As with any job or career that someone starts, they want to feel like they have a purpose for doing it. In our industry, there are many routes that can be taken by personnel to increase their knowledge of or importance to the shop or business where they are employed.
Most seem to think that the only way to move up is to find a place in management and settle in, but I am here to tell you that you have so many more opportunities to grow that you may not even know.
Now, obviously, the most direct route to making an impact is through management. You are the leader of the team and can make decisions to make your location the fastest, the most profitable, or the best of the best in your locality. But let’s be honest, how often do spots like general manager really come open?
If your shop is a well-oiled machine, the manager has found his place, and you may feel that you have stalled out. But wait, there is more to that management game than meets the eye. Now most managers who have an eye on moving to the next level are looking to impart their knowledge to others.
This makes them look good in the eyes of decision makers. So, positions such as assistant managers or customer service specialists are not stopping places for this manager. So, if you are an ASM, feeling like you can go no further, what do you do? Start by collaborating with the manager to get to as close to his level as possible. This will show initiative. Suddenly, there is a spot open in another location, in need of a qualified leader. Are you ready to be that leader?
We all know that not everyone has a desire to be the person in charge. That does not mean that you cannot find your niche in the job. Are you mechanically inclined? Have you ever thought of reaching out to your boss to see about getting ASE certified? Trust me, they will want to have one of those in their building if they do not already. It is even something that they would pay to have you take, making an investment in you for the company.
Depending on your shop setup and the services that they offer, this route can lead to many of these certifications. ASE has options for brakes, suspension, engine, and more. For that person who just likes to tinker and does not want that responsibility of being “the man,” this is a great path to walk along.
Do you have the gift of gab? Do you like meeting new people and making them smile? If so, then you are the perfect candidate for being a customer service advisor/specialist. In this role, you are the customer facing person for your business. It is your responsibility to go over services and recommendations with the customer regarding their vehicle. Since a vehicle is the second biggest purchase by someone behind a home, they want to know that it is taken care of and operating to the fullest. Businesses and managers are always looking for people in these roles. It is one of the easiest things to do in a shop but the hardest to fill with what you are looking for in that candidate.
There is an ASE certification for this role as well, though that is mostly geared towards dealerships and service writers. If you are looking to move into that management track in the future, getting this skill set down would give you a step forward in attaining that goal.
So, these are just a few important key areas that one may work towards finding a place. There are many more if these done interest you. There is nothing that says that you need to find an elevated role to find your place. You may be the company’s best lower bay technician that trains all the new hires in that spot.
If you offer courtesy services in your location, you take pride in making sure that every window is washed properly and vacuuming the interior is top notch. Whatever your role is in the shop, do it to the fullest and you will one day find your place.
