equipment mechanic practical test

[brain55]

Congrats Brian! With all the hoops you've had to jump through and the delays, it's a darn good thing you aren't out of a job and starving.:thumbdown: Also, isn't it kinda hard to get all that time off to go to all those interviews without your current employer getting a little bit suspicious? Sometimes the process by itself can really beat you up. I'm glad you're able to stick with it.:thumbsup:

I'm self-employed at the moment. I was laid off from my last job last April. I had known for nearly a year that I was probably going to be out of work, so I reestablished the mobile equipment repair business I had before I went to work for my customer turned employer. Business has been really slow due to the economy, most of my business came from landscape contractors (little new building and reduced equity has hurt that business more than I expected). I have a few good customers that cover my overhead but not much more. My wife has steady work and income but we still seem to be going in the hole every month so I figured with a job like this (7:30 - 3:30, weekends off) I could still take care of most of the customers that I have, and get good steady income and benefits.

Brian

 

[irvingj]

Glad to hear you're still in the running... and what a convoluted race it appears to be! I'm sure you're right about keeping the lawyers happy....

Thanks for keeping us posted. We're all pullin' for ya.:thumbsup:

 

[brain55]

I found out today that I have made it to the next round of interviews. Friday morning I have two interviews. The first one is with a Senior Supervisor, a Supervisor, and a Foreman. The second is with the General Manager and Asst. GM. I am now in the top three. I'm sure I'm up against some decent wrenches, it is time to really sell my management, organizational, and relationship building skills.

It is a good thing I have been on a weight loss kick lately. If I hadn't lost 10 lbs. this last month, I don't think I would have fit into my suit. I don't think I have ever worn a suit to an interview before. Then again every job that I have had since trade school, the application was practically a technicality. Dockers and a polo shirt or button down shirt was more than enough. I probably wouldn't be wearing one this time, except the HR person that called me suggested that I do.

Brian

 

[jcliburn]

I found out today that I have made it to the next round of interviews. Friday morning I have two interviews.

Best of luck to you. Remember how to knot a tie?

Jay

 

[bky]

I went to a interveiw many moons ago for a job installing alarm systems in homes. About 5 minutes into it the interviewer asks me " When you do repairs around the house do you show your wife where you made a mistake?". I said that I did. He ended the interview on the spot. He wanted a dishonest installer that would not own up to mistakes.

I would have told him I do not make mistakes.

 

[brain55]

Best of luck to you. Remember how to knot a tie?

Jay

That I do, its like riding a bicycle.

Brian

 

[teg]

Sounds like the HR guy gave you some advice... maybe for a reason Good luck...

 

[dex3361]

Still praying for your success. I am glad to hear that you are still on track. Let us know how you make out.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[brain55]

Sounds like the HR guy gave you some advice... maybe for a reason Good luck...

I don't know, she jokingly said no mechanics clothes and then mentioned I should wear a suit. I'd like to think that I was getting some preferential treatment but they go to great lengths to make sure everybody gets equal treatment.

Brian

 

[MicroPilot]

I don't know, she jokingly said no mechanics clothes and then mentioned I should wear a suit. I'd like to think that I was getting some preferential treatment but they go to great lengths to make sure everybody gets equal treatment.

Brian

Could be a test to see if you can follow verbal instruction.

 

[sodamo]

Best of continued luck. Sounds like you're doing quite well.

 

[brain55]

Well, I'm all suited up, I've got on my favorite Jerry Garcia designed tie, and I'm ready to go. Only two hours before the interview.

I got the equipment list yesterday. I have a pretty good idea what they have and a game plan for scheduling maintenance. I also have a list of operational questions. I won't ask what time is lunch, when do we get paid, or can you make that out to cash. :laughing: I am pretty confident about my ability to do the job. I was a little surprised by how many vehicles they have compared to pieces of self-propelled equipment, not surprised by the number of two-stroke small equipment. I expected more ride-on type mowing equipment and a few more tractors. It is still a smaller fleet than what I had managed before.

Brian

 

[czechsonofagun]

Good luck, Brian! Kick some ***!

 

[brain55]

The interviews went really well. I think I brought a lot to the table. One of the supervisors went out of his way to let the other two know that I was the one that requested and picked up the equipment list yesterday. I was able to use that information in examples that I used when answering questions. I had my own list of questions that I was able to ask which led to some very good dialogue, at least in my opinion. The interview with the GM's was a little shorter, not as many questions, more of a get to know my background type questions. The main question that sticks out was when I was asked what I thought the best tool for building relationships with my supervisors and those under me. My short answer was "Honesty", he seemed a little surprised by my answer and said he was going to write it down, which he did. I went on to explain why I thought that was the best tool. There were also the standard, have you ever disagreed with a supervisor, and how did you handle it questions. The first interview with the supervisors and foreman is actually what will decide whether I get the job or not, the GM's get the final say though, or "VETO" power as it may be.

Brian

 

[teg]

Kick buttocks!!! It's seems lot a ton of work for one job!!!

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

First of all Good Luck. It is a shame that you have to jump through so many hoops. Don't they contact previous employers. That would answer most of their questions. What if you get another job offer while they are dickin around with all the red tape. They would be SOL if you took the other job and they would end up with someone less qualified possibly.
Bill

 

[Jstpssng]

Kick buttocks!!! It's seems lot a ton of work for one job!!!

ditto on both points.

 

[brain55]

It might seem like a lot of work for one job, but the reality is that it is practically like a Supreme Court Justice position, in most cases it is for life. If I get it, I expect it to be the last job I have. I'm 45 now, I would expect to be there right up to retirement, whether that is when I'm 65 or 70. I might not be a mechanic the whole time, I might shift up to a Supervisor position, but definitely the last employer I would have.

Brian

 

[hawkeye08]

Our prayers are with you!

When do you find out? I dislike the waiting part of these things the most.

 

[brain55]

Our prayers are with you!

When do you find out? I dislike the waiting part of these things the most.

I should know next week. It shouldn't take much deliberation, there are only 3 of us now. They were done with the interviews by 10:30 am, I don't see why they wouldn't have a decision today actually. They might want to take the weekend to think it over and make their final decision Monday. I sure would appreciate the steady income again.

Brian