General Cycling Discussion - Finding a job at your LBS

Hi guys, I was planning to work in my LBS this holidays. It's like I have no school for 3 months. Thus, I want to gain some knowledge on bikes, more hands-on experience on fixing bikes, enjoying myself and earning some money.

Anyone has found a job at the LBS? I would hope that you would tell how you approached the boss. Some do's and dont's when trying to find a job in the LBS, the salary I can get? Also, do I have to have some compulsory knowledge before I can the job? Any particular kind of work I can start doing in the LBS and what I can do when I have nothing to do in the LBS?

Where I live, the shop owners don't want to hire a person who doesn't have at least some of the knowledge. Training a person who will only be there for three months is not very efficient, if you see what I mean.

The last time I bothered making a resume, I think I mentioned I had legible handwriting, was punctual, and had worked in other local bike shops for 10 years :) If you run out of things to do, clean the bathroom thoroughly; that will impress them for sure.

At shops I've worked at, we had plenty of people demonstrate how not to approach the boss. They came in and would ask for a job, saying "I can work on bikes, I work on mine and my friends' bikes." Well, working in a shop is at least 40% working on people. Sales, communication, analysis and explaination prior to booking a repair... people skills are important too.

Good luck if you decide to apply! :)

Most LBS are so small and is just a mom & pops store.

Most of the time they just have family work there. It just a small family business. you really don't need more than 2-3 people working their. So it would be pretty hard to find a LBS the would need the help now would they hire outsiders.

If you know somebody, then its a difference story.

I just recently got hired at a Lbs. The season is winding down right now (which is why im not getting many hours), but in January or February, they beging putting together the bikes for spring. This is also when most of the repairs for spring start coming in. I think you will have trouble getting hired before late winter/early spring. Having said that, now might be a good time to let some local shops know you are interested in working so if and when they start hiring spring help, your name may come up. Good luck.

I had a summer job at a lbs this summer but I quit at the beginning of September because of school.

I really love bikes and I thought that it would be a cool place to work. Well it *was* interesting for the first week or so...then it became really boring. The general population don't own Litespeeds or Bianchis - they ride pieces o' crap that I usually wouldn't touch w. a ten foot pole. Needless to say, I'll be working there again this coming winter holiday...

(it really helps to get a job at these places if you KNOW someone working there already)

But he lives in singapore........do they even have COLD winters? When were having winter are they even at winter season? When I got hired at a local bike shop, the owner actually asked me to work there. Show the owner that you have some kind of skills and arent afraid to take apart expensive bike parts.

Which shop are planning to try to get a job at?
Stew