In Search of a Good Technician

In Search of a Good Technician

If you believe that “there are no good techs,” or “nobody wants to work,” you probably will prove yourself right and you won’t find anyone!

Sponsored by DRIVE

Is this you? Mitch from Premiere Auto needed a tech – a great one and NOW! He posted the job opening on all the usual sites. He hoped to be inundated with resumes…but he’s not. Plus the resumes he’s getting aren’t what his shop needs. Tomorrow’s shop schedule is already stacked up and the last thing he wants to do is turn business away. And he sure doesn’t want to go back to turning wrenches, but he may have to. Mitch is in a no-win situation. But is he? The problem may not be hiring another tech.

Do You Really Need Another Technician?

In some shops, the solution will turn out to be getting more production out of the technicians you already have. In other shops the problem can be too many people on board. There is a guideline you can use to sort this out. Take your gross sales (minus sales tax) and divide by the number of production people you have. The resulting figure should be at least $25,000 per production person per month. Most shops should be in the $22,500-$27,000 range. If you are a specialist, your numbers should be in the $30,000-plus range. If your number is a lot lower, you’re not getting enough production out of the techs you already have.

All too often, an owner’s solution to low production is to hire more people. However, if the shop is not properly organized for production, more employees will only add to the confusion and adversely affect your income.

You Really Do Need Some Techs!

But sometimes you really do need additional help or a replacement. While you may have had some frustrating “adventures” trying to find a new technician, rest assured that there are good employees out there. You just have to maintain a good attitude and persist in your search. If you believe that “there are no good techs”, or “nobody wants to work,” you probably will prove yourself right and you won’t find anyone! So that is the first step; decide that it is possible to find someone. Once you’ve done that, you’re ready for the next step.

Get the Word Out

One of the most productive ways to find your next team member is to tell people you interact with every day – Word-of-Mouth. They’re in the industry and in your community – so don’t be shy! Tell everyone that you are hiring. Here’s a breakdown:

Tool-Vendor
Tell them what you need and want in a tech; give out your business card. Keep mentioning it to them WEEKLY.

Parts Supplier
Talk to the salesperson you deal with, and even the parts delivery people that go into most of the shops in your area. Again, give them a business card or two that they can pass on to prospects. Some parts houses have a bulletin board on which you can post a small ad.

Customers
This is probably the most ignored resource available to you, your loyal customer base. Put up signs in your sales and waiting areas. If your zoning codes allow it, put a similar message on your marquee or on a signboard in front of the shop. Your customers might have a friend, a relative or a neighbor who is a technician looking for a job.

Local Trade Association
Many local trade association chapters actively help members find technicians. They place ads online (paid for with membership fees), they contact tech schools, interview applicants and sometimes will even build a pool of prospects and resumes that their members can utilize. Usually the pool includes people with all levels of skill and experience.

Churches and Synagogues
Talk to your minister, your priest or your rabbi. Let him know you want someone to join your family of employees. Give him a business card and run an ad in their Bulletin.

Local Business People
Spread the word via everyone you do business with in town, from the person you see every week at the grocery store, to the business right next to yours. Give them all business cards and let them know what you need and want.

Vo-tech Schools
Contact the local Vo-Tech or call one of the teachers and ask for the names of the best graduating students. You might even end up hiring one of the teachers!

Military Placement Agencies
A local military base will sometimes have a placement service for people leaving the service. Call and see if they have one of these offices. If so, send them a description of what you need and want in an employee. People with motor-pool experience and military discipline usually make good employees.

By now you’ve gotten the idea that you cannot ignore any possible avenue of communication for your search. The more you tell people what you need and want, the better your chances are that you will find what you need and want.

Job Postings

It’s important to investigate all avenues of outreach you have available. So don’t leave it to only word-of-mouth. At the same time it’s also important to get the word out online. This includes not just job posting sites but also your own social media network accounts. So go ahead and post on the big job posting sites, but be sure to post your hiring needs on Facebook and other social media accounts you have for your business.

THE Most Important Part of Your Search – WHAT YOUR AD SAYS!

Your ads should be worded so that they will attract people with good attitudes and some experience. It is better to hire someone with less experience who wants to be part of the team and is willing to work, than to hire some “Super-Tech” with a giant chip on his or her shoulder. An employee with a bad attitude will affect everyone’s production and drive you crazy.

Your positive attitude can create a good, secure atmosphere that will attract and keep good employees. On the other hand, a negative disposition can repel the best employees. Good people don’t want to work for a grouch, and sane people don’t want to work in a chaotic, insane environment.

Keep this in mind. Good techs will check out a shop before an interview. They’ll look at your online reviews and even scout out the shop previous to the meeting. A good tech wants to work at a well-run and efficient shop. So be sure that is reflected in your business and your online reviews.

Sloppily run, unprofessional shops that have no systems or policies in place will attract nonproductive, unmotivated technicians who cost you more money than they make for your business. On the bright side, a tightly run, efficient shop in which everyone is making decent money, will attract good technician prospects.

The bottom line is that, despite any difficulties you might encounter in the adventure of finding technicians, over 80% of the people out there are decent and willing to help you achieve your goals. Positively decide you are going to find the right one of them for your team. And good luck in the hunt!

This article is sponsored by DRIVE. For more information, please visit: https://driveshops.com/

You May Also Like

Complete Pentastar Oil Adapter Fix

Engine Oil Filter Adapter: 926-959 Upgraded Aluminum Engine Oil Filter Housing with Oil Cooler and Filter Application Summary: Chrysler 2022-11, Dodge 2022-11, Jeep 2022-11, Ram 2022-12, Volkswagen 2014-11 The factory oil filter adapter on millions of OEM V6-powered vehicles often leaks oil when its plastic housing warps from harsh underhood conditions. As the plastic eventually degrades

Engine Oil Filter Adapter: 926-959

Upgraded Aluminum Engine Oil Filter Housing with Oil Cooler and Filter

Application Summary: Chrysler 2022-11, Dodge 2022-11, Jeep 2022-11, Ram 2022-12, Volkswagen 2014-11

The factory oil filter adapter on millions of OEM V6-powered vehicles often leaks oil when its plastic housing warps from harsh underhood conditions. As the plastic eventually degrades from heat and chemical exposure, it can even crack from simply tightening the oil filter cap during oil changes. When it fails, replacing it with an OEM housing could mean the same issues again in the future. This Dorman OE FIX™ filter housing is made entirely of aluminum for a more durable replacement of only the failure-prone OEM housing to help prevent future leaks. Don’t replace a leaking filter housing with another failure-prone design just like it – truly fix it with this improved design. Kit includes update filter and oil cap with heat-staked tag bearing updated cross-reference information for future services, and is bright orange to call attention to the updated part. Addition of cap, filter, and cooler permits use on all applications from 2011-2021.

Helping Customers Understand the Signs of Fuel Pump Failure

Fuel pump failures are never a one-size-fits-all diagnosis.  Different symptoms indicate different problems and often, the pump will still function—albeit erratically—as it fails. Explaining this to customers isn’t always easy, especially because many of them may not know that the fuel pump has more than one role. Shop owners and technicians can help customers understand

Warn Your Customers About Water Pump Failure During the Summer

Summer is an opportune time for automotive professionals to remind customers to keep an eye on the signs of a failing water pump.  As you know, extreme summer temperatures and added strain on vehicles from activities like long road trips can cause engines to become more susceptible to troubles from excessive heat, making the function

6 Signs It’s Time to Put Down the Pen and Ditch the Paper 

There’s no time to hesitate.  The surge in the aftermarket sweet spot — or vehicles in the six- to 12-year age range that will soon require significant repairs — reached 94 million in the first half of 2021, according to Experian Automotive. That total accounts for nearly 31% of all vehicles in operation.  That percentage

I Have A Website, So Why Do I Need Marketing?

Now that your website is up and running, how can you consistently engage with your customers and always deliver a positive experience? This can be done by taking a multifaceted approach through omnichannel marketing. With a little effort and all the right tools, you can outshine your competition and fill your bays in no time!

Other Posts

How Effective Are Non-Competes for Shops and Technicians?

NCAs restrict workers, hinder innovation, and impact employment options.

Is Your Shop Being Robbed Right Now?

How prepared are you for the bad guys?

TCCI Breaks Ground on EV Innovation Hub in Decatur

TCCI’s Innovation Hub will include an electric compressor manufacturing facility and innovation and research center.

EVs Are Coming – Is Your Shop Ready For The Wave?

Address safety and training challenges before they’re a problem to prepare for an influx of electric vehicles.