Interesting post. In the past I have hired people based mainly on their experience and found out the hard way how crap they were. I interviewed someone (was obviously crap) last week and made up my mind to put some thought into this. Like with all these things I didn't get far with it due to time.

First thing I would suggest is to decide exactly what you want from a prospective employee. In my case I want a mechanic not a tech so I have no interest in if he can test an O2 sensor or read a scope. When you decide this then I think you can base your questions accordingly.

I too would be interested to hear others ideas.

Alan

Many times have I pondered on the best way to evaluate an applicant.

I am relatively new to being "the gaffer" & it’s not a role that is easy to fill. I have found out the hard way to ask the right questions.

In the early days, I trusted guys who said that they were qualified. BIG MISTAKE! I now insist on seeing proof of their achievements.

I have considered presenting an interviewee with a C/V joint to strip & re-assemble (clean off course). In my desperate times I have even thought about timing how long it takes to fit a wiper blade. On an old 7 series E32 that’s not as easy as it sounds.

Seriously though, good mechanics are very hard to find. This is a good topic & one that may be better placed in a "trade only" section.

“”””””””””””””Waste time with a numty.
things like;
1. can you use volt meter / scope
2. understand gas readings
or giving them a car with fault say a renault with coil down and see how the go about diagnosing fault?””””””””””””””

You must be on a different planet to me. There are probably only two guys in my region, who know how to use a scope (I am not one of them I must admit). However if I had three guys with my enthusiasm & willingness to learn then I would “clean up” as it were!!

Cheers guys!

Dave

Thanks for the inspirational advice.

Anyone want to buy a Garage with great potential in the Midlands?

Sometimes life is not that simple, or maybe I've just been unlucky. Very often new guys are on their best behaviour. It can often be a few months before they start cutting corners, turning up late and so on. Three to six months and a few jobs that try patience and ingenuity are often neccessary.I had one guy who wasn't a bad mechanic and it took some time to find out he enjoyed funny cigarettes.

Tom W

Regards all
Dave

I have set an `apptitude` test the last couple of times we neeeded a new VT/mechanic/mot tester, consisting of 20 questions from the basic (how many psi is 1 bar?) to more in depth problems asking about live data, some questions being multiple choice and some requiring a written decscription of procedure, they made for some interesting reading, but i also believe it put off some applicants who may have been ok (the idea being to give me an idea of there skill level) regards Rob

I am glad this thread has been brought to life again as it could prove to be a very useful lesson.

I have often had to employ people in a desperate situation. With a high volume of work & a sudden absence of a previous member of staff. I am sure I don't need to tell anyone here how stressful it can be. In this situation it’s all too easy to overlook or forgive the odd “cock-up” in the hope that it is a one-off & perhaps due to nerves, that is common during the settling in period.

I like the questionnaire idea & I will definitely try it next time. I can see that it would give the applicant an idea of what you are about aswell. It could intimidate a worthy candidate I suppose, but if they are that easily intimidated then doesn't this prove that they may not be for you?

At the end of the day you can tell allot about someone by the way the answer questions that, they don’t know the answer to. A sensible answer can be as enlightening as a stupid one.

Even if you find a good one, then there is the question off emotional baggage. A truly great (I keep going to type bloke but that’s not PC these days) applicant could turn out to be unsuitable because of emotional or family problems. I missed a goodun a couple of years ago because he had lost his driving licence. Now I realise that he is a good bloke & that I should have given a chance (Maybe).

I really think this thread would be better placed in a trade only section, as it could lead to some sensitive posts that only folks “in the know” would appreciate.

http://www.autoshop101.com/asetest/asetest12.html

I'm recruiting at the moment, I have invited 3 applicants on a volantary days work. Things show up you just can't see in an interview.

I had one lad the other day, we were taking a hands free kit off a Merc, I asked him to remove the tape holding the wiring together so we could pull the cables through. He grabbed hold of the wires and yanked them apart breaking the microphone cable!!

all the best

Steve

Off-topic
Q8 is a bit fluffy?

Q8) The cam sensor provides information to the PCM (Engine Computer) in order to:

O determine the engine RPM signal.
O determine the crankshaft position information for injector and spark timing.
O confirm that an ignition event has taken place.
O both "a" and "b" are correct.

As far as I was aware the Crank sensor deals with base timing, and the Cam sensor was for injection.
Certainly not crankshaft position information? More like crank/cam position confirmation??

I dunno..

They are correct!

Regards Rob.

Unfortunately I have got to go & see the gaffer in the office tomorrow because I am officially thick DOH! I hope Paula goes easy on me!

Seriously though, I didn't do too badly. I can see were my weaknesses are.

Cheers all

Kev

I would'nt expect anything less from you!

Chhers Mate!

And what about the Spelling in this Answer. ? 3 separate mistakes. ?

>>>> Correct. In theroy, as the engine coolant temperture sensor resistance drops so does its voltage drop, and the leaner the mixture will become. A fully warm engine should show approximatly 0.5 volts at the coolant sensor (under 1000 ohms. <<<<<

And Question 25 say's that a Fuel injected engine can't run without a crank sensor. ? Haven't they heard of a Vectra X18XE or X20XEV. ?

The problem with Teachers setting these types of Questions is that they aren't used to Real Life Problems. ? and vehicles. ? And the more that you know, The more Answers you can pick faults with. ? and Come up with something that Contradicts the Answer. ?

Oh and P.S. Yes I have used Spell check on my part of the post.

The question wasn't very well written. Perhaps at the end something like '....in relation to the 720 degree cycle.' might have helped. It is correct though as it relates to timing not sequence. True, the cam sensor (generally) tells the computer what cylinder is doing what, but the actual 'timing' of events is in relation to information received from the crank position sensor due to its higher resolution and greater accuracy. That's my understanding anyway. Cheers, Phil