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ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC

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EIL

02-01-2004 03:50:12




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Hello fellas!!!! Ya'll have helped me a lot in the past so if ya'll don't mind, I could use a little more help. I have been going to a vo-tech school for a year and a half to be a diesel mechanic. I have roughly 3 or 4 more months before I will be getting a job. Hopefully I will get a chance to work at either the local john deere dealership, the local case/kubota/mahindra dealership, or possible the local new holland dealership since I enjoy repairing lawn and farming equipment. My question for you guys is, exactly how do I keep the boss happy? This will be my first job and I really want to make a good impression on the boss. I know my biggest pet peeve is being paired up on a project with someone and having them stand around talking while you do the work so I know keeping buissy is one way to make the boss want to keep you but, like I said, I never had a job before so I don't know what a boss expects on a fresh out of school mechanic. If someone could please list some do's and don't's that most people make that really gets the exployers ticked off, I would really appreciate it. Thanks for the helpful advice!!!!!

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Ron in Nebr

02-05-2004 21:15:29




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
Alot of good information here. I too went to a tech school and worked at various repair shops before becoming self-employed.

A thing I didn't see mentioned here that is worth consideraton is your personal interaction with the customers. Being in the shop, hopefully you won't have customers around all the time, but you WILL have contact with them from time to time. Always try to give the best impression possible. Smile, be courteous, and talk to the people. You'll run into customers that aren't in the best of moods, and some even worse, but don't let that keep you from remembering that THEY are actually the ones who provide the funds to pay your wages.

You'll get to know some of the "regular" customers that come in often. Try to remember their names and treat them like friends. Not only will this make a good impression on the customers, but I'll guarantee your boss will notice this as well.

Life's changes forced me to leave each of my mechanic jobs. Never was fired from one. And each one I left, the boss hated to see me go and customers that used to ask for me by name asked about me after I was gone. I could go back to any of the places I worked to this day and have a job tomorrow if need be. You really do need to be just as good at working with people as you do working on the mechanical end.

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Red Tom

02-02-2004 16:27:04




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
I too went to trade school worked as a mechanic and went back and got my Bachelor's degree in management. Needless to say I'm still a mechanic, but I also landed a very good paying job. Lots of good replies and agree with all of them but keep in mind, there are bad bosses too. I worked for one that was actually physically abusive. So don't feel bad if you first job is not your "dream job" thats just one of the facts of life. Also pay attention to the work group before you say yes. I used to like to try to scope out the shop before hand ask questions around the town etc. One job I had, I found out after I hired in, had a permant help wanted add on file at the local paper because turnover was so high. One shop I went to during the night shift and talked to the boss he said it was great, everyone was young, in their 20's . Yeah, that was because the place sucked so bad no one would stay. Don't be a brown nose- do be willing to work Don't be a pushover- but keep your mouth shut(I wish I did that) Use the knowledge of the older workers-but remember just because they've got seniority doesn't mean they are all smart I learned just as much from one year with a fellow mechanic before he retired as I did in school. Work hard but don't show off, just keep your pace going- that same fellow mechanic never seemed to work hard but man did put out the work- other boneheads looked like mice running around the inside of bucket, sweat all day and not get anything done. Lastly, if you move on they may not remember you if you were excellent or average but we sure do remember the jerks. No matter how bad the place you are still going to need the reference.

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JD-Tractor

02-01-2004 18:38:01




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
Keep in mind that if you accept the job then you accept the conditions of the job.I've been on both sides of the aisle and a lot of people agree to take a job and then immediately want to change what they agreed to (If you don't like the terms then don't take the job) and also remember it dosen't take any longer to do the job right than it does to do it over!!!



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Mike

02-01-2004 16:59:29




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
I recently read in a newspaper article that the #1 reason employers fire workers is due to unreliability. An employer can't make money if you dont show up, or show up late. When my father hires workers one of the major things he looks for is the desire to learn. You may not know a lot, but if your willing to learn you can be taught anything. If your not willing to learn, you are stuck at that level forever. Another thing to remember is that things dont always go smoothly. This summer I welded an I beam 1 foot off where it was supposed to be. When I realized the mistake I went right to my boss and told him I made a mistake. Cost the company 15+ man hours to fix, but the boss was understanding because I came to him right away and told him I made a mistake. A short time later, another worker made a less serious mistake, but he tried to hide it. They caught the mistake a week later at the wobsite, and they laid the worker off....Honesty is always the best answer.

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Tim in OR

02-01-2004 16:31:50




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
Many good coments here. One thing I may add is, Don't be thin skined. We have all worked in shops where the know-it-all badmouths someone else. The boss will see who actually dosen't get the job done, vs who does. Just do the best job you can, Do it right the first time, and take pride in your work.
Congratulations, and good luck.

Tim in OR



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Harrison

02-01-2004 15:54:29




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
Congradulations on your invest in your future.Do all what is mentioned and your boss will be happy.But money is the thing you need to be happy with up front.Raises are few and far between even for the best employees.Check around with other mechanics for an idea on adverage pay,understand a greenhorn can't expect top pay off the street,but you should get close to adverage with your schooling.After all you can't start at bottom pay like others off the street,you have student loan payments (maybe). After you make a deal for a starting wage NEVER TALK PAYCHECKS with other employees.You might be making more than someone who has been there 6 months longer and it will cause problems.In short get a wage up front that will cover your bills,then if it is a good job you will be alot more likely to stay and you won't have hard feelings with your boss cause you need a raise in 6 months to catch up your bills that are falling behind. Good luck.

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moonlite

02-01-2004 15:37:46




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
All posts have been great. Just one more thing there may be some older guys who resent your training and may try to show you up. I was lucky and was apprenticed to a real good journeyman but have heard of some new guys who were "set up" by the older guys. DO NOT try to impress them with your knowledge because they were running a pretty good shop before you arrived. I ran a welding shop with from 6 to 12 workers for 14 years. Shop for brand name tools at flea markets

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EIL

02-01-2004 15:32:45




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
WOW!!!!! ! You guys sure have some excellent advice. I have seen many know-it-alls, lazy people, or others that just are overconfident at the job and act like they are, as one put it, God's gift to the shop. And yet another one that is the teachers pet since day one. But at the same time, I do catch myself griping about people and talking about their laziness when I should just keep my mouth shut. I have noticed that anytime the teacher has a job to do he puts me on it, and I do often volunteer to do the dirty clean-up jobs that nobody else wants to do, plus I always make sure to tell the teacher yes sir or call him Mister when nobody else does. I will definitly take everyones advice. Thanks for the good luck wishes and getting this student ready for a job.

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JOHN

02-01-2004 15:03:51




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
I know you did ask about how to keep the boss happy,seem's the problem is co-worker's more often then not.Mark your tool's,get a engraver.



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Indydirtfarmer

02-01-2004 14:40:59




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
I hire most of the employee's for the country club I work for. I also hire a few "summer helpers" for my farm. Here's what I look for. 1st. Be reliable. Show up on time, and ready for work. Don't expect to go home early. Your boss will be planning his day, with the expectation of yoi being there all day. 2nd. Be honest. NO ONE likes a liar, or a cheat. 3rd. Don't try to impress anyone with things you DON'T know about. Ask questions. Any good boss will appreciate you asking before making a mistake. 4th. Admit when you make a mistake. Don't try to cover up, or blame someone else. 5th Realize that your company is in business to make money (off of your work) If they don't, you won't be making it for long either. 6th. Don't get involved in "politics". Let everyone else have their say, but stay out of "office politics". 7th. Be a "walking advertisement" for your business. Look professional. Don't come to work, looking like someone off of an MTV video. The list can go on and on, but those are the most important things. The fact that you are asking this question, shows you are "in the game". Good luck. I hope to see you in a John Deere dealership, working your way to the top, someday. John

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Dan Z

02-01-2004 11:21:48




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
The empolyees that I have valued,rewarded and enjoyed are: kind, look for work, humble, learn from mistakes, don't gossip, treat others as they wish to be treated, see the company as bigger than themselves (big picture), look for work, respect that fact that it is my comany, have no agenda, and no job is beneath them. I will do and have done anything for this type of empolyee.

The employees that I have had difficulty with have the following qualities: know everything, are uncorrectable, gossip, selfish, rude, petty, look only at their own needs, see their job as more important than the company's existance, short tempered, lazy. I will say that I not longer have any of these employees.

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Ben E.

02-01-2004 11:14:30




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
Hey EIL
You've had a lot of excellent advice here. I always told my mechanics that if they screwed up, I would need to be the first to know. Never try to cover up mistakes no matter how much time you may lose, make it right, and if the boss doesn't know about it he can't help you with it and sooner or later you'll get bit between YOUR hip pockets. Wrench turning is a very rewarding occupation, I did it for 35+ years and wish I still could.

Enjoy
Ben E.

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Fawteen

02-01-2004 10:18:36




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
Lot of good advice here. I'd add one point: Take your time making friends at work. Watch and learn who is there to work and who is there to stir up trouble. If somebody corners you and starts badmouthing another worker or the boss, just keep your mouth shut and your eyes open and FORM YOUR OWN OPINION! Getting on the wrong side of shop politics can ruin an otherwise ideal job. By the same token, don't be badmouthing others, even if they've got it coming. You do your job, let them worry or not worry about doing theirs.

Also, nobody expects the New Guy right out of VoTech to know everything. There are tips and tricks particular to every brand. Don't be afraid to ask a more experienced guy if you're not sure. Acting like you're God's Gift to that shop will get ya in trouble too.

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kyhayman

02-01-2004 09:19:54




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
Congratulations! on soon-to-be graduation!

A lot of good advice here. Just acouple of thoughts.

#1 Be on time, be there, dont quit early, stay busy

#2 the good Lord gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth to be used in that ratio

#3 If you dont make your employer money, he doesnt need you

#4 take your time and do it right, dont cut corners but dont waste time on a job either

#5 no matter how negative someone is about the company you work for, as long as you work there dont complain about it

#6 Smile, enjoy yourself. Happiness and job satisfaction is as much a state of mind as anything else.

#7 Actually probably #1; never, ever do anything that will get your employer sued! Going through that right now (I'm the employer) and it is NO fun.
Warmest regards,
David

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Chris

02-01-2004 07:59:51




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
I have worked at a Deere dealer in the past and am going to school to work at one again. Just keep busy. If things slack off look for things to do. The worst thing you can do is stand around. If the boss comes back and talks to you don't speed up and keep working to try and impress him. Take your time and talk to him. Don't get over anxious. (not sure if thats spelled right.) Bottom line if you take the time to do your work right then they will want to keep you. Don't get frustrated if something doesn't work or you just can't figure it out. It's OK to ask a few questions. Show up on time and if for some reason you have to be late take the time to call ahead. Learn to work with a partner. If he is standing around ask him to get stuff for you or to hold stuff. Just keep working at your own pace and if he keeps standing around it will catch up with him.

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Greywolf

02-01-2004 07:52:45




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
If a customer asks a question about the job you are doing for him, answer as truthful as you can. You will go into the field on service runs. Talk to him, not at him. If you don't know the answer, dont try to BS your way through it, we can smell BS a mile away....LOL. Be honest and say you don't know, but will try to find out.

The feed back to the shop foreman will come. Be it good or bad. The bad will beat you back to the shop.

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TimV

02-01-2004 07:38:56




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
EIL: Glad to see you're nearly finished--hang in there! Van and Buck covered some very important points, and I'd like to add a couple more. On my first day of work, my father told me "keep your head down and your mouth shut, and you'll do fine", which I think is an excellent piece of advice for anyone starting a first job. No one likes a know-it-all or a busybody, and most shops have at least one. Things like tattling, playing politics, complaining about everything all the time, and similar behaviours are guaranteed to get you the cold shoulder by both your boss and your co-workers. The whole trick of the business is to solve more problems than you create, and things like I mentioned above create problems in the shop (or any other workplace for that matter), which will make the boss grumpy when he has to deal with them. Expect to get the crappy assignments for a while, until you've "paid your dues" and proven that you're worthy of doing the better jobs. This is nothing personal, it's just the way most shops work. Professionalism is also very important--keep a clean work area, and keep your tools clean and organized. Take pride in your work--no matter how good or bad the economy is, a good mechanic can always find work, because as long as people have cars, trucks, tractors, and toys, they're going to need fixing. Good luck and keep us posted!

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Buck

02-01-2004 06:11:20




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
Hi EIL, THINK SAFETY. As a long time supervisor, for as much as 60 people. Let me tell you, safety is the key word now a days. Insurance rates make or break the employers. My company would go after insurance rebates just as hard as pure profits. We have done public work contracts where the owner (city of) would carry the insurance; well this means other contractor rates were public information then. My company�s rates would be just over $3.00 a man-hour, but just down the street our competition�s rates would be over $ 8.00 a man-hour. That comes right out of the company�s bottom line. A lot of things have changed in the past, but one thing has not. The chase for the dollar bill. If you take money out of your company�s pocket, you won�t be there very long. I agree with Van, be on time or early, keep your mouth shut, and do as your told, nobody like a mouthy kid! Until you make a name for your self, start a minute or two early and stop a minute or two late. I don�t mean Kiss up, I always hated that, I just wanted everybody to treat me the same as I treated them. No need to kiss up, just do your job, and do it very well. Safely, trust me anybody can get hurt, the hard part is healing up

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Van in AR

02-01-2004 05:16:01




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 Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to EIL, 02-01-2004 03:50:12  
Be on time, be on time, be on time! Also when you are not currently on a project use that time to keep your area picked up and clean. It is also quite OK to get dirty at work, but always show up in the morning clean and ready to work, I was a Air Force aircraft maintenance specialist for 25+ years and the civilian side looks for the same thing. Had too many guys that would show up in the morning and hug the coffee pot for the first hour, hmmmm, 1/8 of the day shot. The butt kissers will get a raise or promotion sometimes over you, however good work habits and accurate maintenance will get you a raise over the slugs of the world in the long run. Who knows in five years you could be the shop forman. Good luck.
Van

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tom Pennsylvania

02-01-2004 09:11:08




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 Re: Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to Van in AR, 02-01-2004 05:16:01  
Every mechanic is expected to have their own set of basic hand tools. If you don't already have them, buy the cheap , import stuff. That way you can get started at work with a full set of tools, without borrowing tools from the other guys on the job. When you do need to borrow something, only once, then buy your own. Once you have a good idea of what tools you need to work with, THEN buy the real good brand tools.
Then take the cheap stuff home for tinkering at home.

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kraigWY

02-01-2004 07:03:31




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 Re: Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to Van in AR, 02-01-2004 05:16:01  
Van covered it pretty good. Nothing empresses me more the loyality. The guy pays you you ride for the brand.



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Ol Chief

02-01-2004 17:36:01




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 Re: Re: Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to kraigWY, 02-01-2004 07:03:31  
There are many excellent pointers ,so my only additional comment is Try to anticipate what he may expect or want and be there ahead of time.Even though this rule may not always fit every assignment.



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Ray,IN

02-02-2004 22:25:28




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: ADVICE FOR A SOON TO BE MECHANIC in reply to Ol Chief , 02-01-2004 17:36:01  
I will add, don't get into the game of "well he did it". Remember this- If you get stopped speeding you can't get off by saying "well they did it". The same applies at work, an employer/boss really rankles at this lame excuse(it did me anyway). Work with these traits in mind; reliability, honesty, ethics, and knowledge. You'll do fine, just remember what being the new kid in a new school feels like and how you soon got over it.

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