Job in a Bike Shop?
Helen-mtb
Posts: 112
I've applied for a job in a bike shop, but only have experience working in whsmiths... (woo.)
i also only know the basics about bikes, but ive been told by other riders/friends that im at an advantage as im female?
Any advice for interviews??? if i even make that.. lol
would love to work in a bike shop soooo much!
i also only know the basics about bikes, but ive been told by other riders/friends that im at an advantage as im female?
Any advice for interviews??? if i even make that.. lol
would love to work in a bike shop soooo much!
0
Comments
-
Think of Kylie when she was a grease monkey.in Neighbours, if you can pull off that look then your laughing.Northwind wrote: It's like I covered it in superglue and rode it through ebay.0
-
A grasp of basic maintenance would go a long way, as well as being able to inspect something and seeing how it works.
If you have experience of maintaining your own bike, like being able to strip down things like brakes or replace cables then you should do just fine.0 -
Hahahah thanks guys! Definetely made me chuckle!
Hmm.. what to wear to a bike shop interview (if i get one)
Leggins, Jean skirt and a shirt? hmmm... smart cas. 8)
I'm sure they'll want more than a pretty face though lol!0 -
and infoxicated... i think im a bit stuffed. I've seen it done, but never done it! LOL!
though its only a shop floor saturday job... :?0 -
deffler wrote:A good knowledge of tools would go down well too.
You'll probably meet quite a few if you get the job. Less internal organs, same supertwisted great taste.0 -
supertwisted wrote:deffler wrote:A good knowledge of tools would go down well too.
You'll probably meet quite a few if you get the job. Boardman Hybrid Pro
Planet X XLS0 -
Hehe 'tools'
I was thinking of a weekend job in a bike shop but it would be a pain to go out anywhere to ride. But I do need extra cash.0 -
supertwisted, you've confused me lol!
ahh well, we shall see what happens!0 -
FFS guys, this is ridiculous, and people wonder why there are so few women working in the trade...
Willingness to learn, knowing how to make tea/coffee, spannering is more about learning the little tricks than being able to set up your own bikes well. Anyone can follow park tools to set up brand new top end parts nicely, doing old clapped out junk takes practice and experience, that you'll learn on the job.
Oh, never offer to do a sturmey rear hub, they are evil!!!!0 -
Although that said, my ex did get a massive discount when she turned up on her road bike to buy some parts in a cocktail dress and spds... :roll:0
-
You'll need to seem keen and see the importance of good customer service - something that is overlooked in many bike shops IMO. You want to show that you are keen to pick up new skills (which you'll learn quickly) but at the same time you won't need someone holding your hand the whole time - especially when it comes to sales. In a small team you definately need to come across as genuine, friendly and, well, normal - so the cocktail dress and Kyle look is out! Of course mechanical know how would help but it's tricky to bluff that one!
I think that been a female might be an advantage, especially when serving newbie female customers who might not feel 100% comfortable discussing lycra and saddles in a male dominated (and often pretty geeky) environment - see the first few posts above as evidence. As ever though it really all depends on who interviews you and what the competition is. Just do your best & be yourself.
Good luck.'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.0 -
ride whenever, you've confused me too :?
and thanks passout, thats some good little pointers there! im definately keen, and keen to learn. one of my reasons for applying is to become more, how could i say, experienced/farmiliar with different bikes and maintenance.
im totally ok with the sales thing, having worked in sales environment for a long time before... and im sure the friendly and genuine thing will be ok, since i get along with the guys in there pretty well when i do go in there.
just need to brush up on some of the basics i think.
i know theres a lot of competition, one of my riding buddys i THINK might apply (late since i told him i was applying), and hes bound to have a one up on me as he know A LOT about bikes lol! i just hope theres not a lot of people applying like that!
its only a saturday job... id love to work there sooo much!
0 -
Good luck Helen.
Theres plenty of guides on the internet about bike maintenance, maybe brush up on it and impressive your new employers with your knowledge
If the pay was better I would be a full time bike shop person.0 -
-
thank you Cgarossi!
i would loveeee to! but theres only a saturday job going and im not experienced enough for that yet! and ive been doing exactly that lol! reading parts of guides then runnig back and forth to my bike
im sure ive got lots of time to brush up before i maybeee get an interview lol! hopefully i will, my cover letter should help more than anything lol!0 -
Sorry for being confusing Helen.
Basically, pet peeve of mine, is the chauvanistic way many bike shops are run. I even see it at the lbs where I work. The level of service the guys give is dependant on how much they like the customer and I don't think that is right really. I've seen a couple of women come in looking for saturday jobs and I've found the responses of the duty managers to be quite sickening tbh. I imagine it is something to do with (esp. mtbing) basically being a lot silly, so it tends to attract a particular type of person.
However if you approach it professionally you'll be fine. Brush up on the basics but shops won't expect you to know everything. All a decent workshop/shop floor is looking for is someone who can learn quickly and make a decent cup of tea! Hopefully you'll be mentored through your first few days until you have got the basics of putting together a new bike, serving customers and doing repairs completely down pat. But there will always be things that you'll ask other mechanics for help with. And it happens with everyone so don't be afraid to ask for help.0 -
Oh i do see what you mean now! i was thinking along the lines of "passout" with talking to new girlie customers...
but yeah thats what the shop said to me when i went in, they said basic knowledge is required, but they will obviously teach me more that i need to know, as and when.
ive been reading up on a few things from guides to brush up, still at it though. im already ok with really basic stuff like, tyres, wheels, brakes , chains etc... just need a little more knowledge so i dont have to chance blagging it haha!0 -
Sounds good then. If I were hiring someone, I'd be looking for them to be able to build a new bike probably 90% from out of the box, so put wheels on, and pedals, straighten bars, check headset, then most of indexing gears and setting up brakes. The details of the indexing and brake setup i'd be willing to help them with the first few times, but i'd expect them to learn it.
Repairs can be much harder, but if you can follow instructions then you'll be absolutely fine.0 -
i have to admit ive never set up a bike before... never really had to :?
haha come with instuctions? cos im good with those but no seriously, i think im gonna spend some time reading different guides and articles on the internet, just to farmiliarise myself, then see how i go in the interview...
i think i definately need to know more... as for cups of tea, lovely! 8)0 -
ride_whenever - surely that's more oriented towards a bike mechanic, but I'm assuming Helen is going for more of a sales role?0
-
the title is.. "shop floor assistant" or "shop assistant" or something of that nature.
when i asked they said i need a "basic knowledge"
later i found out is was a "saturday job" .....
???0 -
Depends how well organised the shop is, but most shops i've been in, even those with separate premises for the workshop, have stands in the shop so staff can put together bikes and do small repairs in the quite periods.0
-
as for the interview definatley go with some questions, (ones that show off you're knowledge of sales and general ability) such as "do you run any sales targets i.e 2 units per customer or more?" normally goes down well, i just got my first bike shop job but i obtained it through doing a weeks work experiance for them but if you have any biking related clothing, i.e branded t-shirt then wear that and don't go in looking too dressed up definatly more casual if possible, they want to think you can handle grease!0
-
the only bike branded clothes i own is, lycras, jerseys, gloves...
dont really wanna turn up in a bike jersey lol!
though i do have an old SUMBC (soton uni mountain bike club) tshit somewhere... bought to support a friend, not that a go there! and an OVERSIZED specialized tshit for pjs haha!
just gonna go for the casual...
and i shall try and get a Q in about "sales targets" hehe! good plan! have to wait and see if i hear back!0 -
i'm subscribed to this topic so a big yes or (hopefully not) a no reply will be required,
oh and don't forget to mention how you would like to be seen as the friendly face for the female cyclists in the area to get advice from, and also how tidy/organised are you?0 -
I have a saterday lad that works with me, his spannering is really good but that is something you will pick up over time. The best bit of advice I can give you is to be well spoken, polite, and enthuseastic0
-
Good luck Helen,
Good eye contact, speaking clearly & importantly, listening to a customers requirements are what i appreciate from my LBS.
Lets us all know how you get on !0
