If you’re passionate about cars, chances are you’ve considered a career in the automotive industry. You may be drawn in by the large salaries and comprehensive benefit packages, or by the job security and opportunities for growth this industry affords its workers. Particularly on the manufacturing side of things, making cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles is a lucrative field to get into. This is because the field is booming; Canada’s automotive industry is globally competitive, making it very appealing for people who are thinking of pursuing a career in it.
If this is you, you are one of thousands of people who are interested in this field. Whether you’re a recent graduate looking for a role that suits your interests and goals, or an experienced worker hoping to make the right change, a career in the automotive industry is an excellent option. We’ve compiled some tips to help you pursue this career–these tips will help you get the most out of your job while doing something you’re passionate about.
1. Ask Yourself, “What Do I Want?”
One of the great things about this industry is that it encompasses and offers so many career opportunities. Whether you like sales, marketing, manufacturing, design, technology, or even finance, you can find something that combines your skillset with your passion for cars.
The downside, however, is that it can sometimes be difficult to choose exactly what direction you want to go in. This is why it’s so important to ask yourself what you truly want to do. Ultimately, you won’t be satisfied with your career–even if it is the automotive industry–unless you’re doing something you are interested in. Knowing this will help you sustain your motivation year by year.
2. Do Your Research about Various Roles
As important as it is to find out what you want to do, it’s equally important to do your research. Each larger field has many different types of positions, so it’s good to get familiar with these positions and find out the direction you want to go in. For example, consider the following titles in the automotive manufacturing:
- Machine Operator
- Quality Controller
- Sorter
- Forklift Driver
- Injection Molder
- Assembler
- Shipper/Receiver
- Welder
You should also consider the barriers to entry for each particular role. In the manufacturing side of things, many opportunities are entry level and are relatively easy to get into without prior experience. These type of foot-in-the-door opportunities can certainly go a long way in shaping (or reshaping) your career in the automotive industry!
3. Don’t Neglect to Network
Another way of getting your foot in any door is to network. Networking, which is an art in its own right, is about developing contacts that can help you land a job you want. Whether you’re reaching out to people in real life, through social media, at a job fair, or through good, old fashioned letters, it can be very beneficial to ask for help from others who might have some connection that can help launch your career in the automotive industry.
Specifically, connecting with people already in the industry will also help your research. You can “interview” these people to help you understand their background, education, or experience, which will help you determine what you need to get the role you want.
4. Use a Staffing Agency
Pursuing a career in the automotive industry can be tough, and you may get frustrated at the seeming lack of opportunities. Working with a staffing agency, especially one that specializes in the automotive industry, can definitely help make this easier. They can help you fix up your resume, find opportunities, and prepare you for the interview.
Looking to pursue a career in the automotive industry? Liberty Staffing can help.
