Where should I get my first job?

[Travel'n Man]

Piano player in a whorehouse.

ZTrain - your just not right!!

[Chicken man]

We have a Z club where I live and my sister's boyfriend is originally the one who introduced me to Z's a year ago should I join the club? It's only 25 dollars a year and you don't even have to have a Z to join.

[Travel'n Man]

Chicken man-

Where ever you apply for and what ever you want to do - do a little researching on the location you are going to apply at. Learn about that particular business - show a sincere interest and be knowledgeable of that location (year they started in business - annual sales - different awards they have won - just anything that can set you apart from another applicant that is looking for the same job - a trip to their bathroom can tell you a lot about a business (ie car dealership). Come in dressed for the part - no trashed jeans/a nice pair of khaki's - a nice golf shirt/no teeshirt - a nice pair of shoes/no tennis shoes. If you got body jewelry take it off - if you have body ink cover it up, if you need a haircut go and get one............too many kids today think for some reason that society owes them something for some reason. Be sincere, honest, and willing to learn and work with a positive attitute. Let your future boss know that you have a goal and what it is - I'm am betting that your goal of fixing up a 280Z will generate a great conversation that will start something like this - - "My buddy use to have one of those and let me tell you about it............"

I didn't mean to ramble but I'm betting if you play your cards right any dealership you walked into would be interested in you and helping you achieve your goals...........good luck......

What part of Northern Virginia are you in? I use to live in Richmond and Culpepper back in the mid 60's.

Remember; plan your work and work your plan!!

Edited August 24, 2010 by Travel'n Man

[Z train]

ZTrain - your just not right!!

Just havin' a little fun.

Actually it's part of a joke: Don't tell my mother i'm a railroader-she thinks i'm a piano player in a whore house.

Edited August 24, 2010 by Z train

[Chicken man]

Travel'n Man, that sounds like a really good idea. I'm not the type of person who has tattoos or anything and dress fairly nice so I think I'm set on that one. If I remember correctly we used to have a family friend who worked at the dealership but he moved away and we never really like him haha but I think if I can get my sisters boyfriend to take me in his Z32 that's gonna help a bit haha. I think I originally set my expectations way too high earlier and hyped myself up a bit too much. I'm entering high school this year in a few weeks and won't have too much time for this job until summer so I think around the same time I get my learners permit (this spring) will be the same time I'll check the place out because I should focus myself on school more or else I'll screw myself up and end up with a car and no money to take car of it.

[jwerner2]

Ask for a detailing position.

When I need extra cash I actually post fliers in my neighborhood offering to detail peoples car. I live in a tourist town and I also live in a huge home owners development which works out well on my behalf cause I get a lot of wealthy people over the summer with some new BMW's that need to stay fresh and clean. But, I also have lots of elderly people that live here year round and cant do it themselves. Some of them are even marked on my calender for future jobs.

Of course if you do a private type of deal such as that you need a decent amount of money to start but I just bought my 76 280z the other week with money I have been saving from detailing since last fall and I have some scratch left over for parts and possibly another Z if the price is right.

Also, instead of focusing on that one Z I would just work, work, and work ( saving somewhere in there helps also;) ) and just keep an eye out for a better deal in the mean time as a fall back.

What part of Virgina do you live in?

Try out some of the beach areas. We have an amusement park on the Boardwalk up this way and they hire young kids for summer work. If you get in at the right time of year they pay for your living quarters and all but you work your arse off.

Edited August 24, 2010 by jwerner2

[Shade133]

How much do you think I can get for receptionist or body manager and order body parts for the shop there? I might clean the cars and sweep the lot there if they don't have thos other positions open at the moment.

in california when i worked at the dealership. the receptionist got paid 9-10 an hour depending on experience. i worked at a porter first (sweeping lot doing grunt work and pulling up cars) then moved up to a driver for customers.. porter made 8 an hour (minimum wage) and so did the driver but nicer job and more hours.

Travel'n Man, that sounds like a really good idea. I'm not the type of person who has tattoos or anything and dress fairly nice so I think I'm set on that one. If I remember correctly we used to have a family friend who worked at the dealership but he moved away and we never really like him haha but I think if I can get my sisters boyfriend to take me in his Z32 that's gonna help a bit haha. I think I originally set my expectations way too high earlier and hyped myself up a bit too much. I'm entering high school this year in a few weeks and won't have too much time for this job until summer so I think around the same time I get my learners permit (this spring) will be the same time I'll check the place out because I should focus myself on school more or else I'll screw myself up and end up with a car and no money to take car of it.

and this is very smart thinking. in your position id still get in good with the higher up people at the dealership. make yourself known and let them know you want a job, stop by on your free time every once in a while and also let them know you'd like a spring-summer job when your get your permit but you need to focus on school right now. that will show them your responsible and reliable.

they want someone that is smart and has goals and works hard. you work hard in school they will think you'll work hard at your job to.

Edited August 24, 2010 by Shade133

[Chicken man]

I just calculated if I made 9 bucks an hour and since the law for minors in va is that during the summer of non school weeks you can only work for 40 hours I'd make a little over 4,000. But if I do extra stuff like mow lawns, wash cars, etc I'd make a little over 5,000 and there's birthdays, christmas and few other opportunities for some extra money. I imagine if I get to know the staff and the higher people at the dealer ship they could probably give me some deals.

Also the county I live in offers an auto servicing class on how to basically repair and diagnose cars in any cirumstance. There's also a welding class and the details for it are " This two-year course consists of instructions in the oxy-fuel and arc welding process. Students are trained in welding, cutting, and brazing. Instructional topics include MIG, TIG, and shielded metal arc welding. Class activities provide instruction in art and ornamental welding, preparation for the American Welding Society Test, and construction and repair of metal projects" Will this class teach me how to weld sheet metal for cars? And last but not least there is an Auto Collision and repair class which basically says "students learn how to replace and refine (painting) of auto body sheet metal, plastics, urethane, and composites are among the skill taught in this course". I know I'm taking Auto servicing but which one of the other classes should I take?

[jwerner2]

and this is very smart thinking. in your position id still get in good with the higher up people at the dealership. make yourself known and let them know you want a job, stop by on your free time every once in a while and also let them know you'd like a spring-summer job when your get your permit but you need to focus on school right now. that will show them your responsible and reliable.

they want someone that is smart and has goals and works hard. you work hard in school they will think you'll work hard at your job to.

This is how most of the people that I know worked things out to get a position at a dealership.

Start out a lot person and just be a great employee. Move up to detail and recon and so forth.

[Shade133]

This is how most of the people that I know worked things out to get a position at a dealership.

Start out a lot person and just be a great employee. Move up to detail and recon and so forth.

yes sir. i was looking to become a mechanic but ended up getting a higher paying job at napa distribution center making 11.32 an hour full time so way better then 8.

and yes id take the collision class and welding personally but collision would be good.

[TBone028]

Although everyone here has great ideas...at age 15 you dont have a whole lot of options. If you can find a job that makes above minimum wage, take it. At age 15, you shouldnt be too concerned with what you are doing, but rather how flexible they are willing to be as far as scheduling.

I also think you should consider joining the NoVA Z club. Nice people there, and you never know what one of the members will have in their garage as far as spare parts. I got a spare driveshaft from a member for free. Its a worthwhile investment.

[Chicken man]

I've heard the same from a friend who's in the NoVa z club. I'm planning to go to the next meet.