I mentioned this in an earlier comment, but you can also get started by seeking work as a delivery driver for parts stores. This wouldn't require any mechanical experience, but you can learn a lot by talking to and observing mechanics everywhere you deliver to. This is especially helpful if you need help or advice while working on your project car. And you might even be able to make some useful contacts/references in local automotive shops and dealerships. You might even be able to make a good enough impression on some shop or dealership to apply to start there.
You really summed it up on how to plunge into the automotive repair industry. The only thing that i could add to the mix was vocational schooling while in high school, granted in my teen years my mechanical amplitude was far out into space compared to my classmates because of working on a dairy farm and fixing the farm trucks, implements, equipment, and anything that mechanically required maintenance or repair. The largest job i done on the farm was at the age of 14, I was tasked to fix the PTO on a International 1086 tractor that we used for cutting hay, spreading manure, feeding cattle, baling hay, and the PTO for the auger to drig up post holes but in Missouri unfortunately we grow rocks around here so we keep plenty of pins since they inevitably will shear. Vocational school in my era was good for learning the basics but the diagnostic tools for OBD2 was the latest standard we could not afford so we were told, I became a very successful self taught line tech, I absorbed it like a sponge until I became a senior master tech specializing in drivability for gas or diesel trucks. These kids have way better opportunity to be successful versus my generation did.
I got my current job as an equipment mechanic with a specialization in small engines because i worked at a hardware store unloading trucks and fixed a minor problem with my forklift and the bosses were like "omg. you know how to use a screwdriver. you should be our Stihl guy". so they sent me to texas to learn small engines from Stihl. and wanted to pay $11/hr... so i found a shop that needed help and they saw my training and asked if i had any experience with big equipment and ive been around machines my entire life so of course i said that i did and now i fix everything from chainsaws and weedeaters to big Kubota excavators and I love it!
I'm here for Faye and the Hadley Hens. I'm too old to turn wrenches anymore. I enjoy several channels including yours that remind me of the good old days. You supplied great info for the young folk who want to start a career as an auto technitian/mechanic. All the best to you and Brandon.
As a 20 year tech that does this everyday, Im excited to see Faye. I went to tech school with a few women but havent worked woth any. She has such an accurate positive view of this industry. Good for her and good for anyone getting encouragement or confidence based on her content. Shes Awesome!
I created and worked with friends building (local Chevelle club). We eventually did drag racing and learned tricks (hard work needed) to go faster and safer. You got it Faye!😅
Attention to detail like your working on your own car is a must nowadays. Granted I'm a Toyota proper nut, but I am tired of fixing things I paid someone else to do.
Hi from West Texas. I Just found out about your channel and I have to tell you that you are doing a great deed to provide information to the people who are interested in working with cars. Glad to know there is a woman in youtube that really cares about fixing cars and providing help to gear heads.
I always worry about putting too much on my résumé, or what to include, so it's nice to hear how you handled it. We have a lot in common with our experience and stuff! Thanks, Faye 🥰
Fantastic lesson on resumes! This is what you need to do, right down to one page information and the rest addendums if needed. Great first resume advice. Follow this for success everyone.👍🏻
Great information! As a retired Service Manager, I always looked for ASE Certifications when hiring as well. Preferably a Master Tech, Air Conditioning Certified, someone with a few Certifications to show they are serious about the work they do. It looks good to customers to see your shop is not hiring unqualified lunkheads.
Found it really helpful. I transitioned from an Aviation Mechanic in the Army to a Technician at a rental company. The last 3 years at this company and previous 4 years in army aviation I've learned more in my entire life. Great video's. I'm glad I found your channel. Always looking for an opportunity even though I am pretty loyal to my company. Never stop looking
I am that guy Shelby was talking about when he said " There are some people that have to do a thing it obsesses them. If they can"t do it it will drive them clean out of there mind." ( Ford vs. Ferrari )I think that statement may apply to you as well. thank you.
I am not a mechanic but in IT. Your advice is 100% on the spot for even for people who would like to get into IT without a degree in CS. You are very concise and accurate with the information provided here. This also highlight that you should not go into trades (including IT) because you want to earn money, but because you have passion for trades. Projects you do on your own time highlight your passion. This gave me an idea for a video I should do on how to get your foot in IT industry without a degree. :)
I applied to work for Lexus as a Valet and they asked me if I'd like to be trained to work on cars, genuinely never even thought of being a mechanic but 5 years later here I am. I had computer/phone repair on my resume because I built/repaired my computer and replaced phone screens/batteries when I worked for Staples. I've also trained a bunch of kids who started as Valets and just asked if they could work on cars. If you're not getting any interviews when you apply to mechanic positions try Valet/Lot Attendant, get your foot in the door show them you're a hard worker and there's a good chance they'll be willing to train you.
Awsome last 2 vids Faye, (they all are to be honest👌) Anyway what a great idea to put out there. Same how I started, 40+years ago, if your a petrol head the very best start to give yourself is go to a junk yard, find a barn find or look into the local ads for something you like that is cheap, After all it will be something you love later on and probably one of the nicest, safest vehicles on the road, no matter what it looks like. Spend little as it will be your pride and joy when you finish but get something that's got potential, it needs a few dents, welding, maybe a broken window or 2, get a project car but something u want, love, or just puts that smile on your face when u look at it. Don't rush it guys, and don't give your 1st project anytime frame. Read all Safety 1st, especially on jacking, supporting, suspension, moving parts etc, Strip it down to the last plastic/metal clip, restore the underside, then put it back together, save, spend, save rebuild, plenty to get on with in the meantime, it don't have to be new parts but replace everything that's broken, even if it's just to understand how it comes apart and to put it back together, you'll know by now how much of a petrol head you are. It's the only way to teach yourself properly, of course it'll take time, but a knowledge that no one else can give you, you will scratch your head a lot, you will spend lots of time researching, but the bottom line is you will know every tiny inch of that car/motorcycle etc by the time you finish. And later on if something squeeks when your driving it by know you will know exactly where to look, a great learning curve, You'll make friends along the way, tell them what your doing, and don't be discouraged, you will have others coming to look, help and give you knowledge, Faye is spot on here, and it will be an experience you will carry with you forever. wow Faye that did inspire me, and remind me of my younger days, a million memories came flooding in then thanx, Keep up the good work Faye, ❤
Hi Faye just saw a new supra like your blue one all in white and had a baby spoiler right behind the rear window and a heart shaped led light next to the back up like, it was awesome.
I enjoy all your videos you Rock, thx for having time for RU-vid, your a very strong and independent woman, I hope to see you out on trails when I start to travel.
Great video, but I think a video outlining what life is like in this industry would be more helpful. I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, but too many people jump into this industry and it chews them up and spits them out. From being overworked and underpayed, to falling into massive debt with tool trucks, to the high technician turnover rates. There is a lot that is kept from prospective technicians who are considering this trade.
Since I really only talk from personal experience on my channel, this would not be a good video for me to make, and honestly isn't relatable to me. But I definitely recommend that you make one if this is your experience!!!
@FayeHadley I am not a content creator, it just makes me sad and angry at the same time watching people go into debt for schooling and tools and not even make it a year or two in the industry. I just wish there was more realistic information about what to expect when entering this industry.
I love all the Volkswagen content in this video. Especially the old mk1 diesel goodness. I'm currently working on a Rabbit pickup getting a mk3 TDi swap. Fml.
🥰 I would love to be a mechanic actually I enjoy working on my 4Runner! Maybe I’ll try to shift jobs. Doing something for a living you enjoy is worth everything!
I think one of the main reason that Faye is so informative in this space is that she has both formal education as well as hands on experience. So she can more easily convey what a "professional" shop would be looking for in a entry level hire. And you thought she was just good for Toyota repair tutorials huh??? SMH. 🤦🤦♀🤦🤦♂🤦♀
You're a talented and intelligent young lady and I enjoy your videos as I am looking for a pickup truck but the prices especially used are pricey so I would like to find a cheaper and older pickup truck and put some elbow grease into it.
Faye, thanks for sharing. We need more people entering the trades. If I may add, if you are applying for a position that will give you face time with the customer, you should emphasize that experience as well. As a self taught home mechanic, I always appreciate a mechanic that has the ability to explain what broke, perhaps why it broke/failed, and what needs to be done to fix it without making the customer feel dumb. This goes a long way to instilling customer confidence.
Once again you're a wealth of knowledge! I never would have thought to put any of these on a resume because I wouldn't think an employer would be interested in my life story LOL. But the way you described it... Makes total 100 percent sense! I'm incredibly fortunate to have a shop in my back yard and my bosses are my dad and brother. Not trying to be self centered it's just something I appreciate and don't take lightly. And if you read my comment on your last video you do know my life story LOL. I know one critical thing you forgot. Experience with a coffee maker! I have 10 years experience myself and know where to buy the best beans and the best brand of coffee maker 🤣. That's more of a joke but I believe that just like good food, good coffee makes good morale LOL. Thanks for doing this. Great job as always!
In any ambition, show initiative using Faye’s outline. I did all of these for for Aviation. Volunteered at the local museum, worked on project cars, maintained local farmer’s tractors (they were happy to show me how to do the work). Hang out at small airports to fly with locals. Or even get involved with the civil air patrol. Excellent video. I have my Pilot’s license, A&P and Avionics degree. I travel the world to work on planes.
SCCA, check! ..raced againstVW RabbitGTI; Tools,! (..till they were stolen so only slowly rebuilding); very athletic in life!; Worked organizations upper ranks with cutting edge ideas that benefited the clubs' presidge among national standards; ect..😅
Great advice and all good tips. I know some great mechanics that never have formal training and learned else where or on the job. One extra skill that is desired would be technology skills such as computers or typing. Most shops us computers for diagnosis and also for work orders!
This is about what I did, but man I honestly I'm glad I got out of it now. I LOVE wrenching on cars more than anything, but i found out fast that I'd rather keep it a hobby instead. I will say thiugh, I may be out of it, but im involved in it again. Now im a Matco distributor, and I couldn't be happier. It brought me back into that familiar environment, dealing with like mind d and similar people.
I never did any of these. I just started at a jiffy lube and then kept applying at real shops until they finally gave me opportunity to be a GS. Then just worked my way up to tech
Faye, you should be a spokesperson for automotive technician recruiting! We are desperately looking for young talent to come into the field, especially at the dealership level! PS I received a friend request from you on Facebook from someone imitating you.... I just sent a screenshot to my friend Bri bragging that you sent it 😂🤣😂
I came from a family owned shop. Been wrenching my whole life. Ase certified at 17. When I went to go out on my own, I had trouble getting hired. I was told several times that I was over qualified. In the end I had to not list qualifications.
My lone critique, is that wherever you jumped off that gave express techs their own gear was definitely an anomaly outside of the western states. I started off and am still in NYS. We get our own equipment. Unless you go to school and use a special program, yer on yer own. I still use old style HF stuff. Now almost 5+ hrs in. I don’t think proof of tooling is a must, but definitely source them first and be able to produce on demand. Other than that, dead on ma’am.
Faye can you help me out please I'm a level 2 qualified mechanic and Ive worked in a workshop for 15years but I've hit a wall im getting sick of working really hard for my boss to have a champagne lifestyle while I earn lemonade money if that makes sense I've asked and asked about a pay rise and all he says yes I'll sort it but never happens so I'm seriously considering starting out as a mobile tech but what I wanted to know how do you get your own customers please if you can give me some information I would really appreciate it 😊
Can do oil changes, air filter, brakes, spark pkugs, tire rotations. Any person that has done that to their own car has a bit of knowledge and some work ethic. Rather do the simple things themselves, which people should do, rather then pay a shop.
Hell no!! Especially not these days when a lot of repairs are electrical and software updates! As you get into your 50s and '60s, you can specialize in something that takes less physical strength and more brain power! What am I close friends got into studying automotive in her early '40s, and now at 45 she just got her first job at a Honda dealership and is loving it!! I don't think that that's a limit you have to place on yourself at all.
Faye been mechanic for over 40 Years and have digital portfolio I show employers I takenpics of every car I do work on. I'm a motor and tranny installer in st Louis
As a hiring employee….. I check hands first. If you have soft clean hands….. nope. If you try to lie about how much you know…..nope. I’m going to teach you so please forget everything you think you.
I consider my self a damn good mechanic. I just don't do it full time and therefore my hands are soft and clean. Back when I worked at a tire and lube shop my hands still stayed soft. I naturally just have soft hands no matter how much work I do.
Anyone know if this would work in the UK? I have 40 years of experience working on vehicles that I've owned, I've had engines and gearboxes out, not just routine maintenance. I still doubt that a garage could or would be allowed to employ me though??
Its doesn't matter what you put. You cant find techs anymore. No one wants to work in this field anymore. So there just hiring anyone. And as a hiring manager i dont care about any of what you mentioned when hiring. Everyone is looking for a person that looks like they want to learn and can show up to work. So if your just starting out. Just let them know your Eager to learn. And dependable. But you better show up to work on time every day.
I just had a thing pop up about that power pulse battery maintainer thing. I remember that was on the Subaru you did the video about resetting the low oil level light. I still have no clue how or if that thing does anything. the dude said it pulses the battery to remove sulfate from the lead plates to make the batteries live longer. I don't know about that.
