Yay I actually got off my ass and did something today!

[TheMikeMan]

Hey, I went to the local locksmith today and asked if there was someone I could talk to or somewhere I could go to gain information or skills needed to build a career in locksmithing, and the senior guy was out on a job so I got an, "I don't know what to tell you other than look online and stuff like that but if you want you can come back sometime. He's usually here around 9am and 5:30pm but other than that I can't guarantee much." So basically I've taken the first step in possibly getting an apprenticeship, a job of some sort, or at least some guidance from someone who is qualified to teach me such things. I was hesitant to ask about an apprenticeship right away because I felt it would put people on the spot. Did I make the right decision? And if so, what should my next objective be once I actually get a chance to talk to the guy?

[Eyes_Only]

First thing is to never mention your interest in picking. Then just talk about your interest in locksmithing and the security industry and tell him about any knowledge and skill you may have about basic locksmithing. The rest I'm sure someone like Shrub can enlighten us on.

[TheMikeMan]

yeah i knew that. All i said really is what i wrote in the original post so i think itll be okay.

[Eyes_Only]

If they didn't discourage you and throw you out of the shop like what happened to me a few years ago you should see where this can go. Good luck.

[TheMikeMan]

just a quick follow up, I talked to the guy and he said he would call me back in a few days so yayayay!

[keysman]

Mike ,
Look at this as a Job interview .. First impressions are EVERYTHING ,


Be sure to bathe, and wear clean clothes,

Have with you:
Your job history including dates of employment , address . phone numbers.
Names addresses dates of any schools you attended
Names addresses of 3 personal references ( be sure to contact them 1st)
Drivers licenses , work permits, or other official paper work necessary.


Be prepared to answer the following questions:

Do you have transportation to work ?
What hours can you work?
Why do you want to work for this company? And what skills , do you bring with you?

A few hints:

The locksmith is obviously busy.. the time he spends with you is times he could be doing something else….. make good use of his time ,
Your “ interview” starts the moment you walk in the door , be sure to sit up straight , and look attentive.
If your are driving a car .. wash it before going to meet .. he will see your car before he sees you
Don’t smoke or chew gum during the “ interview”.

Be honest.. if you don’t know the answer to a question , say so ..

Good luck

[TheMikeMan]

haha thanks for the advice, but the interview sorta happened already. I think he's thinking about it and if he calls back he'll probably ask me about what hours i could work, etc after he calls. I'm pretty much set for the job then just waiting for him to call back. Haha, and as for what I could do for the company, there are only 3 people working there at present and he's the only one that goes out on calls so I don't think they're looking for an extremely capable person as of yet. I'll probably end up organizing and cleaning up crap around the shop and working more with people than with locks, at least for now. But I'm not gonna get my hopes up seeing as he hasn't called back, but its only monday so yeah. All i can do for now is hope everything goes well.

[iqarus]

there are only 3 people working there at present and he's the only one that goes out on calls so I don't think they're looking for an extremely capable person as of yet. I'll probably end up organizing and cleaning up crap around the shop and working more with people than with locks, at least for now.

i was in a similar position to you, there was only 3 people working at the shop i ended up getting a job at. the owner, his daughter and a 18 year old guy that did most of the onsite stuff.

i started out doing minor stuff and cleaning up/organizing. the boss left the shop for the day one day, soon as he was out the door his daughter was on the phone to her friend.

i decided to do something constructive and went apeshit on the garage. before i started the 20mx25m room's floor was covered in lock parts, tools and general crap about half a foot deep with little circles cleared to walk through.

5 hours later it was all sorted into boxes, cleaned, swept, furniture re-arranged better and the metal lathe uncovered, cleaned, lubed and serviced (uncle was a fitter and turner, taught me a couple things).

got a full time job as a locky apprentice 5 minutes after the boss got back


hard work pays off matey. if you get the job, go at it like a starving dog to a bone.

[iqarus]

there are only 3 people working there at present and he's the only one that goes out on calls so I don't think they're looking for an extremely capable person as of yet. I'll probably end up organizing and cleaning up crap around the shop and working more with people than with locks, at least for now.

i was in a similar position to you, there was only 3 people working at the shop i ended up getting a job at. the owner, his daughter and a 18 year old guy that did most of the onsite stuff.

i started out doing minor stuff and cleaning up/organizing. the boss left the shop for the day one day, soon as he was out the door his daughter was on the phone to her friend.

i decided to do something constructive and went apeshit on the garage. before i started the 20mx25m room's floor was covered in lock parts, tools and general crap about half a foot deep with little circles cleared to walk through.

5 hours later it was all sorted into boxes, cleaned, swept, furniture re-arranged better and the metal lathe uncovered, cleaned, lubed and serviced (uncle was a fitter and turner, taught me a couple things).

got a full time job as a locky apprentice 5 minutes after the boss got back


hard work pays off matey. if you get the job, go at it like a starving dog to a bone.