Help to get employment under a locksmith.

[Recluse]

Ill start with a little background of whats going on, I just got out of college in May of 09, majored in electrical, graduated, no electrical jobs out there. I live in Minnesota, and my current job is a full time slot at my unit for the Minnesota National Guard. My orders are up at the end of march and i am looking for a job.

I have a great intrest into locks, and security. So naturally i seek out the locksmithing route. There are a a couple lock shops in the area and a couple mobile. i have been going to the largest one in town about once a month to check in let them know i am still intrested in working under them. I have 3 months to find a job and a brainless/talentless job is not an option (i have tried to work retail stores and gas stations and makes me bored and feeling useless).

so what i ask...
If you were to hire, what would you look for in an employee?

I want to make a really good impression on an employer and dont want them to even second guess that i might be something that they want.

I have been picking for 2 years, prolly not that long too all of you out there but my picks have seen lots of use( leather pouch is all stiched up with spyderwire to keep it together), i recently have bought a set of southord tubular lock picks, and havent had too much practice with them. Some of the things that i have used and have sucess with are bump keys, standard lock picks as well as picks and tension wrenches that i have made for personal preference, automotive lock pick set( not the wires through doors).

The military wants to keep me, they are trying to get me to re-enlist, but there are too many cons to pros.
i really want get a job with locks and security, not for the pay( but i do need to live like everyone else), but for learning. i have 3 years experience in finish woodworking so do's and donts with wood i know rather well

i have about 3 months and plenty of time to get some more tools... any i should pick up for future employment this is a list of what i have so far

set of southord ss picks with rivited handles
about 30 bump keys
set of automotive double ended lock picks
set of 10 auto jigglers
7 and 8 pin southord tubular picks
18v litheum bosch impactor and drill set
and all the screwdrivers, phillips, standard, torx, hex, and nut drivers with tamper proof torx
and a bunch of nice electrical tools from college days


Thanks for any advice or any constructive critism that anyone can give me.

~~Recluse~~

[Eyes_Only]

I think you've got a great start to work with since you know how to do electrical work and woodworking. Both could come in real handy when running commercial or residential locksmith work.

If you know how to apply the electrical part to automotive that would be another big plus cos these days making keys, programming keys and dealing with a variety of automotive alarm system will require one to have at least basic knowledge of electrical theory and how to use any electrical diagnostic tools. Make sure you mention you have these skills (unless you already have) to any shop you are trying to get a job at.

But if you do get a locksmith job be ready to start at minimum wage for at least a couple years. I've been told that getting pay raises takes time when working for a locksmith. Especially now with the economy in such a mess. That may be one of the main reason also if most shops in you area decline your offer. Lately it's been nothing but a couple of walk in customers who need one Kwikset key copied, maybe, MAYBE one call/job out somewhere and the rest will be people just shopping around for the best price.

[Recluse]

Thanks eyes_only, yeah i kinda figgured the pay would be kinda crappy starting out i guess if i could pay the bills and get a new tool now and then i could be happy for a while i just need some time under my belt. So i guess i will just keep learning by myself, i even offered to work for free under the guy any day that i time that i wasnt at work. Lp101 seems like now i can get some questions answered and learn a lot just from reading, do you have to be licenced to do any work under a company? so i will keep on reading and picking. thanks again.

~~Recluse~~

[Eyes_Only]

Licensing would depend on if your state calls for it. If your state doesn't require it then you can't get one so there's nothing to worry about I think.

But either way if you get the job your employer is supposed to get that taken care of, or help you to do what you need to in order for you to work legally as a locky so I wouldn't worry about it. The shop I was at had a couple people working there for years with no license cos in CA (as with any other state) really don't enforce the license thing unless a bunch of people start complaining about you and the quality of work you provide.

[Recluse]

Cool beans, yeah i checked before i started buying tools to make sure i wasnt violating ay laws for purchasing or carrying lock picks and such.

i think ill have to do some more research into licencing and such, if there is none maybe ill try to establish some sort of small lock out business. although i dont want to step on anyones toes around here, so maybe that isnt too good of an idea.

thanks again,

~~Recluse~~

[mylofox]

Ah this post takes me back. If you want to get into the industry but no shops are hiring right now then spend as much time as you have learning. All the skills you listed in your first post are a great start but from expeience those skills are going to be of best use in the field. However, when you start you will most likely start inhouse and they will teach you terminology and key blank identification first. Take this time to learn these. You will have more confidence and understand more when the time comes to an interview and first days on the job.

If you are interested, Ilco's website has a PDF version of their key blank catalog. Take a peek at the North American section and if automotive interest you then look at the automotive version. Of course no one expects you to remember every key blank in the world but get feel for the reffence matterial and some of the more common key blanks you will run across.