Mindy Mozer - Getting a Job in Automotive Care and Service

Published in 2014 by The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. 29 East 21st Street, New York, NY 10010

Copyright 2014 by The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Mozer, Mindy.

Getting a job in automotive care and service/by Mindy Mozer. 1st ed.New York: Rosen, c2014

p. cm.(Job basics: getting the job you need)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-4488-9609-7

1. AutomobilesMaintenance and RepairVocational guidanceJuvenile literature. 2. Automobile industry and tradeVocational guidanceJuvenile literature. I. Title. TL152.M69 2014 629.2872023M877

Manufactured in the United States of America

T he automobile repair technician inspects the Chevrolet Corvette. Dressed in steel-toed boots and blue coveralls, his job is to figure out whats wrong with the car. The owner reports that the check engine light has been on for two days and that he feels a jarring transition when the car shifts gears. The owner also found a little fluid on his driveway. The technician pops the hood and checks the transmission fluid. Its low. He plugs in a diagnostic scan tool that tells him what is causing the check engine light to flash. The technician has confirmed that theres a problem with the transmission. He reviews the information with his supervisor and begins fixing the car.

The Corvette is one of several cars the technician will repair on this particular day, and one of dozens he will see during his workweek at a local garage. Fixing cars is what the technician has wanted to do since he took a basic automotive repair class in high school. After he graduated, he enrolled in an associate of applied science degree program at a community college.There, he took classes in subjects such as steering, alignment and suspension, manual transmissions, automatic transmissions, and engine performance. He considered getting a certificate instead so that he could enter the workforce after only one year of study after high school. Ultimately, however, he liked the idea of getting more hands-on experience in a two-year associates program.

Auto repair technicians, also called mechanics, like to work with their hands. They can be found at a variety of businesses, from small gas stations to car dealerships. An auto repair technician is just one of many jobs in the automotive care and service industry.

After completing his degree, the future automobile repair technician began looking for a job. He searched for job openings online, networked with friends and teachers, and got some help preparing his resume from a local job center.

His time spent preparing didnt end after he landed an interview. He researched the local garage online, prepared a list of questions to ask during the interview, and practiced answering questions that he might be asked. On the day of the interview, he put on his newly purchased dress clothes and presented himself as a confident and capable employee. After the interview, he sent thank-you notes to the employees he met with and followed up with a telephone call. Ten days later, he was offered his dream job.

The technician knows that he still has a lot to learn about fixing cars and fitting in at the business. He also has a lot to learn about managing a regular paycheck, setting goals for the future, and excelling and advancing in his career. But then he remembers that only two years ago, he knew little about getting a job in automotive care and service. He knew nothing about educational programs, how to find job openings, and preparing for interviews. That seemed overwhelming then, but by taking it one step at a time, he was able to get where he is today.

Others who like to fix and tinker with cars and trucks can also find the perfect job in the automotive care and service business by taking similar steps. They just need to invest a little time and effort in learning about the field and the process.

S ome people prefer to drive a sedan. Others like the roominess of a station wagon. Some prefer cruising in a roadster. And others like the fuel efficiency of a hybrid, which uses an electric motor as well as gasoline. Just as there are different types of brands, makes, and models of cars, there are different types of jobs in the automotive care and service industry.

Auto repair technicians are like doctors for automobiles and trucks. A person brings in a car that isnt working right, and technicians have to figure out why and how to fix it. They have to do it quickly, meet dealer standards, and give the customer an accurate price. Most important, they need to fix the vehicle right the first time or the customer will not return for service in the future.

Auto repair technicians work at gas stations, privately owned garages, car dealerships, and large national repair companies. The technicians are also called mechanics, depending on the place of employment. The term auto repair technician has been used more often in recent years because cars have become more advanced over time. Auto repair technicians today use sophisticated computerized equipment to figure out what is wrong with cars. They can then make the necessary repairs, using power tools or traditional handheld tools to fix problems. The hours that auto repair technicians work vary, depending on the company. Many businesses are open on nights and weekends, which requires technicians to work those shifts. Technicians arent worried about getting dirty. They work with their hands repairing greasy parts of a vehicle.

Auto repair technicians use sophisticated computerized equipment to figure out what is wrong with cars. Most garages require auto repair technicians to have at least a high school diploma and some formal training.

Oftentimes, auto repair technicians specialize in one area of car repair, such as brakes, transmission, or tune-ups. The amount of education needed for the job depends on the specialty and the place of employment. Most garages require at least a high school diploma and some formal training. The typical duties of an auto repair technician include:

• Preventive maintenance: Inspecting vehicles, tuning up engines, changing the oil, rotating tires, balancing wheels, and replacing filters
• Repairs: Fixing engine problems, replacing car parts, fixing mechanical and electrical system malfunctions, and repairing body damage
• Vehicle upkeep: Cleaning, washing, painting, and replacing worn parts