lock up/open up might take some pressure off the boss.
TurricanII said:
After a few weeks at least, a new starter who offers to be a keyholder for the premises so they can lock up/open up might take some pressure off the boss.
Whilst not trying to cause an argument, but it shows that you work in IT with all that helpful touchy feely ste, do you all want a brew can I lick your boots etc. Turn up on time
Do as you're told
Don't f
k upThe bit I've quoted would have you marked down as a potential thief in most workshops.
That post seems a bit harsh wolf - I reckon it will depend on the circumstances, but if i can see he is under load/pressure i will certainly plant the idea of helping with opening/closing and small jobs/admin, though i will be careful not to tread on any toes.
Some really great tips here, thanks guys. I'm 100% prepared to stay late/work overtime/weekends etc, whatever it takes to learn and become proficient and self efficient. Thanks for the reminder to go and get a decent little set of screwdrivers too, got everything but...
Some really great tips here, thanks guys. I'm 100% prepared to stay late/work overtime/weekends etc, whatever it takes to learn and become proficient and self efficient. Thanks for the reminder to go and get a decent little set of screwdrivers too, got everything but...
danjama said:
Thanks for the reminder to go and get a decent little set of screwdrivers too, got everything but...
Got everything, aww bless, how naive! (it will become an obsession!)And remember, ask before you borrow tools! Put them back straight away in the same condition. Only purchase good quality tools as and when you can justify them. You may find that your boss is quite happy to lend you items until you are self-sufficient. But will wear thin very quickly if you are on the pizz every weekend yet ask to borrow his feeler gauges Monday morning!
Good luck!
Good luck OP.
It applies to most jobs, but never be afraid to ask questions, just make sure you only have to ask the question once.
Repeatedly asking the same question, even though it's been explained a number of times is bloody annoying.
Carry out tasks properly. For the first few months, it will be a case of quality over quantity. If you're working with some older guys, chat to them about how to deal with particular problems. Most guys love to pass on experience or give you their thoughts on a matter.
Most importantly, develop a bit of banter with your colleagues. Work is much more enjoyable when you can have a laugh with the people you work with.
Hope it goes well
It applies to most jobs, but never be afraid to ask questions, just make sure you only have to ask the question once.
Repeatedly asking the same question, even though it's been explained a number of times is bloody annoying.
Carry out tasks properly. For the first few months, it will be a case of quality over quantity. If you're working with some older guys, chat to them about how to deal with particular problems. Most guys love to pass on experience or give you their thoughts on a matter.
Most importantly, develop a bit of banter with your colleagues. Work is much more enjoyable when you can have a laugh with the people you work with.
Hope it goes well
wolf1 said:
TurricanII said:
After a few weeks at least, a new starter who offers to be a keyholder for the premises so they can lock up/open up might take some pressure off the boss.
Whilst not trying to cause an argument, but it shows that you work in IT with all that helpful touchy feely ste, do you all want a brew can I lick your boots etc. Turn up on time
Do as you're told
Don't f
k upThe bit I've quoted would have you marked down as a potential thief in most workshops.
Yes I work in IT, but I have worked with people who turn up on time, do as they are told and try not to f
k up... They also had NO interpersonal skills and would sit browsing the Internet rather than thinking about helping their busy colleagues around them. Clients and colleagues thought they were rude or arrogant. Turn up on time and do as you are told are two great bits of advice though, but don't limit yourself to that!Once you have settled in and proven yourself not to be a toss piece/to be a hard worker, co-workers should be less cynical than to assume you are a thief.
I employ junior people and I am glad that they can come in and answer the phone at 8:30am so I do not have to stress about being stuck in traffic.
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