automotive mechanic

What does an automotive mechanic do each day? Your exact tasks will vary depending on where you're working and what customers you have. Generally, your responsibilities would fall into these categories:

• diagnosing problems: You'll look at various vehicles that don't work and figure out what went wrong. Diagnosis requires you to have a full understanding of how an automotive vehicle should run.
• repairing problems: Once you figure out what's wrong, it is your responsibility to fix it. This involves both physical and mental labor. You'll use tools and machines to remove damage, install new parts, and get everything running again. Some technicians may specialize in certain areas of repair like electronics or glass repair.
• maintaining vehicles: Some mechanics also perform maintenance such as oil changes. These routine tasks can involve swapping out parts or adding materials to help a car run optimally.
• placing parts orders: At most automotive shops, you are involved in some paperwork and team communication as well. When you're working on a car, you'll need to follow your employer's procedures for requesting new parts and materials. All of this needs to be carefully tracked to ensure that inventory and billing function properly.
• following safety procedures: Automotive shops have extensive safety requirements you need to follow. It will be your job to remain aware of and comply with all government safety requirements. This can include things like wearing protective gear and maintaining proper clearance spaces.

If you like excitement and don't want to be stuck at a desk all day, this is a good job for you. Being an automotive mechanic often means working in a busy and physically demanding environment. The typical work environment for a mechanic is a large garage with several different bays where various employees work on tasks. Auto shops are often partially exposed to the outdoors and may only have minimal heating and cooling. The environment is very loud and can involve high temperatures, exposed electricity, and caustic chemicals. All of these factors mean you need to be comfortable working in busy areas and capable of following safety guidelines.

Most of the people you interact with on a daily basis will be other mechanics. Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues could include store clerks, salespeople, or auto assembly workers. You also often end up working in close proximity with support staff like administrative assistants and HR managers. In some jobs, you also interact with other specialists that could include, but are not limited to, welders and millwrights.

Since you'll need to be there when the business is open, you often end up working during the day. Though this job doesn't have a lot of third-shift work, it does sometimes require working on weekends. Your schedule typically includes shifts sometime between 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on any day of the week. Shifts often last around eight hours, but some jobs may offer overtime opportunities. A great thing about this career is its flexibility. There are a lot of full-time and part-time jobs available. Some mechanics choose full-time schedules that let them work while their kids are in school, and others pick a part-time weekend job for extra cash. Many jobs will let you move your availability around, so you aren't always stuck working the same schedule every week.

The BLS projects that auto mechanic jobs will only grow by 1% in the next decade. This growth rate means that there would be about 73,300 new job openings each year. The growth rate is slower than national averages for other jobs because the increasing popularity of electric vehicles would reduce vehicle maintenance needs. However, mechanics who can specialize in electronic systems and electric vehicles would be more in demand.

If you don't want to make this job your permanent career, you have many opportunities for advancement. Some mechanics use their experience to become shop foremen, auto shop owners, or floor supervisors. In addition to higher-level positions in the same field, you can also use your experience to pivot to other related industries. Mechanics could use their vehicle knowledge to become car insurance adjusters, car dealership salespeople, or other similar jobs.

Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:

• being paid weekly
• flexibility
• always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
• many training opportunities
• a range of jobs in your area

Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as automotive mechanic is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!

Though this job is highly skilled, it doesn't require a college degree. You can become a mechanic with only a high-school diploma. Though no secondary schooling is needed to find a good mechanic job, it is often helpful. There are several trade schools and associate's degrees that provide helpful knowledge for future mechanics. If you want to get ahead in your career, you could consider a degree in automotive technology or automotive repair.

Many companies are happy to provide training on the job for entry-level positions, but higher-level jobs would require you to have some experience. Two to four years of experience shows that you already know a lot about how cars work, so you can start performing diagnostics and repairs right away. You also have the option of getting various certifications to show that you understand vehicles. The most popular certifications are from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

No matter what level of education and training you have, it's important to have these essential skills:

• physical strength: Typically, mechanics need to be able to lift at least 50 pounds. Though the entire job isn't heavy lifting, you need to be able to hold things like body panels or engine components while you install them.
• mechanical skills: It's important to understand various engine components and vehicle systems. You need to be able to look at vehicles and know how each part affects the others.
• manual dexterity: Mechanics need steady hands, the ability to precisely place small parts, and excellent coordination. You'll need to be comfortable doing things like installing screws or mounting components at odd angles.
• troubleshooting skills: A lot of your job will rely on your ability to find and resolve problems. Good mechanics can work independently and use creative thinking to solve problems.
• communication skills: Not all of your job is done by yourself. You'll need to talk with customers to understand the car's problems and talk with coworkers to get the right parts and tools. It's important to be able to communicate clearly and speak in a polite, professional manner.

Different cars have different designs, so it's common for shops to want mechanics who specialize in popular cars. Many shops look for people who have experience with Fords, Toyotas, Hondas, or other similar brands. Though less common, you can also specialize in niches like luxury vehicles, out-of-production brands, or electric cars.

Almost all commonly used certifications are ASE certifications. This organization offers a variety of different certifications to choose from. Some useful options include the A series for automobiles, the B series for collision repair, and the T series for medium and heavy trucks.

These two job titles are often used interchangeably, but they technically refer to two separate positions. Mechanics usually work more with mechanical components while technicians handle the electrical systems and computers in the car. However, there's quite a bit of overlap between the two, so take the time to look at job listings for both technicians and mechanics.

Your uniform usually consists of some type of durable coveralls along with gloves and safety glasses. Certain tasks like painting may require a mask, and if your shop is loud, you might need ear protection.

Everyone has different challenges, but most mechanics say the trickiest thing is the required attention to detail. You have to work quickly and efficiently, but you still need to pay close attention or things might not work well. This job tends to be ideal for people who can focus and perform repetitive tasks without slipping up.

Applying for an automotive mechanic job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our automotive mechanic jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!