First, let me apologize in advance if this should be in another forum - it was difficult to decide which one was most appropriate.
Second, I also apologize if this has already be discussed - I couldn't find it by searching.
Anyways, I'm moving to a new area and I will need a part-time job (well, I could swing full-time for this first year). During a recent visit to the area I'm moving to I stopped at the bike shop right down the road from where I'll be living. I asked if they are currently hiring and the response was that they are "never really advertising but always seeking good people to add to their team". I plan to try to set up a job interview next time I'm in the city. Since I know there are a lot of people here who have experience working in bike shops, I thought this would provide a wealth of good advice. Here's a little about me, and then you can tell me if I stand a shot at all, and if so, how to best go about securing the job:
I would be happy to work as either a salesman or shop mechanic (do bike shops usually have employees serve as just one or the other? Or both?) On the sales side of things, I feel like it's worth noting that I will be pursuing a degree in Physical Therapy. I have to feel like a knowledge of biomechanics is extremely applicable to a job like this. On top of that, while I am not as knowledgable as members of this forum, I am still MUCH more knowledgable than most when it comes to singles speeds (with a little knowledge of internally geared bikes as well). The shop consists of approximately 1/3 single speeds/internal geared bikes (Raleighs and Electras), 1/3 MTB's, and 1/3 road bikes. This would be my greatest liability, though - I know next to nothing about derallieur-based bikes. While certainly I can try to learn as much as I can in the next month and a half, there's no denying that many customers would come into the store knowing more than I would. On top of that, while I can spend all day telling you about the fine subtle nuances that seperate one vintage Schwinn from another, most modern MTB's and road bikes admittedly all look the same to me .
Things are pretty similar on the mechanical side of things - I can fix dang near anything on a cruiser, but my knowledge of derailleur-based mechanics is lacking, and I also understand that the work I do on my cruisers does not involve the kind of precision that goes into fancy top-of-the-line modern bikes. That being said, I would always love to learn how to fix more things .
So, with all of that said, does it sound like it even makes sense for me to apply? I feel like (if they were willing to take a chance on me) I would learn a ton and it would be a great experience. There are no bike schools remotely in the area, so I'm sure that the people they hire and mostly (if not entirely) self-taught. What kind of qualifications/experience did you have when you started your first bike job? How did you go about landing the job?
Any and all advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Second, I also apologize if this has already be discussed - I couldn't find it by searching.
Anyways, I'm moving to a new area and I will need a part-time job (well, I could swing full-time for this first year). During a recent visit to the area I'm moving to I stopped at the bike shop right down the road from where I'll be living. I asked if they are currently hiring and the response was that they are "never really advertising but always seeking good people to add to their team". I plan to try to set up a job interview next time I'm in the city. Since I know there are a lot of people here who have experience working in bike shops, I thought this would provide a wealth of good advice. Here's a little about me, and then you can tell me if I stand a shot at all, and if so, how to best go about securing the job:
I would be happy to work as either a salesman or shop mechanic (do bike shops usually have employees serve as just one or the other? Or both?) On the sales side of things, I feel like it's worth noting that I will be pursuing a degree in Physical Therapy. I have to feel like a knowledge of biomechanics is extremely applicable to a job like this. On top of that, while I am not as knowledgable as members of this forum, I am still MUCH more knowledgable than most when it comes to singles speeds (with a little knowledge of internally geared bikes as well). The shop consists of approximately 1/3 single speeds/internal geared bikes (Raleighs and Electras), 1/3 MTB's, and 1/3 road bikes. This would be my greatest liability, though - I know next to nothing about derallieur-based bikes. While certainly I can try to learn as much as I can in the next month and a half, there's no denying that many customers would come into the store knowing more than I would. On top of that, while I can spend all day telling you about the fine subtle nuances that seperate one vintage Schwinn from another, most modern MTB's and road bikes admittedly all look the same to me .
Things are pretty similar on the mechanical side of things - I can fix dang near anything on a cruiser, but my knowledge of derailleur-based mechanics is lacking, and I also understand that the work I do on my cruisers does not involve the kind of precision that goes into fancy top-of-the-line modern bikes. That being said, I would always love to learn how to fix more things .
So, with all of that said, does it sound like it even makes sense for me to apply? I feel like (if they were willing to take a chance on me) I would learn a ton and it would be a great experience. There are no bike schools remotely in the area, so I'm sure that the people they hire and mostly (if not entirely) self-taught. What kind of qualifications/experience did you have when you started your first bike job? How did you go about landing the job?
Any and all advice would be appreciated. Thanks!