Interview and resume question.

[Blueberry]

I'm a chef but I think accounting could be fun. I've never learned accounting but I THINK I know what's involved. So I'll apply for an accountant's job in the hopes that they will hire me and teach me to be an accountant.

Don't take this as a personal thing. I'm sure you are very nice and I hope they hire you. But we get these "opportunity to learn more about something that I love" applicants all the time. This is a shop manager's nightmare.
We rarely, if ever, hire these applicants because they really just want to ogle bike parts, get deals and waste my time asking a bunch of questions about their own bikes.
The focus is rarely on customers needs and concerns. They are mostly a liability. We end up using another staff person to fill in the gaps or fix their mistakes so I'm paying two people to do one person's job AND I have a potential customer service liability on my hands. By the time they are anything close to useful for the simplest of customer interactions....the season is over.
In today's super competitive market I can't afford to let you play in my store.

Again, I'm sure you are the exception to this well worn standard. I wish you the best. Maybe you can parlay this info into an interview strategy. Hope it works for you.

So, perhaps, you could offer some tips for how to get the experience you're looking for and actually be the person you want to hire? If someone wanted to change careers to the bike industry, how could they best get the experience you would like to see?

[tulip]

So, perhaps, you could offer some tips for how to get the experience you're looking for and actually be the person you want to hire? If someone wanted to change careers to the bike industry, how could they best get the experience you would like to see?

When I wanted to work in a bike shop, I learned some basic mechanics and I also sold my customer service and retail experience to them. I also told them I would spiff up the display cases, which I did. I sold alot of clothes while learning a little bit about bicycles. I worked in several bike shops, and they were happy as long as I was selling things and making them some money. When there was downtime, I would watch the mechanics. I did change a few flats. To become a good mechanic, however, I would have to take a course since I'm not experienced enough to fix bikes--quickly and effectively. I can fix them slowly and they usually work, but no one will pay me to do that! I also volunteered for a bike coop, but that was much later after my bike shop days.

There are several bike mechanic schools and programs, and retail and customer service experience area always appreciated and valued. Bike shops need to make money just like any other business. Show them how you can help them do that and you will be an asset to them.

[Seajay]

So, perhaps, you could offer some tips for how to get the experience you're looking for and actually be the person you want to hire? If someone wanted to change careers to the bike industry, how could they best get the experience you would like to see?

Sure BB,
I will always consider the communicator with a wide set of skills and interests before the person who lives only for bikes. I want someone who can speak well to a wide variety of clients and get job satisfaction from helping new, inexperienced riders discover the fun of riding.
I have found that the "one dimensional" bike geek quickly tires of the work involved to really master the client relationship. They tend to want to rest on their "bike knowledge"

I can have this person successfully selling to new, "deer in the headlights" clients in short order. This client isn't generally looking for technical gibberish. They want to feel welcomed, supported and have the benefits of a product explained clearly.
Play up your strengths outside of cycling. Most of our clients also have lives outside of cycling. Show how, as an casual but enthusiastic cyclist, you can bridge the gap and really appeal to the "regular" person walking into the shop.
If you can make a ton of happy clients by selling hybrids and kid's bikes and some basic accessories while you learn the rest.... You'll get hired at my shop.
Good Luck!