On the Road to a Revved Up Motorcycle Job

There is one universal truth about motorcycles — they are cool. There is something about the open road that links motorcycles to freedom. Shows like "American Chopper" gave us a glimpse of the artistry that goes into creating those dream bikes.
Working in the motorcycle industry requires you to be part grease monkey and part Michelangelo. There is a future for you in this industry if you can create a piece of art with a 160 horsepower engine.

Job Prognosis

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly rate for a motorcycle mechanic is a little more than $17 per hour. This number varies depending on location and expertise. Like many jobs, the more you know and the better industry sector you work in, the pay goes up. Working for a motorcycle dealer will earn you the average, but landing a job with a specialty manufacturer will give you a 25 percent bump. The Bureau of Labor statistics sees the outlook as a little bit slow but, if you can master auto and motorcycle repair, the outlook is very good.

Technology Future

On one end of the cycle spectrum there are the bikes used for dirt biking and motocross. At the other end are the luxury motorcycles built for comfort and style. Somewhere completely off of the spectrum are the concept bikes. Motorcycles are a rapidly changing technology and someone getting into this field will want to be on top of all of the engineering. Installing parts on a motorbike is one skill set, but creating the Swordfish concept cycle is another. To truly be successful in this industry, it is best if you can do both.

Get The Paper

Because motorcycles vary so greatly, the credentialing for repair and manufacturing has just as much variety. You can get a certificate as a motorcycle mechanic or a degree as a mechanical engineer. How much time you want to invest depends on your passion for the job. A certificate program will typically take 36 weeks to complete and will teach you about the electrical system, engine, and fuel system as well as give you troubleshooting instruction. A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering will take about four years and will give you the knowledge to design motorcycles.

The Resume With Horsepower

The resume is the traditional document needed to get a job, even in the motorcycle trade. The first step in writing a good resume is knowing about your target employer and making the resume specific to the company. Create an employer-centered resume and make the case that you are the best fit for this company. If the employer specializes in race bikes, then highlight your racing experience. Also use this time to hone your own requirements. If you cannot show that you belong with a company then maybe that company is not right for you.

Your Job Search Pit Crew

Jason DiSalvo couldn't be a successful racer without his pit crew — they fuel him up, change out his tires, and make minute adjustments to get him across the finish line. 

Think of the MotorcycleIndustryJobs.com resume team as your pit crew. Even if you've got mad skills and a killer resume, it is well worth the $29 to have our team of experts give your resume one final review for key mistakes in grammar, spelling and formatting.  

Just a few errant keystrokes can move your resume from the top of the pile to the recycling bin, and the spellcheck function isn't foolproof. 

Add an extra "y" and "Looking for a part-time position" turns into "Looking for a party-time position." Drop an "s" and "Skilled motorcycle mechanic" reads more like a rap sheet as "Killed motorcycle mechanic."

We all need a support crew. While you friends and family usually have the best intentions, you can't necessarily trust them to give it to you straight — at MIJ our main goal is to help you land your dream job. Click here, and we'll help you perfect your resume today. 

Manage Your Online Reputation For Job Search Success

Stacked with personal pictures and LOL worthy quotes, social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter house enough dirt on many of us to make our mothers cringe.

Before you upload your resume on MotorcycleIndustryJobs.com conduct a quick online audit to ensure potential employers can’t see that pic of you doing a keg stand at your cousin Marty’s wedding — while it was surely impressive at the time, it won’t impress your potential employer.

Start by locking down the privacy setting on all of your social networks. Click here for a guide to managing your Facebook privacy setting courtesy of Lifehacker and click here for the 411 on Twitter privacy.

Once you’ve got your privacy settings locked down, enter your name into Google and see what comes up. Blog posts and comments, forum activity and other online interactions can tell a detailed story on who you are and what you believe. Delete anything you’re not comfortable with a potential employer seeing, and if you don’t have the power to delete the content yourself, contact the blog or website owner to see if they’ll help you out.

Managing your online reputation isn’t just about putting your name under lockdown.

Having an up-to-date LinkedIn profile is a must for any job seeker. Join relevant groups including the Powersports Industry Network and Motorcycle Industry Professionals. Take part in the conversation or start a thread of your own to establish yourself as an expert in your field.

Another great opportunity to insert your professional opinion and stay abreast of industry news is via the industry media including Motorcycle & Powersports News, Powersports Business and Dealernews. If you aren’t getting their newsletters, sign up for them now, the same goes for following their social media channels and those of other relevant industry OEMs and manufacturers.

All three of the abovementioned media outlets have article commenting features on their sites. Sign up for the forums with your real name, and you’ll get credit for your smart industry commentary when you future boss Googles you, and that’s a heck of a lot better than that picture of you at the bar last weekend!

Meet Your Job Search Co-Pilots

MotorcycleIndustryJobs.com is hands down the best resource for powersports job seekers from entry-level dealer personnel to senior management at the industry's top manufacturers and distributors. 

MIJ is an incredible platform to connect job seekers with the job of their dreams, and while posting your resume on MIJ is an incredibly easy process, deciding what to say to potential employers shouldn't be taken lightly. 

Crafting the perfect resume and cover letter can literally change the course of your career, so it's no wonder this somewhat intimidating process leaves many of us staring at a flashing cursor on an empty white screen. 

That's why MIJ has introduced our resume writing services. Whether you need a little help crossing your "Ts", or you'd prefer to just leave the task to the experts, we're here to help you write a resume and cover letter that will help you land an interview for the job of your dreams. 

In addition to our resume services, we'll be using this blog to share regular tips and tricks on the job search process. Got a question or success story? We'd love to hear from you. 

Our goal is to make the job search process as stress-free and as short as possible. Your new career is just around the corner — let's get you there!

MotorcycleIndustryJobs.com Launches New Site

Carlsbad, CA, June 27, 2012 — MotorcycleIndustryJobs.com is proud to launch a superior job board and upgraded website. Already the leader in the field, the new site incorporates state-of-the-art computer software to cater specifically to the powersports industry. More features, enhanced listings and direct links to social media channels are just some of the upgrades.
“We are confident that employers and job seekers alike will love the increased resume exposure, time-saving features and the updated look of the site,” says MIJ founder, Alex Baylon. “In addition to the facelift, employers and job seekers will enjoy some great new features.” According to Baylon, the job seeker accounts have had the biggest upgrades.
Foremost among these upgrades is the ability to build resumes online by filling out a simple web form. Add photos, upload videos and attach files… all with a click. Job seekers can also upload their resume straight from LinkedIn, as well as now having the ability to control who can view his or her resume.
Further enhancing the experience are the instant job notifications via e-mail immediately when a job is posted that matches the desired category and location. The “Priority Resume” feature places a job seekers’ resume above all others. However, the upgrades are not limited to job applicants.
Employers can now enjoy several new features, including:
Resume alerts: The MIJ system will alert employers anytime new resumes matching the employer’s criteria are entered into the system.
Screening Questionnaires: Employers now have the ability to create questionnaires that require a passing score before a job seekers can apply for their position, pre-screening any non-qualified applicants.
Employer Sub-Accounts: Employers with multiple dealerships can now create accounts for all of their locations.
“We encourage everyone from the powersports industry to create a free account and upload their resume to MotorcycleIndustryJobs.com,” says Baylon. “MIJ helps create opportunities for everyone… Even if you are currently not looking for a new career, a new career could be looking for you!”
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MotorcycleIndustryJobs.com is the #1 job board serving the powersports industry. MotorcycleIndustryJobs.com has proven to be the premiere service for connecting the best companies with the most qualified job seekers for the past five years. Visit www.MotorcycleIndustryJobs.com  to see first-hand how MIJ can benefit you or your organization!

MIJ & WPS

Motorcycle Industry Jobs (MIJ) & Western Power Sports (WPS) join forces to connect the industry with employment services.

PRESS RELEASE -for immediate release-

Carlsbad, Ca. - Motorcycle Industry Jobs -February 18, 2012

Motorcycle Industry Jobs, the leading provider of employment services and job opportunities to the powersports industry, announced today that it has joined forces with WPS to offer employment services to its vast network of motorcycle dealers. Services include both job postings and resume browsing. Dealers can now connect with Motorcycle Industry Jobs services directly through their WPS rep or the WPS website.

“We at Western Power Sports are proud to be partnered with MIJ said Western Power Sports’ National Sales Manager Doug Riipinen. “Our reps are consistently asked if they know any good mechanics, parts people, sales guys etc. Now our reps will be able to help the dealerships find their next employee."

This is a perfect fit, said Alex Baylon, President/Founder of MIJ. "This partnership will further expand our reach of strategic partnerships. WPS reps will be able to reach thousands of employers and job seekers, to help fill the many positions that require industry experience. They will also have an outlet to help job seekers find positions within the industry"

About: Motorcycle Industry Jobs

Motorcycle Industry Jobs is the market leader of online employment services and career opportunities exclusively servicing the motorcycle/powersports industry. MIJ’s employer and job seeker services can be found online at www.MotorcycleIndustryJobs.com .

February eNewsletter

Dealer Expo is coming up soon!   Indianapolis,  February 17-19

We have a completely new booth and some exciting things happening this year. 
Indy Specials??  Stop by and find out! 

Come experience our booth at #4943
We can help you post a job, do an in-person tutorial or just answer any questions you may have.   

 

Rumor Mill

We have recently found out that Career Builders has been telling their customers that they have 'partnered' with us and that if employers post a job with them, they automatically get it posted on Motorcycle Industry Jobs.  Although we are flattered, it is not true.  Motorcycle Industry Jobs is still the only significant online job board who specializes in the Powersports industry and drives search engine optimization to your job postings by linking up with industry specialist like the AMA, MPN, Cycle News, Cycle Trader, Racer X, Hookit, Sprocketlist, etc, etc.        

 February Specials 

1.  1 x 60-day Job Posting for $149  

2. 1 x 30-day Job Posting PLUS 30-day Resume Browsing for just $259

3. 3 x 30-day Job Postings for $350