Where or how do Mechanics usually find jobs?

I started though a high school co-op education program and they hired me right after. Most guys go through job banks on line any more. Good diesel mechanics are becoming very very hard to find.

 

In 2004, Completed a tech college, search out though internet classified, newspapers, etc. applied for those jobs, didn’t get an answer right away even after interviews. Teacher suggested an opportunity at a place he knew about (Was not near the area I wanted, but needed a job). Heard back in days and took it. Over the course of the next few months I was offered the jobs I had applied for, but things had already been placed in motion, (the future wife of my kids). So don’t screw around if you get an applicant, it only took her 3 weeks to lock me down. I’m not sure you would be able to use her motivation thou....
My current job (12 yrs now) came from a “nudge and a nod” from my now Ex father-in-law, for a newly created lead mechanic job for the company he worked for at the time. I believe it was only advertised by word of mouth, through drivers, supervisors, and other employees.

 

One big thing, if you want to find good workers, is to make sure the pay and benefits are good, and that the application process isn't a long drawn out mess. It should take 2 weeks max. Ideally a week or less.
I've had multiple instances where I apply, no response. I move on, find a job, then the original company calls me back like a month later. WTF?

 

I've had zero luck with this apply online crap. Spent hours of time creating online profiles and submitting applications with zero results. No phone calls or responses whatsoever. Don't even waste my time with it anymore. Funny thing is every time I've gone out old school with a stack of resumes in hand I usually have an offer before the end of the week.

The thing with quality mechanics is they are almost always employed. I've had 4 jobs so far and the most I had off between jobs was 3 weeks (only because I wanted a bit of a break. I was burned out working 18 days on, 3 days off the entire year prior). If a qualified guy is looking for work, don't waste time and get them in for an interview. Company I work for lost the chance at having two A-game techs I personally recommended recently. All because HR dicked around too long with the hiring process.

I'm speaking for myself here but I generally have no desire to jump ship. Not unless something extreme happens anyways.

 

I thought about this carefully before I answer.

Im sitting at the tractor trailer wondering why I aint got a water gauge. (A tiny problem in a cabover but one that needs fixing...) Hey BOSS... you got someone to get this thing right?

Wot? No. He's drunk. There is shop, tools and new gauge YOU put it in there kid. You drive it, you fix it. Fast. Yer late already.

A water temp gauge is relatively simple in a older cabover. Relatively. You wont believe how much stuff bolted onto and off a old iron truck in them wonderful days without half the computer miserableness existing today.

 

To get in somewhere good...It's pretty much who you know nowadays.

 

Most places don't want to pay the money for good techs. Why I'm an owner operator now, worked/earned my way to lead tech at a couple shops but didn't want to pay any more.

 

they go to the nearest mechanical garage and ask for a job!

 

Also true go and knock on doors.