Hiring?
 

Looking for something "New" and "Exciting". My current job is not as great unfortunately. Yes I am grateful to have a paycheck, this I understand. However, the money it takes to make it to work plus the supervisor I work with makes my life a little hard.

The basis of my thread is to seriously seek work within the automotive industry. After attending Formula D, I witnessed tons of individuals who work behind the scenes with some of the various teams who were competing. It felt great watching from the outside looking in, but also depressing in knowing that I was'nt part of the action. They looked focused and assured of themselves. Falken staff for example....they looked bad ass and even had really cool team shirts. In short, I guess I just really want to be involved more in motorsports. I've talked a little with ganesh who was generous enough to lend a helping hand, but yet, I still need to put in work and search harder for a promising gig. Please, anyone, if your reading this and know someone within your network who can use a enthusiastic gearhead like myself.....PM ME :icon_tup:

Before I forget...Im located in the the torrance/carson area. Hope this helps.

You still need to e-mail me your resume for me to actually try to help you find something :) However, this industry (especially when related to japanese car aftermarket) is somewhat hurting. The european and american aftermarket is not hurting as much.

ganesh@tanabe-usa.com or bmwneotype@yahoo.com

either works.

I was there at formula D, just for 2-3 hours though, it got somewhat slow...so i left.

Open up a shop... I'll join up with you and move to LA. Rotary & Body work.

I'm sure as hell dk would sign in too!

Sounds really cool. More on this later.


Oh ok. I netwoked a bit there as well. Talked with Formula D's Ryan Sage and RJ De Vera from RO_JA wheels.

I'll email you ASAP so that you have my info. Ive been so busy and what not. Thanks for your help buddy :icon_tup:

job
 

it's bad in the auto market atm man i have 27 years in parts American and import dealers and aftermarket . I have over 50 resume's out there and not one call back i know atleast 3 others in the same position . keep your job man whatever you do .

^^ I see. Thanks for the feedback sir, really appreciate it. Im tenacious especially when WANTING to get somewhere. As bad as things may seem, I remain patient and focused. I hope that the best comes your way and maybe we'll both be where we should in this industry soon. :)

Miata_mx5 you work @ tanabe? my friend Micheal works there.

fc pro am, whats your resume/experience look like? do you have any background in anything aftermarket? Usually you need something thats a shoe in, in my opinion. I had an interview for a advertising assistant position with Tein last year but unfortunately didnt make it *or they couldnt offer the position as the email was sent to me and another person who was interview*. One of my other friends worked @ Koyo in the motorsports department, making like 3k a month, in charge of sponsorships, going to all the formula D races etc, and when he left to pursue his own thing, he put in word for me to take his position but I probably didn't have enough background, but @ Koyo he told me they are a very strict Japanese fashioned company, mostly Japanese staff, and my friend was also Japanese. lol

Living in Socal is def. a plus for getting into this. I just dont think your going to be rich tough unless you get a high up position.

Usually you can work your way in, like if you know someone who can put a word in for you, or if they are familiar with one of your prior employers *like say you worked at another aftermarket company, that would stand out because you probably know the ins and outs of the scene.

Your a car tuning enthusiast, you work on your own car, attend as many car meets/events as you can, participate in a car community *like this forum*, great points to emphasize on saying its your passion and hobby.

Id love to get my foot back in the door, something relating to marketing/advertising. Im jus pushin some wack office temp job right now myself =(

As far as experience, Ive worked for two different car companies. Both were porsche involved. PS racing in burbank (still active) and rusnak Porsche also active. I've portered, tech assisted, basic tuned. installed and various other tasks.

Id say a majority of my hands on experience stems from working on my own car (FC3S). Nothing compares to wrenching on your own vehicle...that's pretty much where I shine.

I'll say that definitely meeting a lot of people in the industry can present oppurtunities. It's just that sometimes, I get this annoying feeling that Im not accepted or excluded from this secret society type deal. It's a bit discouraging. If people got to know me, Im really humble and quite the hardworker. My passion is cars and imports. I love it, it's all I think about. Thanks for the info hypertek, I'll keep everyone updated as I embark on this search.

i used to work at LA Prep with nukeall and socalrotor.

that's the closest i'll get with cars for that one.

good luck with your search Ed.

Yes, i work with Mr.Migs :)

It really all depends on the kind of company you want to work for. If you work for a more american market directed japanese company: APEXi, Tanabe, Work Wheels, etc...chances are easier. If you want to try to work for Fujita Engineering's US Distributor, MINE'S USA, NGK/NTK or like Tomei USA, then chances are you need to have a good idea of the culture and how a japanese company works, because being able to get along in and around the workplace is very key. You don't HAVE to be japanese, but it definitely helps if you know their mentality, culture, and how motorsports/car culture is different from here and to japan.

But, even here, we still have a lot of things that we do that are more unique to japanese companies. The way we have meetings, and some of the business etiquettes, etc. I learned a little about how to work for a japanese company back when i worked for Takagi Industries (we did tankless water heaters).

Hardworking, and being humble are definitely great traits, but you also need to find your own identity and identify a name for yourself. Meaning, choosing companies that represent what you look for in automotive parts, and then trying to work for them. There was a lot that went into me deciding i wanted to work for Tanabe/SSR Wheels. All their products are made with excellent QC (in japan too), very high quality, offer good customer support, have good style/sizes for wheels (all things that i really look for in a company when parts shopping). This is also the same reason i would never work for Megan Racing, Rota wheels, or Crower cams (their customer support blows and they fail to admit obvious flaws in their products although their stuff is decent)

Hypothetically speaking, if you work for AXIS, ROTA or Motegi wheels (or a big rep of them), then it does not look that good on your resume if you then try to work for Rays engineering. Or if you were an employee or supporter of Megan Racing or K-Sport or some knockoff / made in china brand and then go try to work for HKS USA or Penske Suspensions. Sad to say, but unless you start your own business, then then working for the big companies is the way to get some decent income.

This industry (especially japanese aftermarket) can be VERY SUPERFICIAL and entails a lot of politics, which is kinda why all the people with the nice toys don't work here full time LOL.

yeah that would be a good gig ... Good luck to you ed i once did tires at the falken booth for formula D and it was pretty chill... You meet alot of good and shady people just watch out and make the right decisions

i need A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahaha

this is not the time to be trying to get into the import industry honestly. or to be changing jobs as a whole

u needz wackyz. :bj:

everyone wants a new job these days, im one of them. Working at the same place for almost 4 years can be hell. i just need a change. goodluck fropick and vajaimen!!

eh not everyone. i love my job. i want to kill my coworkers sometimes but......thats normal lol

yeah same here. my job is cool, easy, not stressfull at all but sometimes i cant stand my manager and district manager. Theyre just lazy!!! they should be getting my paychecks and i should be getting THEIRS. i just wanna uppercut them all

well thats a given upper management is always a bunch of retards.

look at the government....perfect example

Yeah it might not be the time, but good companies which are solid, are withstanding the bad economy. At least from what I was told. Guess it would be best to ask directly during my interview or something :lol:

Thanks man., I'll keep aware of teh shady people. Im typing this right now and I cant help but get upset at how much time I wasted with dead-end gigs. If only I knew then what I know now, Id be much happier.

I see. Good write up and informative. I like companies like KAAZ and APEX, TEIN is antoher of my fav's, although I think you said they were shutting down a location out here in the states...you can correct if Im wrong.

Overall, Im free to whomever you think I fit best and most importantly, a company seeking someone enthusiatic. Hope I can relay that to them genuinely without sacrificing my integrity. We'll talk again soon.

id like a new/ better job since i really dont wanna be working in the food industry id rather be in the automotive field if anything since thats where im better at

Tein is not shutting down their US office, but a very good source tells me 2 out of 6 of their big offices in japan just shut down due to them hurting.

I would also look into some of the larger, more solid companies: Brembo, stoptech, TRD USA, Toyota USA, Nissan's West regional office in costa mesa, rays engineering (small office in costa mesa), maybe even mazda usa in irvine. Chances of getting a job, and keeping it are much better with them.

i would keep your job, til the economy gets better hopefully.

i wish i still had my job, i applied almost everywhere, noone called back.


but yea i agree, i say open up a shop so we can work for ya! i'll be the one cleanin and moppin haha :)

i'll organize the books!

theres a few nice tuning shops, would be hard to compete with
http://www.kuremotorsports.com/
http://g-dimension.com/
http://gspeedcorp.com/ <- not really a shop but an importer

Kure's business practices are not exactly liked. But the other 2 look like viable options.