As I reflect on my career, I have always put my job before everything else. This dedication has always been the beacon in my life. I shrug it off when my wife is disappointed that I could not make it to an event that she wanted me to attend.

I recently have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The prognosis is good and only time will tell. The most important thing that this has brought home to me is that we all need to work to live but living to work has consequences. My family hardly knows me and when I am in a time of life that I want them to be there for me, it now makes me realize that I was never there for them.

Staff,

Car People Jobs

Car People Jobs has a very fast growing web based job board and resume database. Ad space is now available for as little as $295.00 per year. This site currently has over 20,000 page views per month and is visited by over 6,500 automotive professionals.

Service departments are by design a supporting department to the Sales department.

Many businesses are now placing more emphasis on their Service department since it is a steady generator of income. The current economy along with the abilty of consumers to “get the best deal” may have forever changed the Service department’s place in the organizational chart. Only time will tell if  the shift is permanent.

Staff,

Car People Jobs

A happy customer is an asset to your bottom line.

This economy has created a survivalist business environment. Job cuts, pay cuts and less customer service is the diet of the day. This fixes the bottom line on a short term basis, but at what cost?

Customer’s do not and probably should not know that your business is financially challenged. What they will remember is that they had a difficult time getting help, their visit took too long, or that the employees were not as cordial as they used to be.

Be careful! These customers are the lifeline to the financial health of your business. If your customers fail to return to your business, simple math will indicate that more cuts will be necessary and so on and so on.

Staff,

Car People Jobs

Don’t be short sighted about your pay plan!

When deciding if an employer is the right one, remember to look at all aspects of the benefits, facility, and pay plan.

Many people make a decision by way of the obvious stated pay rate. There are many more items that need to be taken into account.

• How many hours are normal?  

Example:   Tech “1″ gets paid $18.00 per hour. Tech “2″ gets paid $22.00 per hour. If both turn the same flat rate hours then Tech “2″ is the clear winner.

But if Tech “1″ turns 55 flat rate hours per week and Tech “2″ turns 35 flat rate hours per week, the opposite is true.

Let’s do the math.              Tech “1″         $18.00 x 55 = $  990.00

                                                  Tech “2″         $22.00 x 35 = $  770.00

• What is the work mix?

If the work mix is heavy on warranty, it takes more effort to turn hours than a work mix with more customer pay.

• What are the benefits?

Benefits should not be forgotten!      Is there a production bonus paid when a cetain number of flat rate hours are turned?     Is there a CSI bonus based on your individual CSI score?       Is there health insurance and is it totally or partially paid for?     Is there dental insurance?     Is there life insurance?      Is there any other compensation such as a year end bonus?     Are ASE certifications encouraged and paid for?     Is training provided and if so is it paid for?

• What about the facility? 

Does the facility have air conditioning and/or heat?    Are you provided the tools you need or is that your responsibility?   Are tool boxes supplied? 

Staff,

Car People Jobs 

While there is no denying that the Auto Industry is changing, it will still be around for many more years.

Everybody in the Automotive Industry needs to take a deep breath. While it is very devestating that our brothers and sisters are facing changes, let’s not lose focus that the American public is not giving up their personal transportation.

There will still be a need for Technicians, Service Advisors, Sales Associates, Support Staff and Management. We will see a growth of employees at every remaining dealership. We will see a growth in new brands from all over the globe. We will see a growth in mom and pop stores. We will see a growth in the aftermarket.

We all need to remember that our Industry still has a future.

Staff,

Car People Jobs