Need a Job

[Huck Fonda]

My how quickly and severely things can change.

I find my self among the other 10% of California residents who are out of work. I would appreciate any leads any of you could offer.

A little about me:

Went to MMI in Phoenix in '94~'95 and did all of the metric programs they had there at the time (Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha). Made Student of the Phase and Directors List a number of times, also received recognition for perfect attendance repeatedly.

While in school I cut my teeth at a multi-line dealer (Honda, Suzuki, Sea-Doo, Yamaha), where i made my share of mistakes, but also suceeded and set my career path in motion.

Spent some time at an ALL Honda shop (cars, snowblowers, ATVs...), then on to Service Manager at a Yamaha / Ducati dealer. Next was a little over a year at a Honda / Yamaha shop before hiring on at Corporate Yamaha.

3 years in Service started with a regional service rep position which turned into tech coordinator for personal watercraft products and eventually also outboard motors. This was working out of the Kennesaw, GA office.

A move to CA landed me in parts and accessories, where I went from accessories coordinator, to supervisor, to assistant departmenet manager of business planning in 3 years. The last 2 years in Cypress were spent as a product specialist in the Legal Division.

Outlines of the duties of each of these positions can be provided in my resume upon request, along with personal and professional references. I have a strong working knowledge of the MS Office products including PowerPoint and Access.

Bottom line is that Im the kind of guy that can jump in, learn fast, and provide results no matter the task at hand. Grandpa once told me to "work like you don't need the money", and I had a lot of respect for the man. Now I'm not perfect, and I certainly know when and how to ask for assistance if needed, but my target is to complete a task ahead of schedule, which allows for the unforeseeable.

I really prefer to stay here in So Cal, but would have no problem with a commute to the Bay Area, Vegas, or Phoenix if necessary and/or with reasonable compensation considerations.

Please PM me if there are questions, and thank you all in advance for your consideration.

Phil Chapman

 

[RsvlFeej]

Sorry to hear of your plight. No job leads, I'm afraid --- Although Roseville Yamaha seemed a bit short-staffed today, with your c.v., don't think your salary would justify you sitting behind a parts counter again.

Best of luck (and there but for the grace of God, go I),

RsvlFeej

 

[Toecutter]

The last 2 years in Cypress were spent as a product specialist in the Legal Division.

Hmmm, not good, with them laying folks off. Best of luck in your search....

 

[FarWestFastEddie]

Pacific Motorsports (Yamaha & Honda) in Eureka! Ca. just had their service manager

quit and head south, this as their new digs, huge building is nearing completion and

due to open in a few months. Eureka is a great town, not really, but free air

conditioning in the summer, and right on the water, with LOTS of mountain highways,

Ya Might wanna look into it...

FAFE

 

[kenporider]

That sucks bro, I feel your pain. I've been out for the last six months and am just starting a new career today. You have my sincerest best wishes.

 

[scubabiker]

From what I've seen, the industry is short on qualified technicians. It's a tough job that takes a good education and a decent brain. But like the auto industry, mechanics are still thought of as high school drop out, grease monkeys. Todays systems are varied and complex, it takes skill to work on them. Unfortunately, most shops aren't willing to pay what a good mechanic is worth, so those with the inclination to be a motorcycle tech. end up going into more lucrative fields.

 

[Kromm]

I am sorry to hear about the lose of your job. Especially in these times of huge layoffs in all industries. I have always been one to look at the positive side of everything. I believe that the old saying is true. When God closes a window, he opens a door. It's just sometimes you need to look for that door. With all your qualifications, have you thought of opening your own shop? Look around your surrounding area. Maybe find a a place where there is no shop , and look into what it would take to open one up. All major cities usually (except Lake Tahoe, how I know this is another story) have a dealerships, but the outlying areas are usually forgotten about. Back in the day when I was riding my old KZ, It always seemed to know when I was not near a shop and started to give me a problem.

Just a thought for ya,, I hope everything works out...........

 

[Huck Fonda]

Thanks all for the support.

Rsvl - I really wouldn't mind being behind the counter again. Sure the $$ would be disproportionate, but it would beat the unemployment checks (maybe?).

Far West - Might just have to fid the time to ride up there and at least check it out. I haven't seen the northern coast yet.

Scuba - I agree all too much. I hate the thought of trusting my machines to anyone else's ham-fisted efforts. In all humility, I'm the kind of tech you can trust. Been thinking about that more and more, just need to get current on everyone else's products.

Kromm - That's an ideal for me, but not yet. I'll get to that point, but there are other things that need to be accomplished first. And as to the windows and doors, I couldn't agree more. This will work out for the better, I have confidence in that.

Thanks again, and this kind of response is why I love this forum and this community of riders. Good people.

PC

 

[dcarver]

Huck, damn, it's good to hear from you again then sad to hear you too are on the list. I sure enjoyed your previous posts when you casually stirred up the inmates with just a phrase or two..

I'm sure you'll find work. I have another 'Huck' story to tell. Local guy, great tech. Perfectionist, and 5-star rated. Many years in the MC biz. You draw the parallels. Big MC store he worked out went out of biz. He's now working on paperwork to start his own repair shop. I guarantee you he will be swamped from day one - and I'll be 'promoting' his services cause he is *that* good and *that* reliable.

Same for you?

Good luck Huck, and post up more often, k'?

 

[Huck Fonda]

Thanks Carver. Where's his shop going to be?

 

[Fastfar]

There are a couple of new ads on Craigs List for moto/atv mechanics in the Sacramento area....

I'm have the unemployment check blues myself, wish I had a background in the moto-field...