New Job

[2005vzute]

G'day fellas,
i've applied for a new job...it's a bus mechanic job with STA..very well setup job, a sweet deal, almost too good to be true...i really need this job..i have a 16 grand car to pay off..plus i want to modify it..anyways, there were 154 applicants i believe and it's been narrowed down to 36..they're hiring 15...im up for a final interview this thursday and don't want to f*ck up...especially if my old man is sitting next to me...is there anything you guys can point out to me..questions they may ask and responses i should give (why should i employ you rather then this other person? etc)...like i said, really don't wanna f*ck this up.
im a year 10 drop out and got the sack from my last job just as i bought the car..lucky my parents bought the car and im in debt to them rather then a bank (even though i can't get a loan yet)..so it's kinda flexible..i've been job hunting to be a mechanic in sydney area for 4 months now and this is the closest i've gotten so far...f*ck knows what i'll do if i don't get this job...any questions i should ask reffering to the job/tafe?

thanks heaps guys n girls

[Huntington]

I would start by using better langauge in the interview, whats acceptable in the workshop isnt the same in an interview. Dont mention your a drop out, if they ask, try to put a different spin on it, ie I admit i struggled throughout my schooling, I am much more suited to a hands on role than desk work and I have proven this ..... however. same goes for why you got the sack, it wasnt because the boss was a dick head or anything like that, answers like that would make you sound like an arrogrant prick with a know all attitude, so put a different spin on that story too.

Dont beg, be proud, be confident, find examples in anything you can, have you modded a car before? use that, my love of the automotive industry etc etc.
why would your old man be sitting next to you? Your interview, you need to own it, not have someone holding your hand, you need to show your keen, up for whatever they throw at you, have no restrictions to inhibited work.... loss of licence, cant work saturdays that kind of thing, when they ask if your willing to do something, you say yes, i would love the chance to learn that.... even if it means lossing your drinking sessions or big nights out.

I never hire anyone if they come in and start telling me they really want the job but can only work certain times... specially if its for lame reasons like going out clubbing or bullshit like that. so dont give them any reason to believe your not 100% committed to the job over anything else.

Good luck

[2005vzute]

haha suppose i should've mentioned this earlier...im still 16...my dad might want to come into the interview koz he works for state rail...so there's a bit of a relationship between the 2...as for the langauge i know how to talk to an interviewer, done it many times before..i just gotta be aware of what to say..they want my school certificate and course results..school certificate went good but what am i meant to say when they see history and english course outcomes as D haha...i did have a wanker history teacher and an indian english teacher i could barely understand, but thats besides the point and it probably isn't an excuse...is there any questions about the job i shoud be asking...i don't know what depot or suburb im working in, and i dunno about tafe yet..i do know about the pay and conditions etc...oh yes, as for drinking and nights out and clubbing, as i said im only 16..so i pretty much wake up, go to work, come home, and do my own thing at home...how can i show im 100% committed and keen for the job without seeming too desperate..i am desperate for job though haha..thanks for the advice champ

[Ace_VP]

Not meaning to put you down mate but how can a 16yr old have done an interview many times before? Im thirty and have only done a couple.

You need to talk the talk, as huntington said you need to sell yourself, tell them why they need you.

As for the D in english etc, blaming the teacher is a cop out, but some people arent good at english and history etc and employers know this. I was never good at english but was good at maths and science, if this is the case with you it can work in your favour because maths and science is more applicable to a mechanics job than english is.

Sell to them how you love working with your hands, make sure you are up with how an engine works, sounds stupid but when I applied for a mechanics position in year 10 they asked me if could explain how an engine powers a car. Read up and know your stuff. Do a bit of research on the business you are applying with, know what they do and who they do it for etc, it shows you have taken an interest and keen. Also mention that you would be keen to do a week trial period to show them you can do it, then if they agree work your arse off.

Matt

[trav_304]

yep just show them u know wat ur on about. Focus on ur good points rather than bad. You dont need to be a whiz at english but dont sound like ur dumb either you know wat i mean. Be confident. My advice anyway. good luck

[2005vzute]

oh..just about having to do interviews many times before..starting from the beginning of my working life.i had to do an interview for donut king (nothing special)..went through the same sort of thing for a bunnings warehouse job..there was a hell of a lot of people applying for this job as it was a brand new store..i cant remember the exact number but i was one of 130 that got employed for the job..i was pulled out of school a bit earlier then the rest of the year 10 leavers to do a pre apprenticeship, i had to do 3 interviews for this...the point of the pre apprenticeship was to get a leg in the door, i would work 2 days a week for nothing at a dealership to show them what i was made of, out of 30 people, i was one of 3 chosen to do work experience there..the other 2 were 18, they were only lookin for 2 people, holden(the dealership i got into) said that they would have loved to take me and said with what i know i may be just as smart as some of their 2nd year apprentices, the thing that let me down was that i didn't have my licence...this exact thing happened with 1 other dealership..the 3rd dealership said they would employ me and wanted me to start the following week, but i turned it down because it didn't seem like a very secure job and wasn't a nice workshop to work in..and they were extremely low on work..i mean like, i have no problem wiht getting paid to do nothing, however, the whole point of doin an apprenticeship is to learn the trade..they offered me an extra 50 a week over other apprentices just to stay, but i still turned it down...my last job was with holden, (different to the one previously mentioned)...this was a very dominant and intimidating set up...you know how it goes, the office with the big boss and the high chair, very formal etc...however, i got the job..sometimes when i was doin a job, my boss would come out and ask me questions about what i was doing..at this time i was working with a qualified technician replacing cam followers on a gen3 v8...the boss came out and quizzed me on how the whole cam and valve system worked (what they do, how it works, what makes the valves move, cam lobe run out etc)..i answered every one of his questions perfectly and he was stunned, he even said i was smarter then their 19 year old(also a 6 month old first year) apprentice who has had 3 jobs in the trade(her dad was in the army so she was travelling a bit)..anywho...i really know my stuff and think im rather smart for a 1st year apprentice..getting 2nd highest in the class at tafe (losing to a 28 year old that was a parts interpreter for 6 years)...so yea, as you can see i've had to do a bit of dickin around with interviews before....i think this interview is going to be another very dominant and intimidating one though..i had to do a test in their head office in the city (sydney) and its one big place, people in suits, very strict set up...luckily for me, there is only going ot be 2 people on the panel for the interview, rather then other jobs where it's been 3 or 4...oh yes, that reminds me..i had an interview to work on porsche and bmw etc..i got to the final interview, but i don't think i was fancy car material anyway

anywhooo, thanks for your input fellas..any more advice will be greatly appreciated

[Ace_VP]

by the sounds of that you dont need our help, for a 16yr old you have done alot.

I was a teacher for nearly 7 years before my current job and helped many a student in your position secure trainee ships etc

Good luck with it, let us know how you go.

[trav_304]

i dont think you have ne thing to worry bout sound pretty smart good luck

[2005vzute]

do ya's really think so..i mean like..when i went for that test i was the youngest there...i dunno if that has anything to do with it, but still...from what i've seen the people are aged between 20-30...i suppose when i when i think about how much i've done i've gotten a fair leg in the door over other people my age...hmm, interesting..thanks for the advice and tips again everyone..if you's need a hand with anything at all i'll gladly help you out as much as i can ..oh yea, i'll let yas know how i go with the job
cheers

[CSP]

"sound pretty smart"

then

"do ya's really think so?"

LOL!!! Not to mention PAYING OFF a $16k car. My Amex limit is more than that! Hahahaha...

Sewriously though, if they want you, they'll hire you. All you can do is your best. If that's not good enough for them, then they won't hire you. I don't know why people get all worried about what to do to get a job. Isn't it a given just to do your best?

[ClairBear]

Seeing as you left school so young, here is some advice for nothing:

1. The word you cannot be made plural - ewes are female sheep. Therefore when someone says "what are yous doing today?" if you read it in the context of female sheep it sounds quite stupid.

2. Learn to use paragraphs instead of three or four dots. Your post above is not easy to read as there is no break and it's hard on the eye.

3. Download a spell checker.

[CSP]

LOL!!! All good advice!

[2005vzute]

ahaha, funny you mention the thing about paragraphs..my computer's being a bit of an idiot at the moment...every time i try to write a comment it will mess up, i press the enter button and it turns into a space..sometimes i get it..sometimes i can't..this laptop's on it's way to gettin itself thrown out the window

:Oit's working for me this time...ahhahahaha, ^^ was that to say that i sound pretty smart..then i come back with "do yas really think so" haha, it's funny how people can see things like that, it took me a coupla times to get the joke, then it hit me haha..

as for spelling, i like to type/ write as i would talk in person, except in a formal situation..resumes ect...i think it makes it easier for other people to understand me haha

yea, the thing is with the car, i have no work, i have about 12 grand to pay off on it..plus insurance etc, i need money to keep it running and it's getting a majjjooorrr service very soon haha, thankgod for flexible parents(not physically) ahaha, yick, thats gross just thinking about it haha...umm but yea, i've been searching for 4 months and this is the perfect job..it's a sweet package paying out big dollars..which is just what i need to start paying stuff off...having a gf doesn't help either..i don't like not taking her out much anymore..but yea..i really hope i get this job

anyway, if i can help you guys out with cars or anything let me know and i'll see what i can do for yas

cheers

[ari666]

ahaha, funny you mention the thing about paragraphs..my computer's being a bit of an idiot at the moment...every time i try to write a comment it will mess up, i press the enter button and it turns into a space..

yeah i get that too. internet explorer. i found it you hit the "compatibility view" button, which is next to refresh at the top of screen it fixes it.

anyway. as people has said already, dont sound like a dumbarse. dont speak to the interviewee as if it was one of you mates. that person needs respect, but they also need to know that you are the right person for the job. read a book a couple of days before your interview. dont watch TV dont play computer games and stay away from spliff or beer. you will be amazed at the amount of braincells that can resurface if you just give them a chance. you need to be freshly shaven and clean.

always use strong eye contact during the interview and BELIEVE in what you are saying. believe it or not it is really difficult to lie while making strong eye contact, so if what your saying borderlines on truth it wont matter if you make yourself believe.

the main thing is you have to WANT the job. if you only want it to pay off your debts then dont bother. if you want it cos' you want to learn a trade and be a valuable asset to the company, then you will stand out from the other applicants.

p.s. a lot of mechanics drop out in year 10, its not the most intelligent trade in the world. youll be fine.

good luck.

[2005vzute]

thanks mate..hmm, i might have to use that as an experiment haha, with the whole braincells thing haha...i agree it's not the most intelligent..but hey, its got some good scientific stuff in there that can help you with a lot of other things...but you can make being mechanic a smart trade or not...im getting high 80's to low 90 percent marks in my tafe tests...the other 2 thirds ofthe class are dumbarses because they dont pay attention...seriously, at the end of each lesson, we pretty much have the lesson all over again with the amount of questions these idiots ask..you can reallllyyy learn alot...which is what i wanna do..however, when i was told that there was big money is diesel mechanics, i didn't realise they meant double a car mechanic

i'd be learning pretty much the same thing(an engine's an engine, they all work the same, just differently)...however, missing out on the electonic side of things a bit with cars..but that doesnt matter koz things like air brakes will make up for that haha..anywaysss, if i get this job, might end up moving to W.A and doing some mechanic work over ther in the mines...my dads mate is sitting on BIIGGGGG money, and said they're screamin for mechanics..so there won't be any shortage of work...

oh yes..and at tafe with one of my teachers being a performance specialist previously, and building a vy race car(very nice and loud), lots of work done to it...it helps alot with some of his stories he can tell...i can't remember how the story goes, i think he kept geting a voltage drop of 0.5 volts or something..anyways..he found that with this disimilar metal on this engine he had (cast iron block, alloy head), that the coolant and the 2 metals had turn itself into a battery haha, crazy stuff huh

anyways, got abit of track there, thanks for the advice, if there's any more out there keep it coming
cheers everyone

[Jesterarts]

Relax, don't talk shit, don't try and talk yourself up just tell it like it is.

In regards to dropping out of school, don't try to put a positive spin on it or any of that crap, they'll see right through it.

Just tell them you dropped out because you didn't think finishing school would benefit you long term in the career's you were interested in. Simple.

An interview means they've decided you've got the skills they are looking for on paper and want to see what kind of person you are to judge if they could want to work with you.

Good luck with it.

[torana355]

Ok i don't like to brag but i seem to have a knack of being very good in interviews. The main thing is to be confident without sounding like you are full of crap. Tell it exactly how it is!! Having great grades or a HSC does not mean much when it comes to getting a job like the one you are going for in the real world. Any real world experience and willingness to learn is what counts. Show this in the interview and you will be shortlisted 9/10.

[Ace_VP]

Seeing as you left school so young, here is some advice for nothing:

1. The word you cannot be made plural - ewes are female sheep. Therefore when someone says "what are yous doing today?" if you read it in the context of female sheep it sounds quite stupid.

2. Learn to use paragraphs instead of three or four dots. Your post above is not easy to read as there is no break and it's hard on the eye.

3. Download a spell checker.

Some capital letters and punctuation wouldnt kill him either.

You will learn mate, you seem to have your head screwed on, especially when compared to others your age.
on everyone, no one likes a smart arse know it all. Youu are there to learn so sit back and listen and ask questions when you need to. Matt
Some more advice for when you get the job.You seem to know alot but dont force this

[2005vzute]

i went to reply to you guys but it was verryyy long and it didn't send anyway, so i'll make this one short haha

even though i know what im talking about in many cases i don't be a smart arse or tease anyone or anything like that, i only get pissed off when i have to listen to a tafe teachers say his sentences twice because some idiots weren't paying attention in the first place.

the reason i left in year 10 was because i didn't think school would benefit me and if i could, i would only have turned up for science, maths, timber and electronics..that's all that has really benefitted me, anyways, it's been a good 8 months since my last job interview so i thought i might have needed some advice to get myself back on track.

i will be taking in my current tafe results which i reckon are awesome...im a little weak on the more advanced side of electronics, but im not too shabby with it

sorry i lied, this post wasn't so short after all haha

well, i better wrap this up...every that's replied has definatly re assured me and prepared me abit more for this interview, so thanks everyone, any more advice and tips are still mch appreciated

[Ace_VP]

Speaking from a teaechers point of view I disagree with the compulsory 17yr age limit for leaving school. As with 2005VZute not everyone benefits from school. I tought many kids who were angles in my practical based Ag and science classes but were massive behavioural problems in english and theory based subjects. Staying in school past year 10 is only a benefit if you want to go to UNI.

The government needs to step up and address this. I agree that kids under 17 shouldnt be allowed to leave school cause they hate it but if they want to pursue a trade then they should be able to. Whilst kids under 17 can leave if they have meaningful employment more needs to be done by the government to help these kids who arent academically talented. I think someone who can stip and rebuild an engine is equally as smart as someone who can write the perfect essay. To much emphasis is placed on exams these days and it disadvantages students who are better at other things.

[2005vzute]

:O why couldn't i have teachers like you at my school haha, i totally agree but...my brother left in year 10 to do IT, he's now a network manager of a BT(westpac, st george etc) brance and is earning 6 figures a year and only 26..my sister on the other hand went through shitloads in year 11 and 12, has gone to uni and suffered alot, she's rather smart but with the shit they give her is redonculous, i used to do all nighters on a school night with her just so she could finish her assignments for uni...anyways, she'll be going into casual teaching soon i think to earn some big dollars..theres some points system going on that i don't quite understand, something about if she teaches a rural public school or a "ferel" school, it will be easier for her to get a job else where because you have more points by teaching in these sorts of places...so thats the plan i think.

anyway, after seeing my brother leave year 10 to do what he wanted to do and be earning big dollars and not having that much stress on him, comparing him to my sister who is doing what she's doing, getting a shitload of pressure put on her to only just be making the money and getting into the business, i think i've made up my mind..im not committed to paperwork stuff, i'd rather strip and rebuild an engine in a week rather then write a 2 page essay or something.

even if year 11 and 12 and uni was easy, i still wouldn't have gone, it's no use to me..unless i wanted to do specific courses like welding or something, then i would go, but mechanic is what i wanna do and thats what im gunna be..bugger the paperwork and gimme something to work on

as for leaving when your 17, stuff that...i mean like, year 10 students should be allowed to leave only if they have intentions and proof of getting a decent job or trade, or going into different studies like tafe...if theres no proof and they have the intention to be a dole bludger, stuff em, keep em in..i know plenty of people that are doing exactly that, so they do have a point in making them stay till 17.

only 3 more days till the interview..gotta get out me suit and sprouse it up i think haha, that reminds me, i should go have a look for my school shoes and polish em up haha

cheers everyone

[CSP]

Speaking from a teaechers point of view I disagree with the compulsory 17yr age limit for leaving school. As with 2005VZute not everyone benefits from school. I tought many kids who were angles in my practical based Ag and science classes but were massive behavioural problems in english and theory based subjects. Staying in school past year 10 is only a benefit if you want to go to UNI.

Oh dear!!! You're a teacher??? God help the students. Especially the angled ones... Were they right angles? It'd suck to be a right angle.

I do have some faith though as it appears you're from New Zealand (based on wanting someone to "stip up") so maybe not adversely affecting the education of Aussie kids.

[CSP]

the shit they give her is redonculous

LMAO!!!! Funniest thing I've read in a while!!!

[2005vzute]

hahahaha, my brother said redonculous to me a while ago haha, then i saw it on shrek 3 when donkey says to puss in boots "your a cat-astrophe"..and the cat said to donkey, "thats redonculous" hahaha

[Tsunamix]

Tip for dealing with interviews. Be Honest. Don't color the truth. If necessary - be brutally honest.

You will gain more respect for paininting yourself as honest at the expense of your self, than anything else. People see the honesty, and are inclined to trust you. If your prepared to say you 'f**ked up' when you did, it makes life easier for them. Less stuffing around finger pointing, less politics, and more importantly that sense of trust - everyone's allowed to make mistakes in business, but anyone who lies about making mistakes gets penalised double.

You will need to be able to articulate clearly. The best way to do this is to listen tothe questions, then stop and think about what point you are trying to make. It's ok - if not really good to wait a bit and answer carefully. If makes you appear as one who weighs his words, thinks before acting and quite possibly acts decisiveley. Don't um and ah, don't play for time - if you need to think a bit more ask for a moments time. It's ok to be careful, and certain, but to appear glib, disorganised and uncertain is fatal.

If they ask you - why should we choose you over anyone else (and they often will), then tell them "You probably shouldn't. My skills are no better than the guy next to me, they are just different". Why ? because we are all human beings and we are all equal. Otherwise you will come across as trying to be better than everyone else - INCLUDING the interviewer. You don't know who you are up against so don't assume you are better, faster, quietr cleaner, whatever you simply don't know. It's a trick question, and don't fall into it.

Alot of people say "try and be the man they want to hire". This is a MISTAKE. You need to be you, and hoe that they want to hire you - because if you appear to be Larry Perkins in a workshop, and your not, your going to be treated as a fake and dishonest. It's ok to want to be Larry Perkins though.

If you can, try and set an air of ease. Say Please and Thank you. Courtesy and poise will win you more callbacks than having more spanner twirling skills than the entire Triple8 workshops.

Good Luck.