In need of a career change... any ideas?

Ammo Jon · Feb 15, 2018

Toxicjin said:
I'm not sure I would be cut out to be an advisor. I could probably explain things pretty well to a customer, but I'm not much of a salesman. I know I dont have many options to choose from, but other than maybe in a parts department,I would like to leave the automotive industry all together.

Honestly it's not bad, the hardest part for me was getting the truth out of the mechanics and conveying it to the customers. I had mechanics that would write up an RO before the car even hit the rack, I learned very quickly that if the customers were upset it was on me. I let my team know I'd keep them very busy with honest work, you make me look bad by lying and I'll make sure you bill out at zero hours for the week.

The people that go to dealerships are surprisingly very willing to (over) pay. I sold 20 hour jobs on Tacoma's that should have been put out to pasture. Having the ability to translate into layman's terms, show a customer what a mechanic is referring to, having mechanics that know they can't pull the wool over your eyes, etc. might actually make you a very strong service writer. As I said I'm happy to reach out to him.

Jon

Ammo Jon · Feb 15, 2018

https://forms.carchex.com/employment/auto-inspector/

-Z/28- · Feb 15, 2018

Toxicjin said:
I'm not sure I would be cut out to be an advisor. I could probably explain things pretty well to a customer, but I'm not much of a salesman. I know I dont have many options to choose from, but other than maybe in a parts department,I would like to leave the automotive industry all together.

I'm an advisor, and I can tell you technical knowledge; and the ability to dumb it down; goes further than sales skills. You just have to accept up front that some people will never trust you and never spend any money. As long as you don't take any of those people's crap personally, you'll be okay.

That said, I agree the auto industry blows. Long hours, and everyone lives or dies by customer surveys graded on scales that make no sense. Its fun when an oil change customer leaves a bad survey because they think the free coffee sucked.

teratos · Feb 15, 2018

Go to nursing school.

Toxicjin · Feb 15, 2018

Tebonski said:
Baltimore Police are looking for caring individuals who want to serve and give back to the community. Unlimited overtime.

Lol... No thanks..I don't think I could afford the lawsuit against me from some inner city punk that had his feelings hurt because I arrested him...

protegeV · Feb 15, 2018

teratos said:
Go to nursing school.

No way. I have mucho respect for my wife for doing it, but the stories she tells makes me glad i never went into the medical field...

Ammo Jon · Feb 15, 2018

To the OP, as I said before I know the service director of a large dealership as well as the service manager of a Merchant's, part of Tire Kingdom/NTB/etc. I'm happy to reach out to either one of them and let them know that you're looking for a job. My referral fee is 20% of gross income for the next 20 years =)

Toxicjin · Feb 15, 2018

JMS said:
To the OP, as I said before I know the service director of a large dealership as well as the service manager of a Merchant's, part of Tire Kingdom/NTB/etc. I'm happy to reach out to either one of them and let them know that you're looking for a job. My referral fee is 20% of gross income for the next 20 years =)

Is the pay hourly or is it based on sales (commission)? Curious because I would be pretty new to it.

Antarctica · Feb 15, 2018

You need to provide more information on what you want to do.

Continue working withhands? More brain work? Willing to travel? Willing to sit at a desk? Willing to take a pay cut?

There are so many things I'm not sure where to start.

Ship out as a wiper in the engine room ona ship - good money, kiss family goodbye.

Become a machinist (not a button pusher). Pay sucks to start and never really gets good.

Learn to code - plenty of free things out there to start learning with, to see if its your bag.

It may be that you just need to go to a new shop - maybe step into a bit different/more professional mechanic role. I.e., diesels, construction equipment, etc. I guarantee that work is a lot more diverse than working on cars, but there will be downsides to it also. I.e. field mechanic working on machinery, you better be ready to work in the muck. But some guys love it - you're on your own more, every job is different, you'll pick up more diverse skills - welding, line boring, etc...

Changing what you are doing isn't easy. And every job looks greener until you do it for a while, then its just a job. That's why they call it work - it ain't fun!

OK - there are some fun jobs, like being a downhill skier, but not many of find ourselves in the right place at the right time with the right talents/physique for that...

Ammo Jon · Feb 15, 2018

Toxicjin said:
Is the pay hourly or is it based on sales (commission)? Curious because I would be pretty new to it.

It's a base salary plus commission, plus benefits, etc. I actually just reached out to the manager (good guy), his person is leaving and he is looking. I'm happy to PM you his info and phone number. You'd be looking at about a 30 min/30 mile commute. The person that is leaving is going on to manage another store, he's an ASE Master Mechanic btw.

5.56blaster · Feb 15, 2018

teratos said:
Go to nursing school.

I was going to say something in the medical field. X-RAY tech may be an option. Tough program. I don't know who teaches it anymore but medical equipment repair and calibration is also a good field. Best of luck!

Ammo Jon · Feb 15, 2018

PM sent with a lead and contact info. If I had to pick between a shop and a dealership I like the feel of a shop much better.

MaxVO2 · Feb 15, 2018

teratos said:
Go to nursing school.

*****Yup, you could be like this guy!

Toxicjin · Feb 15, 2018

Antarctica said:
You need to provide more information on what you want to do.

Continue working withhands? More brain work? Willing to travel? Willing to sit at a desk? Willing to take a pay cut?

There are so many things I'm not sure where to start.

Ship out as a wiper in the engine room ona ship - good money, kiss family goodbye.

Become a machinist (not a button pusher). Pay sucks to start and never really gets good.

Learn to code - plenty of free things out there to start learning with, to see if its your bag.

It may be that you just need to go to a new shop - maybe step into a bit different/more professional mechanic role. I.e., diesels, construction equipment, etc. I guarantee that work is a lot more diverse than working on cars, but there will be downsides to it also. I.e. field mechanic working on machinery, you better be ready to work in the muck. But some guys love it - you're on your own more, every job is different, you'll pick up more diverse skills - welding, line boring, etc...

Changing what you are doing isn't easy. And every job looks greener until you do it for a while, then its just a job. That's why they call it work - it ain't fun!

OK - there are some fun jobs, like being a downhill skier, but not many of find ourselves in the right place at the right time with the right talents/physique for that...

I agree, I could have given more information. I am good with my hands and think i should keep it that way. I don't think I'm cut out for the office work (If they would even have me with both arms in full sleeved tattoos) I would probably get bored. Being away from my Family isn't an option as I have an adult daughter who is handicapped and needs me around(my wife would probably care less...). I am very good at learning new things. Over the years I have torn down and completely rebuilt my entire staircase, installed tile back splash, hung cabinets, install new sinks/ toilets, etc....I don't think I would be able to do contractor work though because its still a lot of heavy lifting(wrists), tight spaces (neck and shoulders) and so on. I may just be stuck doing this until I'm completely boken.

Antarctica · Feb 15, 2018

Toxicjin said:
I agree, I could have given more information. I am good with my hands and think i should keep it that way. I don't think I'm cut out for the office work (If they would even have me with both arms in full sleeved tattoos) I would probably get bored. Being away from my Family isn't an option as I have an adult daughter who is handicapped and needs me around(my wife would probably care less...). I am very good at learning new things. Over the years I have torn down and completely rebuilt my entire staircase, installed tile back splash, hung cabinets, install new sinks/ toilets, etc....I don't think I would be able to do contractor work though because its still a lot of heavy lifting(wrists), tight spaces (neck and shoulders) and so on. I may just be stuck doing this until I'm completely boken.

Well, its an office (maybe shop floor job) but it requires (to do it well) a mechanically inclined brain, so you may have a leg up:

CAD/CAM/CNC Programming.

Basically, using a PC to program a machine to cut parts. Take a look at fusion 360 or titan academy for an idea of what it is. You're not going to make a million, but it will keep your brain going and it is physically low impact.

There ought to be good demand up in the Aberdeen area for this, and also south of Bmore in the Columbia area.

You take a job as a button pusher making $20/hr so you learn how to set up the machines, and then you study like hell learning how to program them on the side. Then in three years you move to a shop that needs a programmer and can make fair (not great money). Or you get a wild hair and start buying cnc equipment to start your own shop.

Or how 'bout doing mechanical assembly work up at middle river aircraft or similar?

Just a thought. Good Luck.

FYI - If that's of interest (cnc) PM me and I'll point out several machine shops/businesses up that way.

PapiBarcelona · Feb 15, 2018

Working at a job shop is ideal to break into the trade, but there are a good amount of employers who aren't your typical job shop style machine shop and just need a few people to fill the roll to do everything.

I work for an employer with a specialized niche, I do everything from the machinist standpoint in this company but my official title isn't machinist. From "how we going to make this" all the way to interferometry metrology. We only have 3 other guys in this whole company that fill the role of machinist and looked upon for advice/troubleshooting. We have everything from multi axis CNCs to your typical bench grinder.

It's definitely a unique trade, most real good machinist aren't guys who stuck around 1 employer but have worked at dozens of shops their entire career.

Antarctica · Feb 15, 2018

toxicjin, meet PapiBarcelona, your new best friend.

I suggest you start buying him beers....

lawrencewendall · Feb 15, 2018

You could try some of this free coding training and see if you have the aptitude for it if you have the time.

https://i.imgur.com/5RWoPhjr.jpg

Udacity has some free stuff also.

https://www.udacity.com/courses/all

John from MD · Feb 15, 2018

Toxicjin said:
I'm not sure I would be cut out to be an advisor. I could probably explain things pretty well to a customer, but I'm not much of a salesman. I know I dont have many options to choose from, but other than maybe in a parts department,I would like to leave the automotive industry all together.

From several friends I have found that the HVAC industry is hurting for people. You know auto air conditioning and computer operated systems so it wouldn't be a hard transition to make.

Squaregrouper · Feb 15, 2018

OP, as mentioned in another current thread...
If you have an inspection license, there is a definite market for an "inspection only" facility. There are thousands of people who would be happy to pay extra for a legitimate inspection from someone who isn't trying to get additional work from the inspection.

EDIT- My wife mentioned offering a pre-purchase clean bill of health service as well- also with no repairs being offered or performed. "This is going to need front brake pads. A reputable shop should charge $175-$200 for the service" People who aren't in the know about cars would find value in this service.

In need of a career change... any ideas?

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