Automotive Technology Graduate wants into Dealership Service Dept.?

[racer x]

I just graduated from a technical college and I have put out resumes and applications. I am new to this field but have always taken care of most jobs on my own cars and helped with friends and neighbors. I did graduate with honors but I am changing from the food service/ business management to automotive and I am over 40. I am moving next week to a place outside Charlotte, North Carolina west of Charlotte. Is there anyone out there with some good advice on how to land this job in a dealership or give me a lead? Thanks!

[bbisdpspec]

You may want to look into a service writer's position, instead of an apprentice mechanic. You can put your knowledge to work asking detailed questions of the customers to make diagnosing the problems and repairing the automobiles easier for the line mechanics.

Service writer's usually get paid a salary and a commission, making them a higher paid position over the mechanics - plus, they can move up into service department management.
Just remember as a service writer, you are there to get the info out of the customer as to what, when, and where did the problem occur and put that on the repair order, not diagnose the problem. If it's running bad, don't put on the work order it needs spark plugs or that's all the mechanic will do - and the car may still run bad when he's finished - guess who will get to face the customer when he starts it up and finds out it still runs bad? You will.