Anyone work in the parts dept at an autodealer?

"thebigbossyboss" (thebigbossyboss) 01/07/2016 at 17:18 • Filed to: Parts, Dealership, Career advices

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Being the unemployed bum that I am, I thought I should jump at the opportunity to apply to work at a parts dept at a local dealership. Only problem being my entire resume has nothing to do with cars at all because my previous career was in federal politics writing briefing notes.

Any advices on how to translate my automotive experience from being an enthusiast into resume form is welcome.

Photo of Lambo’s I randomly spotted at Best Buy for your time.

Many thanks!

Diesel > thebigbossyboss 01/07/2016 at 17:20

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Find El_Uly, he works in the parts department, or at least he used to.

BeaterGT > thebigbossyboss 01/07/2016 at 17:23

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So damn pimp

CB > thebigbossyboss 01/07/2016 at 17:25

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Paging Takuro.

Jcarr > thebigbossyboss 01/07/2016 at 17:25

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Takuro works in a parts dept I believe.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > thebigbossyboss 01/07/2016 at 17:29

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Sorry I don’t have any advice, but them Diablos need to be out on the roads more. I miss seeing them; not even that interested in seeing Murcs and Aventadors.

thebigbossyboss > CB 01/07/2016 at 17:30

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I have paged him. How is ottawa?

thebigbossyboss > Jcarr 01/07/2016 at 17:30

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Thanks. I paged him.

thebigbossyboss > BeaterGT 01/07/2016 at 17:30

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Randomly coming across these three was the greatest day ever.

CB > thebigbossyboss 01/07/2016 at 17:31

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It’s not cold. The canal is closed. There are ducks everywhere. I’m scared.

How’s BC?

thebigbossyboss > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever 01/07/2016 at 17:31

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Prior to seeing these three I had only ever seen one previously, on a highway near Vancouver BC circa 1996.

thebigbossyboss > CB 01/07/2016 at 17:32

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Cold. There is snow everywhere. There are no ducks. I am scared.

EL_ULY > thebigbossyboss 01/07/2016 at 17:32

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Yes! It all comes down to learning the programs. Not only the brand’s parts system, but the program to charge and manage inventory.

Working for 4 brands, it gets a bit complicated having to learn all 4 systems.

Parts is more than learning the programs, it’s also:

Managing inventory

Ordering parts

Recieving parts

Managing deliveries

Running the shop counter (dealer techs)

All parts policies!!!

Dealing with wholesale customers

Dealing with front counter customers

Dealing with customers in the phone

Leaning all warranty parts policies!!!

New car accessories

Returning warranty parts and damaged items

Battery policies and cores

Managing parts cores and charges

Charge accounts

Etc.

thebigbossyboss > EL_ULY 01/07/2016 at 17:34

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Thanks Uly. At least this is a job description. I didn’t even get that from the ad. It was about 6 words in total lol. “Parts person wanted. Previous parts experience good” lol.

EL_ULY > thebigbossyboss 01/07/2016 at 17:40

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Lol really? Welp, it all depends on the dealer. Smaller dealers will have you deal with most sections of the department. Others may set you just with wholesale, techs, or recieving

thebigbossyboss > EL_ULY 01/07/2016 at 17:42

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Right on. Hope I can rejigger my resume to sound like I know something about this stuff. I hate being unemployed. I am also very very far from other Oppos lol.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > thebigbossyboss 01/07/2016 at 17:43

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I work as a cashier at a Chevy dealer. So I handle all the money from parts orders and customers who get their vehicles serviced.

I’m 17. My resume involved serving at a retirement home and bagging groceries. I never had to balance a cash register or even really handle money before.

The best thing you can do is try and apply in person and actually talk with them. The whole reason I got hired was because they could see I had a passion and was excited to be a cashier. Try and speak face to face with someone.

Good luck

Takuro Spirit > thebigbossyboss 01/07/2016 at 17:44

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Most places would just be happy to hire someone who likes cars. Learning the computers and how to talk to customers and techs can be taught.

Loving cars? You gotta be BORN with it. I’ve worked with/for too many people that treated the dealer like a 9-5 job just to get a paycheck and let me tell you, those who lived and breathed cars? They were happier, more profitable, and more well liked by the customers than those just there to punch a clock and reap the discounts.

EL_ULY > thebigbossyboss 01/07/2016 at 17:45

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As long as you can shiw the employer that you know what the details of the job and that you are willing to learn. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask sir

thebigbossyboss > EL_ULY 01/07/2016 at 17:45

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This was quite useful thank you Uly. I wish we didn’t live 3000 miles apart I’d love to meet someday.

thebigbossyboss > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/07/2016 at 17:49

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Thanks JQJ. Amazing what you young kids can teach us oldies.

Chasaboo > EL_ULY 01/07/2016 at 17:51

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Damn, that’s a lot of stuff to learn. I have a much greater appreciation of the requirements after reading that list you provided.

thebigbossyboss > Takuro Spirit 01/07/2016 at 17:52

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I believe if you ask any of my family members they will tell you I’ve been car obsessed since I was about 2 or 3.

I used to stand in the elementary school field fence and just watch cars go by on the street at that age so hopefully my passion for all things automotive comes out.

Thanks Takuro, you have encouraged me!

Takuro Spirit > thebigbossyboss 01/07/2016 at 17:55

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Now take that attitude and WIN that interview!!

thebigbossyboss > Takuro Spirit 01/07/2016 at 17:56

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Sir, yes sir!!

EL_ULY > thebigbossyboss 01/07/2016 at 18:40

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Heck yeah Bx3.

Probably more miles at the moment. I was supposed to be back in Houston on Tuesday but my back gave out here in Mexico DF. I missed a week of work. I’ll be back on Sunday and full OPPOing on Monday

I Will Always Be The Honey Badger > thebigbossyboss 01/07/2016 at 19:08

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I did a few years in a Canadian Chrysler dealership. Mention that you do have an interest in cars, but they will be more interested in the fact that your previous work experience requires you to be thorough and precise. Parts department employees look for someone who can accurately and reliably deal with information and numbers.

thebigbossyboss > I Will Always Be The Honey Badger 01/07/2016 at 19:37

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Thanks M8!

pip bip - choose Corrour > thebigbossyboss 01/08/2016 at 02:05

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i work in parts dept. (Holden/Subaru/Audi)

i left school on a Friday , started work following Monday.

had no experience when started , just be confident , go in willing to learn , eventually you’ll be great at it.

thebigbossyboss > pip bip - choose Corrour 01/08/2016 at 12:18

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Thanks.

thebigbossyboss > EL_ULY 01/11/2016 at 15:38

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Geez I hope you feel better.

EL_ULY > thebigbossyboss 01/11/2016 at 15:43

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i’m at a good 85%. Almost 15 years of being hunched over working on cars will do that. Yay parts department !I’m trying to take it a bit easy here at work. It’s slow and i’m at Aston/Lotus today so it’s even extra slower lol. How was your weekend Bx3?

thebigbossyboss > EL_ULY 01/11/2016 at 15:49

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Good! I went to Quesnel BC for breakfast then drove back here and went snowshoeing. Then I played a card game called cribbage and lost a lot haha. I am working on my parts application now. I am just debating whether to use my whole cover letter to talk about how I know about the job or how what I have done is tangentially related.

EL_ULY > thebigbossyboss 01/11/2016 at 16:22

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Man I haven’t done a resume in forever. That town looks pretty rad. Never heard of that card game

thebigbossyboss > EL_ULY 01/11/2016 at 16:30

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Haha. Yeah Quesnel is one of my favourite places around here. It is pretty rad. I may end up with some work in that area. Cribbage is a scottish or english game I think it’s very popular in Canada. I play with my girlfriend all the time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cribbage

thebigbossyboss > Takuro Spirit 01/21/2016 at 00:38

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Damn, they filled the position before I could apply. But they said they would give my resume to the service advisor anyways.

Takuro Spirit > thebigbossyboss 01/21/2016 at 10:01

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Well don’t give up, even stores that are fully staffed might be looking to replace a guy. ;)