How Can I Become a Mechanic?

[Father Of Giants]

I know this a kind of a personal question, however this forum has a few current and retired mechanics and I was wondering if you guys could give me some insight on getting my foot in the door in this career field.

This isn't off the whim, I've been pondering it for quite some time. How should I present myself? How should my resume be written? Do I apply in person etc.


Can someone like me, get in? I have no prior professional experience and at best an old ASE student certificate from high school and some DIY experience. Truth be told, I have more experience and mechanical inclination after working on my 300SDL than the day I came straight out of high school with 2 years of "autotech" vocational training.


What are shops I should avoid and things to watch out for? I won't give you my life story but I'm tired of my current job which is low wage food service. Friends and family always ask "Why don't you go in?" So I thought I'd ask you guys.

My end goal is to work my way into Diesels if possible either big rigs or heavy equipment, however I'll start off via any means necessary.


Looking forward to the discussion.

[lorainfurniture]

Any mechanic shop would die to get anyone with some mechanical aptitude and willingness to show up on time with enthusiasm to work. Sure, you may not get hired instantly at the Mercedes dealership, but any decent mechanic shop is always looking for good help, and a lot are so desperate that they are willing to train.

Go fill out some applications and I guarantee you’ll have an entry level mechanic job in a week.

[engatwork]

Try to find an independent, big rig diesel repair shop and and approach them with what you have told us to see if they will let you get some entry level experience to start.

[leathermang]

First I think it is great that you had that ASE Certification and the Autotech vocational training....
It shows you have had an interest for a long time....
I would try to find a company which needs Diesel mechanics.... first.. not try to work up from gas... and one which will promise to send you to the FACTORY TRAINING school that they use.... Factory Training for a particular make of engine gives you flexibility quickly....
Get a paper copy of the 617 Factory Shop Manual.... if you can understand the fuel injection systems described there.... you will be way ahead of the game....

[sixto]

I would think the quickest path to the shop floor is a certificate from a known trade school. Check and confirm their placement relationship with shops that interest you.

[Harshness follows]
I don’t hire mechanics for a modern shop but familiarity with a 30 year old MB Diesel won’t get you an interview with me unless my shop that caters exclusively to 30 year old MB Diesels. I imagine if there is such shop it’s fully staffed. It might help if you’re at least 60 and your name if Jurgen or Dieter or Wilhelm :p Seriously, you need to know your way around systems like SDS if you’re going to be useful in a modern shop. I can’t imagine pure shadetree mechanic skills getting you further than Jiffy Lube. Maybe Midas or Firestone if you know someone.

Maybe you present yourself well so give it a try. Just be ready to invest in certification if it’s really your goal.

Here are some listings near you:

https://norfolk.craigslist.org/trd/d/auto-technician-mechanic/6439444779.html

https://norfolk.craigslist.org/lab/d/diesel-mechanic/6439020014.html

https://norfolk.craigslist.org/trd/d/mechanic-needed/6440738549.html

https://norfolk.craigslist.org/trd/d/auto-tech-monday-fridayalso/6439006880.html

https://norfolk.craigslist.org/trd/d/automotive-technician/6434907782.html

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

[torsionbar]

Originally Posted by Father Of Giants

My end goal is to work my way into Diesels if possible either big rigs or heavy equipment, however I'll start off via any means necessary.

One path I've seen bring career success to a number of folks is a short military enlistment. There are certain skills that are in demand in both the military and the private sector, and heavy diesel mechanic is one of them. Unlike private sector, you can enlist for 2 years in the Army with zero existing skills, and they will train you. You get out once your 2 years are up, and you are now a heavy diesel mechanic with 2 years of experience on your resume. Obviously this path is not for everyone, but it is a sure way to get training and experience in a specific technical field like heavy diesel equipment, in order to jump start your career.

[Father Of Giants]

Originally Posted by torsionbar

One path I've seen bring career success to a number of folks is a short military enlistment. There are certain skills that are in demand in both the military and the private sector, and heavy diesel mechanic is one of them. Unlike private sector, you can enlist for 2 years in the Army with zero existing skills, and they will train you. You get out once your 2 years are up, and you are now a heavy diesel mechanic with 2 years of experience on your resume. Obviously this path is not for everyone, but it is a sure way to get training and experience in a specific technical field like heavy diesel equipment, in order to jump start your career.

Sounds like a great idea honestly.

[Mike D]

After 40+ years of assorted professional mechanical experience I'll pass on what one of my first tutors told me. He said, when I informed him of my career choice, "Ya know how God made the first mechanic? He took an idiot and beat his brains out".

Can't complain about my former profession. Made a decent living, ALWAYS found something new to wonder at, learned many new skills (whether I wanted to or not), stayed in good physical shape and ended up with a boat load of tools, some of which I don't even remember what they are for.

[engatwork]

I was in the next town over the other day and a fairly late model C300 pulls into the parking lot. I handed the driver a card for my MB repair shop and he asked me if I was ASE certified and I had to admit I was not but I did mention I was a mechanical engineer with 37 years experience. He said something about his extended warranty requiring any shop that did work for him hold ASE certs.

[funola]

Originally Posted by Mike D

After 40+ years of assorted professional mechanical experience I'll pass on what one of my first tutors told me. He said, when I informed him of my career choice, "Ya know how God made the first mechanic? He took an idiot and beat his brains out".

Can't complain about my former profession. Made a decent living, ALWAYS found something new to wonder at, learned many new skills (whether I wanted to or not), stayed in good physical shape and ended up with a boat load of tools, some of which I don't even remember what they are for.

"stayed in good physical shape"

I suppose you did not work as an auto mechanic? I can't see bending over the engine compartment all those hours be good for your back, nor breathing toxic fumes all day long. I know a friend's father who owned an auto repair shop his whole life. Don't know if related, but two years after retirement he was diagnosed with throat cancer (never smoked) and died one year later.

While I enjoyed working on my own cars as a hobby, learned a lot/ saved a lot of money over the years, I would never want to work on other people's greasy cars to make a living.

[cmac2012]

Originally Posted by Father Of Giants

Sounds like a great idea honestly.

I was thinking the same thing. I was draft age in '72. Vietnam was just too whack so I stayed out. But I've often thought that serving would have been a useful experience. I'm not the neatest mo-fo, not the best housekeeper. I gather that a stint in the army will inculcate the value of tidiness in a big way.

Aside from that I'd recommend a good Community College auto tech training program. I attended about 3 quarters, not full time at Alameda CC (a small island town near Oakland). Great learning experience. I was looking for more knowledge, was really too old to switch careers at that point. If you do a quarter or two at such a place, better chance that you'd get the mechanics assignment in the military that you want.

Or you could stay with a CC for a couple of years. I'll second what I just read above, be wary of for-profit schools. The CC I went to was a good scene. You were encouraged to bring in your own rig, put it up on a lift, a diagnose and fix problems. With good advice on hand. Good garages would come in asking for promising student to be sent over.

[Father Of Giants]

Originally Posted by engatwork

I was in the next town over the other day and a fairly late model C300 pulls into the parking lot. I handed the driver a card for my MB repair shop and he asked me if I was ASE certified and I had to admit I was not but I did mention I was a mechanical engineer with 37 years experience. He said something about his extended warranty requiring any shop that did work for him hold ASE certs.

Originally Posted by Mike D

After 40+ years of assorted professional mechanical experience I'll pass on what one of my first tutors told me. He said, when I informed him of my career choice, "Ya know how God made the first mechanic? He took an idiot and beat his brains out".

Can't complain about my former profession. Made a decent living, ALWAYS found something new to wonder at, learned many new skills (whether I wanted to or not), stayed in good physical shape and ended up with a boat load of tools, some of which I don't even remember what they are for.

Now that I think about it, I'll buy scanner danner's book and study from front to back for a few months, that way I'll have an advantage in applying and negotiating pay.

That why I'll also be specialized in a certain skill set. *

[jake12tech]

I went to a tech school in high school, pursued after high school training at a vocational school for diesels at night. Started as a mechanic at a small shop for mercedes and worked there for awhile and got lucky when I applied to the dealer for MB.

I wouldn't suggest going to school. It's expensive and the loans aren't cheap. It's an extra $200 a month in payments I'll make for 13 years probably. Start from the bottom and work your way up in a small shop.

[Hogweed]

20 years ago i was able to get a job at a Goodyear tire store with zero documented experience (other than many years of wrenching on my own stuff).
we did lots of tire and front end work but the shop was full service and i was able to learn how to do a lot of things on many different cars.
i'm not sure if it's still the same but i would think you'd be able to gain some experience in this way that would allow you to build a skill set and a decent resume.
best of luck and happy new year!!
G
edit: much like jake suggested

[leathermang]

That is why I suggested finding a large company which would promise to send him to the Factory School for their brand....

Originally Posted by jake12tech

I went to a tech school in high school, pursued after high school training at a vocational school for diesels at night. Started as a mechanic at a small shop for mercedes and worked there for awhile and got lucky when I applied to the dealer for MB.

I wouldn't suggest going to school. It's expensive and the loans aren't cheap. It's an extra $200 a month in payments I'll make for 13 years probably. Start from the bottom and work your way up in a small shop.