Topic: Getting to work in the motorcycle industry

[BomberMann650]

The obvious answer would be to ride your bike to work!

In all seriousness.  I'm getting positioned to toss my hat in the ring.
Now qualified for dealership jobs across the country - been placing a few phone calls.
Which means phone interviews.
Interviews - that old arch nemesis.

There's a double-edged question that gets routinely asked.  To which I have difficulty answering.
      "Do you have any experience?"
The short answer is No - I just graduated a 24 week program that barely scratches the surface.

When in reality - graduation was something i accomplished after 6 years of being a motorcyclist and close to 9 if you count all terrain vehicles.  A fascination that continues to snowball downhill and deeper into the rabbit hole.  Never mind holding the flashlight for my dad.

When does that get shared with an interviewer?  The years of effective moonlighting which has consisted of 5 engine rebuilds, two complete resto-modified machines, numerous trail repairs in sitiu.  Plus boats and bulldozers and Bonneville! 

I may be overly nervous about this.  Knowing how adamantly the industry wards off homespun bike builders.  Causes that sinking pit of social anxiety in my stomach.  Each and every time this closed-ended question comes up. 
When in my heart I know there is so much more.

[ken65]

Soldier on old boy.

[70CB750]

Well, tell them what's your experience.  Add some details about particular rebuild.   Ask for probation time.

But I hear you.  Changing field is always hard no matter what you do.

[goodtryer]

Don't forget that they are looking for someone to solve a problem they have. In reality, they want YOU to be the guy. They aren't looking for a way to eliminate you; they're looking to hire. All you need to do is make it easy for them.

Do you have experience? "Heck Yeah! I've been a gear head for years. I own bikes, I work on bikes. I do this stuff at home! I'm passionate about it so much that I WANT to do it as a career."

"I also went to XYZ technical school to get a certificate but I've done A and B and C long before I went to class. We barely talked about that in class. I've used this tool and that one, I read manuals, I've done scheduled maintenance, I've done customizations, I've brought things back to stock."

They're opening the door! Don't just walk through. RUN THROUGH IT! With that question, they give you a giant blank canvas to paint your own picture. Don't lie, it'll always come back to bite you. But don't be shy either. Tell them what you've done. If you're not excited about it, they won't be either.

Any hiring manager will take a motivated guy that needs a little extra training over a burned-out experienced clock watcher.

You can do it!

[maxheadflow]

Goodtryer is correct.  Your experience includes stuff that you've done non professionally.  If you've built number of bikes, it worth having picture of the work you did. 

Your first job may not be optimal.  Sometimes, the best thing to do is take what you can get then prove you can do the work and move on from there. I've worked in a couple crappy shops just to get buy then moved to better ones. 

[BomberMann650]

Thanks for the votes of confidence fellas.

Goodtryer's point on lying can't be stressed enough.  "Don't try to be something you're not." Is especially important in the motorcycle world.  The school will beat that into you.  Then there's Bonneville - which will humble you.

Might be guilty of selling myself too short.  Only a small percentage of people accomplish these things, which many will never attempt.  Through self-awareness however, it's easy to see that my experience - my builds - are modest in comparison.

I know what I don't know - which might not be such a bad thing..

[goodtryer]

it's easy to see that my experience - my builds - are modest in comparison.

Most of the work they'll want you to do is modest. Oil changes, tune-ups, leaks, etc. That's 90% of the work in a shop.
And never lose the perspective: they are TRYING to hire somebody. They want to find a good candidate. The fact that you have some humility, and some awareness that you don't know it all, willing to learn... it's exactly what an intelligent manager wants.

Might be guilty of selling myself too short.

This is key. It's like asking a girl out. It's not your job to tell them all the reasons why they shouldn't go out with you. You've got something to offer. The smart ones will see it. The dumb ones are a waste of your time.

You can do it!

[Kelly E]

Be confident in what you know. Let them know that you are willing and want learn. The worst that can happen is they say no, say thanks again and move on. If you really want to work somewhere just keep asking until they give you a try.

[Stev-o]

Hey Bomber....my daughter's girlfriend works for this job search company:  https://www.indeed.com/
 
There are many motorcycle mechanic jobs listed right now throughout the country...

https://www.indeed.com/q-Motorcycle-Mechanic-jobs.html?vjk=d14a60f18a7000a4

Do you have a resume?  A good resume is essential in todays job market, without one you may not even get in the door.

BTW - my daughter recently received her Master's Degree in Business Administration and just landed her first real job with a law firm in Downtown Austin. So good to get her off the "payroll"!

[grcamna2]

This is all excellent advice being offered here:no matter what other's think of you,it matters more if you really want to be in a particular dealership.There are many different ones and I think it helps if you can look for one that treats new help fair.
Take a walk into the dealership and look around and only after you like what you see,Then ask to speak with the Service manager.The place that you can respect the most might be just the best place to want to join.
They will probably ask you if you've ever assembled new bikes:that's usually the first thing they have a new tech do.
I hate to mention this but some shops like to find a new person to dominate:if you get any of that 'vibe',walk-out and don't look back 

[BomberMann650]

I've got a resume Stev-o - though it seems what people expect a resume to *look like* varies wildly!

Years ago, when i was in the music industry.  Resume's were pretty much irrelevant in a network of freelancers.
Portfolios were the name of the game.  The most poignant advice i was given in that regard was as follows.

Curate a defensible body of work - and market yourself with that.

There was a time in my job search experience when references were crucial.  Thankfully, I have some good ones.
With this industry, they already know who my instructor was.  Heck, they likely know I'm posting stuff here!

In either case, I have an idea of where i might want to settle down.  There's only one "official" shop there - with plenty of open positions.  Unfortunately, my obligation is keeping me in the heartland through the winter.  Hopefully it won't be too long before I am free to travel.
The alternative is returning to dads garage and having some added flexibility in pursuing my goals.

Might be able to put together a record holding cb550 if I did that.

[BomberMann650]

The other day I was surprised 754 Frank hadn't chimed in on this thread.
Then the news hit the forum.
Frank's advice and encouragement was always welcomed.
Funny how someone you've never met, can be one of your best supporters.

Godspeed 754

[WhyNot2]

It ain't bragging if you done it.........When I applied for work at an assembly plant, they asked if I had any assembly experience....I said no, I've been in the U.S. Army for the last 20 years. Then he asked have you ever worked on cars, and taken parts off, and put them back on..........I said yes, I was a diesel mechanic and a truck driver, then went into the supply management.

He stood up and said "welcome to the assembly world."


Sooo, go get 'em partner.....!!!!!!!!!

[BomberMann650]

Awesome story whynot

It's funny how experiences can translate skills.

Long ago, when i was a teenage bicycle repairer.  There was a hot new product coming to market.
Pretty radical concept.  A planetary gear hub, using spheres to offer a seamless and (marketed) infinite amount of ratios.
Guess what shows up on the showroom floor 13 years later?  I had a chuckle and the nearby salesperson had no clue why i was so amused.

[grcamna2]

Awesome story whynot

It's funny how experiences can translate skills.

Long ago, when i was a teenage bicycle repairer.  There was a hot new product coming to market.
Pretty radical concept.  A planetary gear hub, using spheres to offer a seamless and (marketed) infinite amount of ratios.
Guess what shows up on the showroom floor 13 years later?  I had a chuckle and the nearby salesperson had no clue why i was so amused.

I'm interested in that planetary hub;what brand name/type is it ?

[BomberMann650]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NuVinci_Continuously_Variable_Transmission

[grcamna2]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NuVinci_Continuously_Variable_Transmission

Yeah,I Like it ! 

[BomberMann650]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NuVinci_Continuously_Variable_Transmission

Yeah,I Like it ! 

Right?  Teenage me had no idea why it was so cool.  Thankfully the service manager then was an awesome teacher.  He was hoping a customer would order one so he could tinke...i mean lace a wheel with it

[grcamna2]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NuVinci_Continuously_Variable_Transmission

Yeah,I Like it ! 

Right?  Teenage me had no idea why it was so cool.  Thankfully the service manager then was an awesome teacher.  He was hoping a customer would order one so he could tinke...i mean lace a wheel with it

Has it become commercially avail. yet,or special order?

[BomberMann650]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NuVinci_Continuously_Variable_Transmission

Yeah,I Like it ! 

Right?  Teenage me had no idea why it was so cool.  Thankfully the service manager then was an awesome teacher.  He was hoping a customer would order one so he could tinke...i mean lace a wheel with it

Has it become commercially avail. yet,or special order?

It's been on the market for a decade.  Apparently the company made it to the big leagues they're an OEM part now!

[kghost]

I have a shop but it's in Australia...

I sure pondered your question. Can't say I have a very good or useful answer for you.

All experience matters. Even the stuff in the backyard shed.

Whatever happens if it's your true avocation keep working at it and keep learning

[WhyNot2]

I have a shop but it's in Australia...

I sure pondered your question. Can't say I have a very good or useful answer for you.

All experience matters. Even the stuff in the backyard shed.

Whatever happens if it's your true avocation keep working at it and keep learning

Right on.........!!!!!!!

[Alan F.]

The other day I was surprised 754 Frank hadn't chimed in on this thread.
Then the news hit the forum.
Frank's advice and encouragement was always welcomed.
Funny how someone you've never met, can be one of your best supporters.

Godspeed 754

Well said Brother.

[BomberMann650]

I have a shop but it's in Australia...

I sure pondered your question. Can't say I have a very good or useful answer for you.

All experience matters. Even the stuff in the backyard shed.

Whatever happens if it's your true avocation keep working at it and keep learning

Thanks kghost.
The backyard shed can be poorly underrated sometimes. 

[Don R]

 You never know where your opportunity may lead you so just keep following it. I did 7 years in a factory, then got a chance to run a roto rooter, I went third shift at the factory and cleaned drains for 4 hours every day. That sucks but I was out and about all day and I loved that. Next thing I knew I was invited to a plumbing apprenticeship. I did service, construction, welding, pipefitting, refrigeration, medical gas installing, whatever they needed I made sure I was their guy. Towards the end I was a project manager and worked for guys that I trained. One of my apprentices runs a 200 man shop now.