i've got a job interview coming up for installation, i know electronics but i've never worked in the car audio field. Does anyone have any tips on where i should start researching to get caught up on the lingo and just a basic knowledge of installation, etc...(and maybe something i can throw out there to impress the guy thats interviewing me)
thanks!!!
Replies (2)
ttocs on 04/12/2006 15:20:43
they will not go too much into detail if you do not have prior experience installing. This is a job that you will only start to be comfortable after a couple of years.. You should know series and parallel wirring, hopefully you know a little about relays(you will use these alot!), and it would be helpfull if you knew security terms such as posative trigger, neg trigger, as well as 5 wire lock diagrams.
I would NOT go in there trying to impress them with some BS. This is a trade where nobody knows everything, but they all want to think they do. I have interviewed many people wanting to start installing. I have never hired anyone that thought they knew all the answers when they were wrong, and there have been alot of these... When we hire an installer, we want someone that can work on a project with a little direction, and expect them to come to us when they have questions, before they do something they shouldn't. If you want to impress them, just let them know that you want to learn, will not work above your ability for risk of damaging something, and will probably ask alot of questions.
For instance..... The shop that I work part time for has hired a guy in his 40's that claimed to have been installing for 15-20 yrs, and of course knows everything... He is walking the thin line of getting canned first because he does not know nearly as much as he claimed, 2nd because he cannot follow simple instructions, and 3rd because HE JUST WILL NOT FOLLOW SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS................. The boss/owner will tell him one thing, he does the other, and when it doesn't work because he did it his way he tries to blame someone else. I have told the owner for 3 weeks now that he needs to send him out to find a wire stretcher.....
swez on 04/12/2006 18:15:05
Sage advice there ttocs! CLAP
Many installers are successful at being a good "Generalist". They understand and practice good wire splicing techniques, know how to use a VOM well, able to improvise and fabricate tools as needed to get the job done with minimal time lost.
Be teachable! Learn from the old hands. Hopefully, they are skilled at many phases and patient enough to allow you to ask the many questions that will crop up on a daily basis.
Bring in donuts, bagles or coffee for the install crew on a periodic basis. This shows appreciation to the guys that have to train you. Get on their bad side early on, means you'll be hitting the bricks in short order.
Read the install manuals on various gear this shop commonly uses. Take them home to review the details and become familiar with the terms and the "how and why" things need to be done in a specific manner. This applies especially to alarms, remote starters, HU's, amplifiers and speaker wiring diagrams. Most of these can also be pulled off the Net, via Mfg's web sites.
Finally, here's a good pair of sites for many basic/advanced wiring jobs you will face. Read them as you can and plan on getting certified as an installer in all areas, germane to what this shop does on a regular basis.
http://www.the12volt.com/
http://www.bcae1.com/
Good luck on your interview,
Swez
thanks!!!
Replies (2)
ttocs on 04/12/2006 15:20:43
they will not go too much into detail if you do not have prior experience installing. This is a job that you will only start to be comfortable after a couple of years.. You should know series and parallel wirring, hopefully you know a little about relays(you will use these alot!), and it would be helpfull if you knew security terms such as posative trigger, neg trigger, as well as 5 wire lock diagrams.
I would NOT go in there trying to impress them with some BS. This is a trade where nobody knows everything, but they all want to think they do. I have interviewed many people wanting to start installing. I have never hired anyone that thought they knew all the answers when they were wrong, and there have been alot of these... When we hire an installer, we want someone that can work on a project with a little direction, and expect them to come to us when they have questions, before they do something they shouldn't. If you want to impress them, just let them know that you want to learn, will not work above your ability for risk of damaging something, and will probably ask alot of questions.
For instance..... The shop that I work part time for has hired a guy in his 40's that claimed to have been installing for 15-20 yrs, and of course knows everything... He is walking the thin line of getting canned first because he does not know nearly as much as he claimed, 2nd because he cannot follow simple instructions, and 3rd because HE JUST WILL NOT FOLLOW SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS................. The boss/owner will tell him one thing, he does the other, and when it doesn't work because he did it his way he tries to blame someone else. I have told the owner for 3 weeks now that he needs to send him out to find a wire stretcher.....
swez on 04/12/2006 18:15:05
Sage advice there ttocs! CLAP
Many installers are successful at being a good "Generalist". They understand and practice good wire splicing techniques, know how to use a VOM well, able to improvise and fabricate tools as needed to get the job done with minimal time lost.
Be teachable! Learn from the old hands. Hopefully, they are skilled at many phases and patient enough to allow you to ask the many questions that will crop up on a daily basis.
Bring in donuts, bagles or coffee for the install crew on a periodic basis. This shows appreciation to the guys that have to train you. Get on their bad side early on, means you'll be hitting the bricks in short order.
Read the install manuals on various gear this shop commonly uses. Take them home to review the details and become familiar with the terms and the "how and why" things need to be done in a specific manner. This applies especially to alarms, remote starters, HU's, amplifiers and speaker wiring diagrams. Most of these can also be pulled off the Net, via Mfg's web sites.
Finally, here's a good pair of sites for many basic/advanced wiring jobs you will face. Read them as you can and plan on getting certified as an installer in all areas, germane to what this shop does on a regular basis.
http://www.the12volt.com/
http://www.bcae1.com/
Good luck on your interview,
Swez
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