Applying to bike shop for job?

Question

i am applying to my local bike shop (i'm only 15 so my first job) are there any important things i should do during my interview, or any quick facts about biking i should keep in mind? all answers appreciated

Answer 1

Know the bicycle business, and what job you are actually applying for. Remember that in large parts of the country cycling (and bike shops) is very seasonal. There are also busier times of the day and week. Weekends and afternoons the busiest. Mondays and Fridays are often busier than the other weekdays. Be willing to work at these times, or whenever else they might need you.

If you are trying to get a job selling bikes highlight your preexisting knowledge of bikes, and your ability to communicate effectively. If you are trying to get a job repairing or building bikes highlight past repairs you've done to your own bike, and other mechanical experience - working on a car counts.

It always helps to have been a good customer of the shop in the past, and to be known within the local cycling community. Participating in several aspects of the sport doesn't hurt either. Someone who is familiar with both road bikes and mountain bikes is a much better candidate.

Answer 2

Like any interview, you need to make sure you give the interviewer your undivided attention.   Make sure you have a few questions to ask them as its common for the interviewer to end the session by asking you, "Do you have any questions?"   If you say "no", it looks like you are an idiot.   Ask them something like, "Will I be able to further my bike knowledge and learn a lot from this job?   Can I work on my own bike here on my own time?   Do I need any of my own tools?   Do not ask things like, "What is the pay?   Can I have weekends off?   How much vacation time can I take?   Do I get an employee discount?

Hopefully you are generally interested in working on bikes and learning all you can;  everything else is secondary(pay, hours, etc)   Make sure you show enthusiasm;    you must be an avid biker also......not many bike jobs out there, so you pretty much have to be a bike junkie....learn a lot about the kind of biking you love (road or mountain) and know what the current technologies are..........