Got no garage work experience

Dan-1987

The experience thing is a real issue for those who haven't done the traditional apprenticeship route wanting to get into the trade as your discovering

I don't want to be negative,especially as you've obviously self funded your qualifications to get into it,but I'd have to agree with what's been mentioned earlier
Mechanical trades are the only ones I know of where you have to self fund thousands of pounds of tools,expected to know everything about everything yet receive an average wage at best! There's a good reason there's more leaving the trade than coming into it

jackandcoke

mike19902010 wrote: »

mobile mechanic? being self employed doing my own accounts etc? would need a van or something and i don't have spare cash to invest lol aa and rac yes i've applied just seeing if i get a reply

You are definitely not selling yourself. You sound far too negative. Could you not get a loan for a van; an investment into your future?

System

Garages want people with experience of working on particular models which you're not going to get whilst doing a college course. Typically the vehicles you work on in college are quite old, usually a decade at least, not anything like current or last gen models which is the kind of familiarity they're wanting. With that experience/familiarity comes a gaining of a knowledge of common faults and issues.

As has been said, the problem with not going through the traditional apprenticeship route is you get a basic overall idea of how to do certain procedures but not model specific.

The best thing to do is to create a skills CV. This is one where you promote all the skills you learned plus the qualifications and the employment history is a footnote with just brief descriptions instead of it being the main focus. Also think about the opening personal statement as this is where you sell yoursel. This is what I put in mine when trying to get a job in an engineering company after quite some time out of the field work wise, much of it driving lorries. I got the job BTW....

Personal Statement:

As an experienced Vehicle Mechanic and Electronics Engineer with additional skills in fabrication, coupled with a high level of mechanical aptitude and fault finding skills, I have basic skill sets to cover most tasks given for the post. Following a successful 14 year career in a field demanding a strong work ethic, initiative and the ability to learn new skills quickly, I want to return to a technical based career which can also utilize the skills gained during this time.

Obviously you're not returning but you could use much of that and re-word as require, maybe changing the last part to looking to start a new career.

Technical Skills

• Theoretical and practical grounding in automotive engine, fuelling and ignition systems.
• Ability to read and follow engineering drawings and electronic circuit diagrams.
• Ability to assemble diesel and petrol engines from scratch to fully working units including all
ancillaries.
• Carry out testing, fault finding and repairs on petrol and diesel engines plus ancillaries using a
wide range of testing equipment from simple compression testers through to computerized
Sun Crypton tuner diagnostic units.
• Electronic diagnostic skills involving the use of multimeters, oscilloscopes and other test
equipment.
• Experience using tools for measurement such as micrometers, vernier and dial gauges
• Experience with metal fabrication, MIG, ARC and gas welding.

mike19902010

Thanks for the advice people, I'll take it on board!

Not meaning to sound nevative, more like trying to be realistic. My credit rating isn't great, and unsure if i'd get a loan for a van.

I've done so many jobs on cars, even engine rebuilds all on my own(going to google every now and again) this way i've learnt so much. The tasks on cars i've done is on my covering letter i send with my CV.

I've had 3 interviews in 2 weeks so far, another one tomorrow. First one they was going to train me up as a MOT tester and said i was promising but their workload increased so they need to employ an mot tester right away. Next one, i got the interview then declined me because i wasn't experienced(if only i could provide proof of my jobs i've done on cars) why do they give me an interview knowing i'm not experienced yet not take it any further because im not expeirenced lol its daft.

I'm being positive, looking every day, 2 times a day. Going to interviews with the impression i might be taken on, if i had the cash injection to become a mobile mechanic i'd take it, but then theres the cost of the van, cost of the insurance etc. would being a mobile mechanic give me that experience needed for a garage job?

I'm not giving up, i'm applying for jobs even if they say they need experience because hopefully one will take a chance on me lol

keithmac

It's not like it used to be, too many people either buying scrap off ebay and expecting miracles or penny pinching instead of having it done right first time..

20 years in the bike trade for me, probably £20,000 of my own money on tools an toolbox etc..

It's stressfull, I'm basically the diagnostics/ efi tech for our shop as well as spannering. Time is never on your side.

I can imagine a fair few would sack it off in the first year or two..

System

Not massively helpful but when it comes to tools....

Take your certificate to Halfords and apply for a Halfords Trade Card. Their Professional range is very good and has a guarantee that is now better than Snap On or Mac Tools. Trade prices for tools are great, typically around 50% of the shelf price and for service items and parts the prices on their trade card are similar to trade suppliers like Andrew Page. Just bought 5 litres of their own brand OAT antifreeze concentrate which is £24.99 shelf price for £18.99 on trade card. Things like windscreen wipers are 50% off.

mike19902010

hey!

after a good 200+ job applications, i've finally got a job in a garage!

starting on 17,000 a year

well happy

jimbo747

Well done.