Job searching newbie

I am finishing my HDM course at college soon and dont really know how to go about searching for a Job. I have only had one job and it was at a ****** store like Walmart. My end game goal is to be working as a field mechanic on off road vehicles such as mining equipment or construction equipment. I am not even a first year apprentice so I will probably be working in a shop under a journeyman mech. I also have zero contacts and know no one in this trade.

So my biggest questions are -
- How should I dress for a job interview for this trade?
- How should I send in my resumes (should I walk in the front door and hand them in in person or email them).
- What kind of garages should I be looking out for (I heard a rumor in college that no one gets hired from freight liner where I live).
- Are there any unspoken rules?

Any answers to these questions would be a big help, thanks.

My advice is wear a clean button up shirt and long pant to a interview, get some windshield time and hand out the resumes, and realize you don't know much and will be starting at the bottom.
The good news is young people aren't going into the trade and opportunities exist all around.

It's just like any other job. Show up like a professional. Show respect to everyone you talk to. You never know who you maybe talking to as soon as you walk in the door. Be honest, ask questions, express your interest in learning and working. Then when you get the chance show up on time, work hard, work whatever they ask as long as its safe. And just plain show you want to be there and you want to learn and improve. You are going to screw up at some point that's life but that's how you learn. Always learn from your mistakes

390 eric makes a good point...do whatever they ask you to do and don't complain. Remember that most anyone over the age of 40 considers this new generation a bunch of soft, sorry whiners. You're going to have to prove you're not.

Dealership jobs are cool, but restrictive. Your toolbox and wallet will love the fact you only work on a handful of engines, and line of equipment. Examples, cat truck shop is cat power, some driveline work. Off road john deere, not much other than deere and whatever else the dealer sells. Independent shop, you get it all, lots of tired iron, lots of learning curves on various pieces from domestic/foreign and all sizes. Then you have dedicated shops that support a company in house. Lots of various types and sizes of equipment, lots of learning, tooling items. Shops of all sorts buy lots of tooling, some stuff you are still going to need to buy yourself. I would take resumes to all of them.. Ag, construction, road and dirt companies, concrete and crusher operations, trucking too. And maybe dont take the first job that opens up or is offered unless it kicks ass. Without a lot of experience, anything you can get is going to be great and a good learning tool to see what systems are out there.

The pointers above are all excellent advise, follow them.

As for where to look, two companies I have personal knowledge and experience with are:

1) Michels Corporation, www.Michels.us they are a heavy/highway/pipeline contractor with Canadian operations, a family owned company and super to work for.

2) Peter Kiewit Sons Co. www.Kiewit.com they are bigger than Michels and a ESOP, Have Canadian operations and super to work for. Have been working in Canada for 60+ years.

Look at their web sites for info and employment opportunities.

Dress well, just walk in the front door and ask for the service manager, talk to him, tell him where your at and where you would like to be and how you would like to get there, show him that you have a plan and are motivated and egar to learn...look for places that you could see a future or advancement within.. at at dealership, you will have all the info and resources around you in some shape or form, you may not have every special tool but there will be that one guy at every place who has something or some way of doing it just as well. factory training is always a bonus, you may go there for one course but you will always walk out with a memory stick full of other info. IMO the days of throwing parts is over, too many computers running a peice of equipment, the average shop will just do minor diag and running repair.. you will lean to keep old equipment running but will get lost wiht the newer stuff even faster. theres no shame in starting off in a smaller shop to gain experience just dont feel obgligated to stay no matter what they offer you, you will only be as smart as you make yourself.

I've been using part time workers for a while now and am looking to move into a full time guy. I was also a maintenance supervisor at a large factory and had anywhere from 8 to 34 people under my wing. I've interviewed many people over the years.

Confidence is something I looked for while interviewing but arrogance hit the door quick. I didn't look for knowledge as much as an ability and willingness to learn. I always figured it was easier to train the right guy the proper way to do stuff rather than teaching an old dog new tricks. Experience is hard to come by but a willingness to adapt is harder once a person is set in their ways.

Dress clean but no suit & tie for that job. Show confidence in your abilities and a desire to learn. A firm handshake and good posture makes a good first impression. Sit up straight and pay attention to the person in charge. Don't let stuff going on around you draw your attention away from the objective in front of you. Those are good attributes for a good employee.

You can only BS your way so far so be careful there. Admit to deficiencies that you may have if they come up but come back with a firm plan to overcome them.

Once you get hired it will probably be on a probationary level so.... Admit to any mistakes. Covering them up will bite you in the arse. Bring up any ideas you have to make things go better in the shop but be VERY tactful. Someone will be looking to take you down. Downtime IS NOT sit down time unless it's lunch or break. Grab a broom and sweep, wipe down shelves, toss out some floor dry. Don't over-do it and be that guy, but a bit of extra effort will show when it comes time to go full time.

It can be a fine line but being polite, tactful, confident and busy will get you a long way.

Don't make a career out of working for a place that is on a downward spiral. They will take you with them. It's a stop-gap but keep looking.

Good luck.

Dress for the job that you want.



10 things that require zero talent:


Being On time
Work Ethic
Effort
Body Language
Energy
Attitude
Passion
Being Coachable
Doing Extra
Being Prepared


In my opinion, emailing your resume is slightly better than not sending it out there at all. However, most HR emails get lost in the 100's of other emails that they receive. Your best results will come from doing a little homework on the company that you're applying to, then writing a personalized motivation letter explaining why you want to work at that company and why you're a good candidate for the position. Deliver in person. I can't stress this enough. Deliver in person to the service manager.

This sets you miles ahead of those soon to be deleted emails that might only be seen by a receptionist or secretary. Good luck.

on edit: Using the same logic as why you should dress for the job that you want, be positive about yourself: use vocabulary that describes you in a positive manner and then work towards living up to that positive assessment. I know it's "just a screen name" but if you handed me your resume with "lazy" written anywhere on it, I wouldn't take you seriously..... Take yourself seriously when it comes to work ethic!

It seems that you have searching somewhere else about job opportunities. It would be great if you have some year experience then looking for new position. I don't have specific advise but "Don't worry, just be yourself". Good luck!

Hate to say it but with some of the people we have had come in lately make sure you shower and clean yourself up also.

Blue jeans and a polo or a dress shirt. Nice, clean boots or dress shoes. Be polite. Show up early. Head up and shoulders back. Do not slouch during an interview. Be honest about your knowledge and what you are looking for. There are jobs out there, you just have to want to work and be willing to work. Everyone is looking for a hard worker who will show up when they are supposed to. Do not be too proud to do anything even if it is not your job or really is below you.

Where are you in Canada?
Peter Kiewit Sons Co of Canada has major operations in mining, oil sands and heavy construction all over Canada, they take equipment maintenance VERY seriously and are very good to work for.
Michels Corp. of Canada is a major pipeline contractor, very good to work for and just as picky about maintenance as Kiewit.
I suggest looking at their web sites for more detailed information.

burbage maurice

I found my dream fob through job searching sites! I love my job!