Sometimes family needs to not help.

So I'm still unemployed. Everyone in the family knows, so everyone is keeping a lookout for prospective work.

My FIL however, while he's a great guy, is overselling me to people that he talks to and it's bugging the crap out of me. I get that he's trying to help, but it's putting me in a bad position when I do talk to these people.

So he has a client that owns a small regional trucking company. He was talking to them one day that I was looking for work and asked if they had anything. He told them that I am a great diesel mechanic and I went to tech school and that I would be good for them.

The client stated that they were discussing getting an in-house mechanic because they out source everything and they feel like they are paying too much, so I should give them a call.

NOW, the problem is, that I have absolutely zero Diesel Truck experience. I have worked on light duty pickup stuff a few times, but that's it. The last time I touched a Semi Truck was in tech school and that was 12 years ago. I have not retained much of that stuff.

Now I have to present myself in a way that doesn't make my FIL look like he was lying (remember this is a client of his) and not be lying myself. I also DO NOT want to deceive anyone into thinking that I am someone I am not.

I have to call this guy today and I'm stressed the hell out.

Be truthful. No stress then.

That's a tough spot.

If I were in your shoes I would let them know it's been a while since you've wrenched on a diesel and it will take some time to get up to speed.

I've been out of it for about 8 years and, unless it was an older fleet, I'd be fighting an uphill battle. There have been tons of changes since they tightened up the emissions requirements.

Ranger50 wrote: Be truthful. No stress then.

+1. Be truthful and essentially say your FIL misunderstood your experience level.

Maybe you would be a good fit. Don't overstate your skills, but also don't sell yourself short. Ball joints are ball joints. oil and lube works the same regardless of motivation or age. Admit to them that you aren't up to speed on the latest and greatest in the diesel world because it's been a while since school and things have changed, but also that you're willing and able to learn and get things done.

Use it as an opportunity.

Tell them you have diesel experience, but it's been a little while, and that your FIL doesn't realize the details.

But then find a way to communicate that you are confident you could serve their needs well, and the opportunity would be that you can work a little cheaper than some diesel mechanics, and therefore save them a bit of money.

(Don't say WHICH diesel mechanics you can work cheaper than. There's GOT to be someone out there billing at $200 per hour or so)

Be glad for the support of your family. My family has always maintained a "don't mix work and personal life" and therefore despite some great connections I dont think I'll ever get any networking on behalf of my well connected family. I think this is also because despite my casual/disorganized demeanor, I do well in my career, have good references, and aside from a single part-time job years ago I don't think I'd have a supervisor say a bad thing about me. My family might think I'm a lazy bum who's only interested in job hopping.

In reply to SyntheticBlinkerFluid:

Look at it this way...

Your FIL might get you an interview. That's a LOT more than some people get.

Tell them the truth.

You have no idea what their needs are, or what they are looking for. You might be perfect.

Right, use it simply as a conversation starter. The potential employer might like your candid response, and they may say "well we could use you in this other, higher paying capacity"

Stop and see what value proposition you CAN bring to the interview. Sell that package.

Make a list of what you KNOW you can and can not do on the fleet. (That is a hint to figure out what they vehicles they run before the interview)

Being an army of one, they probably don't expect you do cover everything. If you can handle the routine mechanical stuff (ball-joints, oil, brakes and filters) then you will be earning your keep and getting up to speed. Think of it partially as a service manger job since the owner wont have to deal with the hassle of interacting with the third party shop every-time a truck goes in.

I have no idea what this company does, but if you come across as a useful person, there might be a spot you were not aware of.

SVreX wrote: Use it as an opportunity. Tell them you have diesel experience, but it's been a little while, and that your FIL doesn't realize the details. But then find a way to communicate that you are confident you could serve their needs well, and the opportunity would be that you can work a little cheaper than some diesel mechanics, and therefore save them a bit of money. (Don't say WHICH diesel mechanics you can work cheaper than. There's GOT to be someone out there billing at $200 per hour or so)

That's about what I was going to say. It sounds like you have several good points - you're trained to work as a diesel mechanic, and you've been working as a truck mechanic at your last job. It's just that it sounds like most of your work at that last shop was on gas motors (and perhaps your father in law wasn't quite aware of that). This still looks like a decent resume for applying to be a diesel mechanic.

MadScientistMatt wrote:

SVreX wrote: Use it as an opportunity. Tell them you have diesel experience, but it's been a little while, and that your FIL doesn't realize the details. But then find a way to communicate that you are confident you could serve their needs well, and the opportunity would be that you can work a little cheaper than some diesel mechanics, and therefore save them a bit of money. (Don't say WHICH diesel mechanics you can work cheaper than. There's GOT to be someone out there billing at $200 per hour or so)

That's about what I was going to say. It sounds like you have several good points - you're trained to work as a diesel mechanic, and you've been working as a truck mechanic at your last job. It's just that it sounds like most of your work at that last shop was on gas motors (and perhaps your father in law wasn't quite aware of that). This still looks like a decent resume for applying to be a diesel mechanic.

Re-read my OP, I have no experience on big trucks. I have the training, but that was a long time ago. I worked for the cable company for the last 7 years. And prior to that it was classic car restoration.

I appreciate everyone's input and I gave the guy a call and am waiting for him to call me back (got his voicemail).

At this point all I can do is see what they are looking for and go from there. I'm not going to lie about my experience. Maybe there is something they have available that I am qualified for.

sidebar: Metro here in DC is hiring. Looking for wrench slingers for the fleet.

FIL is enthusiastically over selling you (you lucky dog, FIL's are not noted for doing that).

Don't in response under sell yourself. Sure, be truthful about your experience and training, but don't deny them either. A good mechanic is a good mechanic, and can adapt to many different vehicle and engines. OK, so maybe you won't be the best thing in the shop since sliced cheese. Then again, maybe he's looking for a basic in shop mechanic to take care of the basic stuff. You can certainly do that, even with a 7 year hiatus.

Don't sell yourself short and talk yourself out of a possible job.

I thought the majority of semi truck work was brakes and tires. You can do that.

I also know that electrical (trailer lights, etc) is something not all techs can do but it is one of the easiest jobs on the rigs.

Point 1: All the best jobs that I've ever had came to me because of who I know, more so than what I know. *

Point 2: If I had started this thread the contents would have been very different.

For example: The need for Aunts to stop injecting themselves into their Niece's Baby-Daddy drama. the girl is a grown adult, and there is a good reason that her mother is keeping the situation at arms length. take a hint already, and do the same yourself.

• Footnote: While writing this I came to the realization that the worst jobs that I've had are the ones that I found on my own.

Its already been said but I'd present it to them that they could save money having you on staff to do maintenance and emergency repairs. Larger repairs would be better to farm out so you don't spend several days on one truck and end up with a back log. Also if you're open to taking some refresher night courses you could mention that.

HappyAndy wrote: Point 1: All the best jobs that I've ever had came to me because of who I know, more so than what I know. *

This is one of the most crucial life lessons in existence.

Gently and tactfully explain that your FIL was confused/mistaken and you actually aren't a diesel mechanic. If they see that you come off well and they like the cut of your jib, they might find something to do with you, as you're already "vouched for".

Take advantage of it in an honest manner.

Good luck.