What I am Looking for in a Potential Employee
This is the time of year when school finishes and young people come out looking for work. Already I have had a number of young people walking through my front door unannounced (in thongs and stubbies) handing me a piece of paper (a resume), which carefully typed says something like hard worker, work experience – breast feeding puppies at the RSPCA, earned high distinction for origami blah, blah, blah. I say thank you then point to the door and throw the resume in the bin – waste of time.
Time is the vital ingredient in running a successful business. Business is touch. I have 15 other mechanical workshops within 800 meters all trying to put me out of business. It’s a fact that 80% of businesses shut down in the first four years.
Australia is a worker orientated country – we have high wages, superannuation, high taxes, holiday pay and add the business has to pay for any mistakes the employee makes. Sickies and it goes on top of emotional problems the employee may have. All of this must be paid for out of the business.
It’s not easy for young people. Here are some of the problems:
- They only put on people with experience;
- There are no jobs out there;
- I do not know what to do to get employed?
The problem is schools do not teach how to become employable or how to compete and survive in the outside world apart from study. Why? Because teachers have never lived in the real world – oxymorons.
So here is some advice I can give to anyone looking to star a career in mechanics and what I look for:
- Desire – decide that you want to become a mechanic for the right reasons (like making a fire breathing engine come to life from a bucket of bolts).
- Buy a car you can afford and study it. Learn everything you can about the car, how the brakes work, how the ignition works.
- Read, read, read – read everything about the car. Get on the internet. Learn everything about it. Become a student.
- Do mechanical courses. Enroll yourself. Get government grants then use what you learnt straight away on your car.
- Get another part-time job to give you cash to finance your mechanical education.
- Buy yourself tools to do the job. Funnily enough I judge a mechanic by the size of their tool box. Why? Because it shows commitment in doing the job properly. Good mechanics are always looking for good tools.
- Take photos of your work and put it in a resume. Be proud of your work and show the world!
- Be a good reader and be able to write. This is a must. But focus on the mechanical side to be able to explain what you are doing.
- Develop good internet skills. The internet is the greatest invention of the modern era. Use it to gain relevant knowledge on the car you are working on.
- Research the company you want to work for. Get on their website, understand what they do. Ring up and make time for an interview. Never walk in unprepared.
- Dress smart. What you must understand, the business is everything to the owner. If you walk in casual or not dressed then you do not deserve to work there.
- Never ever give up!
- Driver’s licence. No licence? Forget it!
There is a saying that the teacher will arrive when the student is ready. By following these steps, which I have outlined above, this will give you the focus and skill set that employees are looking for. It’s not easy, but then everything is hard before it becomes easy. There is risk and costing. But you are training yourself to become employable. You are showing commitment, focus, and if you believe in yourself and your destiny, you will win and be the chosen one.
– Manny, 0411 496 621
To serve, to perform, to guide.
At Manny’s Mechanical Repairs you are in good hands, our main services include, Safety Certificates, Logbook Service, Free Pickup & Delivery, and Car Cooling System Repairs.
We have the latest diagnostic equipment and my work van is fitted out with an industrial air compressor. This enables me to perform heavy duty work and give you – the customer – the best service at any place and at any time.
For Bookings and enquiries, please contact us on 0411 496 621, email us at agrade@mannysmechanicalrepairs.com.au or visit our site www.mannysmechanicalrepairs.com.au.