Related Career Categories

• Auto Body Technician
• Auto Mechanic

School and Career Surprises: Tips From People on the Job

Career: "I was surprised at how cut throat of an industry it is. I was not prepared for the communication that was involved to succeed. I was also surprised to find it was very difficult to trust anybody."

Best & Worst Things About This Career

"The thing I enjoy most about being an auto mechanic is using both my hands and my mind to fix something that is broken. And the pay's good too. But the job has its challenges as well, and there are times when I get under a car to fix the brakes, for example, when I can prompt a cascade of secondary problems by making just a single mistake."

"The best part of my job is solving a difficult auto repair problem that has stumped other automotive shops. The worst is getting so many sales calls from insurance and security alarm systems sales people."

Tips for Succeeding in This Career

"Although I have taken several courses and workshops in auto repair training, I have to say that the best training came from working on cars on the job. Fixing cars can be tricky at times so it really helps when I am familiar with a particular make and model of a car. But you also need patience in dealing with customers, especially those who are already upset that their cars have broken down. A final piece of advice I would offer to someone entering the field would be to try to get certified in many different areas of repair. From inspection stickers to fixing large diesel trucks, everything you learn will pay off in your work."

"Be sure to be a good listener, when talking with the customers, and remember all your people skills. Another good skill is delegating the work to other employees for problem solving. I often hold meetings to get input from key people as to how they would have handled difficult situations. getting to know your customers is so important. Some just would do anything to repair their automobile and others want to know all the details."