Automotive detailing job interview

[97prizm]

Hi All,

Yesterday I had a detailing, and repair shop from a major brand reach out to me and set up an interview for tomorrow. This is really quick, and short notice. I have ten plus years detailing vehicles and have applied for this job a couple of times with nothing until now. Does anyone here have any suggestions for interview questions etc? I planned on asking about an average day, tools, detailing processes etc. About company culture (I dislike companies that aren't interested in finding better ways to do things). They mentioned in the email the "STAR" method etc. Any recent interviewees on here or any hiring managers on here have any insights or suggestions? Thanks.

 

[rijndael]

About company culture (I dislike companies that aren't interested in finding better ways to do things). T

On the flip side, as a hiring manager, my pet peeve is a new hire who comes in thinking that we don't have some SOP/procedure already defined. They try to define stuff they aren't super familiar with and end up just wasting time. Ask, before assuming.

I don't have anything else to offer except that I hope your interview goes well.

 

[97prizm]

On the flip side, as a hiring manager, my pet peeve is a new hire who comes in thinking that we don't have some SOP/procedure already defined. They try to define stuff they aren't super familiar with and end up just wasting time. Ask, before assuming.

I don't have anything else to offer except that I hope your interview goes well.

OK good to know. I have a previous jobs been able to help streamline or troubleshoot and come up with a solution to problem areas. Are there questions you like for interviewees to ask you?

 

[rijndael]

We're in different fields, I'm not sure my interview approach is super helpful to you. I do like to go down the resume and ask questions about each bullet item. I'm familiar with most of it, so I like to see if they're a BS'er or not. Did they just touch something 1 time and put it on the resume, or can they list out some technical nuances of that thing that proves it? If we can talk details, I like to see their logic/approach to problems.

I value honesty, a self-starter, and curiosity above a lot of more technical qualities. If you have those 3, you can learn a lot of the details.

 

[AZjeff]

Good luck with the interview. Will you mention now or later you won't touch a Tesla? :7)

 

[JeffKeryk]

Keep your answers short and to the point; don't ramble. Do not be afraid to ask for clarification. If you don't have an answer, don't BS. Say you can research and get back to them.

You may want to write down your questions so that you don't forget any, and you look organized.
If you have any prize work or something you are proud of, you may discuss its success, without being self-centered. Focus on bringing value to the firm.

Regardless of the position, it goes without saying, get cleaned up and be on time. Be attentive.

You got this.

 

[harbor]

Bone up on the behavior-based Star Interview Method….

The better your responses, the better the interview will go.

 

[Astro14]

STAR = Situation, Task, Action, Result

Using that format, you will be asked questions that start with “Tell us about a time when you ____”

Then, that blank will be filled in with things like, “had to deal with a difficult customer” “Change a person’s mind” “failed in your responsibility”.

So, go through all of your life experiences, and think of them in response to that format. Choose “stories” that first, answer the question, second, show you acting like a mature adult, and third, demonstrate how you’ve grown/learned from those experiences.

A bit of Google/interview prep will give you a range of questions - put in the work. Write them on a flash card back, and then have the story on the obverse. Have someone hit you with the questions, and then you answer them from memory.

Hope this helps.

 

[svtrit]

It is very wise to interview the company, as you have outlined with your questions above. I'm not sure if your industry is like mine, but I always ask about the turnover rate. That tells you more about the culture than the lie they will most likely tell you.

 

[D60]

Nice, next time I'm in the Denver area I'll allow you to practice on a black interior with Husky fur. It will hone your skills and I won't even charge you for the practice

 

[RooflessVW]

Nice, next time I'm in the Denver area I'll allow you to practice on a black interior with Husky fur. It will hone your skills and I won't even charge you for the practice

I always turned down dog hair jobs.

 

[Owen Lucas]

I didn’t know auto detailing jobs were so serious. This must be a premium outfit handling very exotic vehicles! Good luck.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Had an old boss that literally had interviewed likely 1000 people (all professional jobs). He used to say "we lie to them and tell them how great it is to work here, they lie to us and tell us how great of an employee they are". I digress.

The STAR method is structured, so make sure you understand practice it. Come up with your generic answers ahead of time - because I guarantee you will get something along the following (because most managers are super lazy). You can taylor them on the fly rather than coming up with them from scratch.

-- Tell me about a time you solved a customer problem / irate customer / etc
-- Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a co-worker / boss and how you handled / resolved
-- Tell me some problem / process you solved / improved
-- Some problem you caused or did poorly - hint what there looking for is you screwing up and then cleaning up your own mess in the end.

Welcome to management, and thank you for reminding me why I left it.

Good luck!

 

[Sumboodie]

STAR = Situation, Task, Action, Result

Using that format, you will be asked questions that start with “Tell us about a time when you ____”

Then, that blank will be filled in with things like, “had to deal with a difficult customer” “Change a person’s mind” “failed in your responsibility”.

So, go through all of your life experiences, and think of them in response to that format. Choose “stories” that first, answer the question, second, show you acting like a mature adult, and third, demonstrate how you’ve grown/learned from those experiences.

A bit of Google/interview prep will give you a range of questions - put in the work. Write them on a flash card back, and then have the story on the obverse. Have someone hit you with the questions, and then you answer them from memory.

Hope this helps.

That's seems WAY overkill for a job washing cars. When I hired workers, I could usually tell within a few mins of just chatting if they would work out or not.

 

[Astro14]

That's seems WAY overkill for a job washing cars.

I’m not the one hiring - and the OP stated that the STAR format was to be expected in the interview.

 

[Sumboodie]

Nice, next time I'm in the Denver area I'll allow you to practice on a black interior with Husky fur. It will hone your skills and I won't even charge you for the practice

I vacuumed out my car a few weeks ago. Been probably 4-5 years since I'd done more than a very quick vac job or fire up the leaf blower to clean the interior.

Forgot the back seats can come apart to make a flat with teh truck floor till then. Found so much black lab hair it plugged the Sears shop vac. My black lab passed 6 years ago. Found some receipts from 2010 too, which is when I bought the car. And a set of keys that I have no idea who lost.

 

[Sumboodie]

I’m not the one hiring - and the OP stated that the STAR format was to be expected in the interview.

Yes, just seems wild.

I interviewed for a job that they had 3 stage of interview. After never hearing back after stage 2, I gave up on them. Was told "we'll let you know by Monday" I guess they meant Monday 6 months later.

They called for stage 3 and I told them no thanks, I already was working another job. They legit got upset over it, expecting that I was waiting on the edge of my chair for them to call I guess.

 

[Dave Hess]

Hi All,

Yesterday I had a detailing, and repair shop from a major brand reach out to me and set up an interview for tomorrow. This is really quick, and short notice. I have ten plus years detailing vehicles and have applied for this job a couple of times with nothing until now. Does anyone here have any suggestions for interview questions etc? I planned on asking about an average day, tools, detailing processes etc. About company culture (I dislike companies that aren't interested in finding better ways to do things). They mentioned in the email the "STAR" method etc. Any recent interviewees on here or any hiring managers on here have any insights or suggestions? Thanks.

You’ll do fine if you got 10 years of experience and they have some STAR scenarios.

I like to ask the applicant some hypothetical industry related questions.

Maybe have some photos of your work to show ?

 

[wavinwayne]

You've been given sound advice. Now for the other kind: Tell them what your spirit animal is even if they don't ask.

 

[The_Jeff]

Also, go into the interview with at least a passably clean car and self. Even applying for a non-detailing job or apartment it's good to show you're organized/ not a slob.