Mechanic: What is the cost of hiring?

What is a mechanic?

A mechanic possesses the skills required to troubleshoot and diagnose problems with vehicles, heavy equipment or machinery. They can also perform the necessary repairs and conduct regular maintenance, ensuring the safe and optimal operation of customer vehicles, your company’s fleet or heavy equipment and machinery.

Why hire a mechanic?

Does your company have a fleet of vehicles, construction equipment or industrial machinery that requires regular inspection, maintenance or repairs? If so, a mechanic can ensure that these assets run smoothly and last as long as possible. Filling a new mechanic position at your thriving automotive business could also increase traffic and boost customer satisfaction.

Contributions of a great mechanic:

• Enhances vehicle safety: Regular inspections and maintenance can prevent unexpected mechanical problems, improving vehicular safety.
• Lengthens lifespan: Diagnosing potential problems before they happen and performing repairs properly can decrease the likelihood of vehicles being out of service, while extending their longevity.
• Increases customer satisfaction: Preventive maintenance and skillful repairs can defend against further damage and costly fixes in the future, leading to improved customer satisfaction rates.
• Elevates productivity: Mechanics who work on industrial machinery, heavy equipment and fleet vehicles can prevent business disruptions, potentially elevating their company’s productivity and output.
• Boosts company image: Skilled mechanics possess the expertise required to troubleshoot problems quickly, execute repairs with precision and communicate their course of action to the customer effectively, helping to enhance your organization’s public image.

Defining your hiring needs for a mechanic

If you’ve determined that you require a mechanic, the next step is to define your hiring needs for this role. Do you require a part-time, full-time or freelance mechanic? If you have a small number of company vehicles or other machinery, or your business is seasonal, you may only require an independent freelancer or part-time mechanic. If your organization has a large number of vehicles or relies heavily on machinery, it may be wise to hire a full-time mechanic.

What are the types of mechanics?

Before taking steps to secure a mechanic, consider what type of mechanic best suits your needs. Mechanics can vary based on what they repair, ranging from cars and trucks to construction equipment and airplanes. They may specialize in specific aspects of the engine or machinery, such as diesel engines, electrical repairs or high-performance vehicles. Some mechanics may even concentrate on one brand of vehicle. Here are a few positions that are closely related to that of a mechanic:

• Auto mechanic
• Diesel mechanic
• Heavy equipment mechanic
• Aircraft mechanic
• Small engine mechanic
• Industrial machinery mechanic

When writing your mechanic job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting. These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on mechanic jobs, according to Indeed data: 

• automotive technician
• automotive
• heavy-duty mechanic
• truck mechanic
• 310t
• automotive mechanic
• automotive service technician
• 310t mechanic
• technician

Want more hiring insights for your mechanic? Sign in or create your free Indeed account.

Where to find mechanics?

To find the right mechanic for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

• Trade schools: Partnering with a local trade school can yield a harvest of freshly trained mechanics, providing you with the opportunity to recruit them as future hires before they even graduate.
• Employee referrals: Your team of mechanics can likely provide you with a list of qualified referrals, especially if you have an effective employee referral program in place.
• Flyers: Posting flyers on community notice boards can spread the word about your opening and attract potential candidates.
• Social media: Advertising your position on your company’s social media accounts and your company’s webpage can yield new applicants.

Post your job online. Try posting your mechanic job on Indeed to find and attract quality mechanic candidates.

Skills to look for in a mechanic

A successful mechanic candidate will typically have the following skills and competencies, which may be gained through a variety of experiences, training, or education:

• Technical proficiency: A skilled mechanic possesses a thorough understanding of all aspects of the vehicle or machine’s systems and the ability to employ diagnostic tools.
• Problem-solving skills: A top candidate can quickly diagnose a problem and identify the optimal solution using diagnostic tools and trial and error. When it comes to vehicles or machinery, they listen attentively to the driver or user’s description of what they are experiencing.
• Dexterity and fitness: Mechanics work with tools and small parts, requiring manual dexterity. They also work in tight spaces, stand on their feet, lift heavy objects and bend in different directions, necessitating a degree of physical fitness.
• Attention to detail: An eye for detail ensures that repairs and inspections are done thoroughly and safely, with every bolt and screw secured in place.
• Customer service abilities: A top-notch mechanic boasts excellent customer service skills, including the ability to communicate complex information to customers in easy-to-understand language, pose questions that help pinpoint the mechanical problem and interact with your clientele in a positive fashion that increases customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Writing a job description for a mechanic

Now that you know the key skills, salary expectations, popular job-seeker search terms and hiring insights for a mechanic, you’re ready to write a job description.

A mechanic job description typically includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities, and the required and preferred skills for the position. You may also want to include information about your company culture, benefits and perks to attract candidates to your open role.

Ready to get started? See our full guide for writing mechanic job descriptions. 

Interviewing mechanic candidates

Strong candidates for mechanic positions will be confident answering questions regarding: 

• Prioritizing tasks and managing time in a bustling environment
• Explaining complex problems or repairs to a customer with limited technical knowledge
• Strategies for keeping up to date on the latest technologies, equipment and the introduction of new vehicle makes and features, and an appreciation for the lifelong learning journey
• Difficult repairs they have conducted, their diagnostic approach, how they identified a solution and the final results
• Health and safety procedures, including the use of personal protective equipment, handling hazardous materials, attentiveness to moving vehicles and other preventive measures
   

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of mechanic interview questions.