4 Things to Avoid When Interviewing for an Auto Repair Career

Finishing your auto repair program can be stressful as you try to get your first job. Once you finally get that first interview, you may be wondering what you can do to stand out and give a good impression to employers? Keep reading to find out what not to do if you want to land a job in the auto repair field and how to give employers an excellent first impression. 

1. Arriving at an Interview Unprepared

When arriving at a job interview, you need to be sure that you are prepared. Do something that will make you feel confident before and ready to tackle the job interview. But being prepared isn’t only about how you feel. You also need to research the job and company you are being interviewed for. That way, you will know what to expect and when they ask you questions about them, you can show them that you are interested and eager to work for them. It would be best if you also prepare your own questions beforehand. Preparing questions will make you appear interested while demonstrating that you are someone who has learnt a lot from their auto repair programs. An example of a question could be “What is the most frequent type of repair your auto shop does?”

2. Dressing Inappropriately

When interviewing for an auto career, mechanics need to dress professionally. Depending on the position, you will want to dress accordingly. If it’s a manager position, you might want to head in wearing a suit. If it is a lower position, perhaps a t-shirt or a dress shirt will do. You will want to wear something you feel confident in, but that fits the part and is somewhat formal. You will also want to come prepared with your tools in case they would like you to demonstrate a car repair on the spot.

3. Criticizing Previous Employers or Colleagues in Your Auto Repair Career

Another off-the-table act when heading into interviews is criticizing or complaining about your previous employer. Talking negatively about your previous employer can make you seem unprofessional in the workplace. The same thing goes for talking negatively about your colleagues. You want to give the impression that you are a positive employee that creates productive relationships with your managers and colleagues to contribute to a better workplace. 

4. Don’t Forget to Discuss Your Past Experiences

When going into an interview, try to answer the questions with as much detail as possible while keeping your answers professional and not sharing too much personal information. Interviews should last around 30 minutes so keep that in mind when answering questions. When asked about yourself, split your information into subsections: your areas of interest, job experience and career aspirations. It is important to talk about your related field, so employers know that you have experience and knowledge of the auto mechanic career that you’re applying for. Giving vague or general answers is unlikely to impress employers. Remember, they want to hear specific examples of work that you have done well or how you have learned from your past mistakes. 

Are you interested in pursuing an auto repair career? 

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