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Would a shop hire me as a ski tech with no xp?

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e.littt
Posts: 414 - Karma: 2,348
Right now I'm just working as a lifeguard at a small pool and it honestly sucks. Super boring job and I'm pretty sure my boss hates me so I'm going to quit before I get fired for some random reason (she fired two other people for minimal reasons).

Anyways I was thinking of working a job as a ski tech at a local shop, but the only thing I know how to do is wax skis and boards, and tune bindings because that's really all I have access to do. Honestly, I have no idea what a ski tech job entails besides mounting bindings and edge tuning.. maybe someone could fill me in.

Yeah I'm just rambling now but is the job flexible? I'm in university right now so obviously I can't work a lot but I can work a decent amount (like 3 times a week).. I'm getting off topic. I don't even know if this is the right forum..

Thanks anyways..

TLDR: I want a(nother) job.
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Sep 12 2014 3:04PM
14 6
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ndye
Posts: 3756 - Karma: 7,088
They might hire you as weekend help but Im not sure. Go in and say hello and see if they need help
Sep 12 2014 3:07PM
0 0
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Iliveinutah
Posts: 1250 - Karma: 5,147
i mean depends on the town you live in. if its known for skiing or has a decent amount of the population that skis or boards you chances are slim. if there is not many people who ski or board then ya you have a leg up. its about 50/50 really depending on your age. and your general knowledge of the sport. if i was running a shop and you tell me what you just said, no wouldn't hire you because it sounds like you don't know what your doing. but hell apply man all they can say is no
Sep 12 2014 3:09PM
0 0
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,682
If you can reliably show up on time, and sober, for shitty pay, and inconstant hours, you will be ahead of the curve.

Seriously, everyone with experience started without experience. This isn't one of those jobs where you get an internship to build up your resume... They can teach you how to mount skis, tune, wax and scrape shit. The job is pretty far left on the 'skill required' bell curve, and is mainly staffed by alcoholic, drug abusing ski bums. Why do you think so many skis are miss mounted?
I've been fortunate to work in a couple of the only shops that actually hired people who could hold an intelligent conversation.
Sep 13 2014 2:20PM
1 1
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powerbong2000
Posts: 737 - Karma: 1,802
I would recommend showing up with some beer and weed.
Sep 13 2014 4:17PM
1 0
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razors-chaz
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,250
I'm by no means a fully fledged ski tech but I spent last season working rental and servicing full time and likely to be doing the same again this year. I got into it partly through getting involved with the uni ski club and going down to their workshop for the members and their members rental and just got used to waxing, edging, doing p-tex repairs and adjusting bindings and then as I got more friendly with my local shop from being in there a bunch to both talk to them about what they were stocking in terms of my purchasing and to buy stuff I eventually persuaded them to show me how to mount my bindings, so after being shown a couple, having a practice in their shop, I mounted my new pair and remounted an old pair. From their I made it clear I was interested to learn how to do the rest of the stuff and when I went in to get services I would ask if I could watch, maybe do some and lend a hand where I could. This sort of became a regular thing and so I ended up getting a full training course informally. This, combined with a decent knowledge of ski technology on the market, got me my job last season. So I wouldn't quit your job yet but get to your local shop take a pair of skis in need of a service and express an interest in learning what goes on in servicing and see where it goes from there.
Sep 13 2014 5:28PM
1 0
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the_armidilo
Posts: 189 - Karma: 1,488
no you need 50 xp to be a ski tech
Sep 13 2014 5:46PM
7 4
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S.J.W
Posts: 7609 - Karma: 31,182
When going in for an interview pledge that you will work hard and try to learn as much as possible.
Sep 13 2014 8:16PM
1 0
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
Go in ask and ask if they need help. Even if you aren't a ski tech they might need people on the floor answering questions and helping people pick out gear.
Sep 13 2014 8:26PM
1 0
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dyyylan
Posts: 186 - Karma: 500
"I don't have a lot of experience working with ___ but I love ___ and really want to learn as much as I can and I think company ___ would be a great opportunity to do that"

this has always worked well for me in interviews. having a passion for what the business does and wanting to learn makes you a lot more valuable than some random guy just looking for a paycheck
Sep 13 2014 8:39PM
0 0
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skier58284
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 5,365
Everyone has to learn somewhere, I think with that kind of job it's expected that they'll train you how to do the stuff. As long as you have some basic knowledge I assume you have a pretty good chance (I've never worked at a ski shop so I'm not sure, just guessing). It wouldn't do any harm to apply at least.
Sep 14 2014 12:10AM
0 0
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ChillTeenDad420
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 5,512
cobra_commanderI've been fortunate to work in a couple of the only shops that actually hired people who could hold an intelligent conversation.


sturtevants techs (the ones i went to once 3 years ago) were condescending pricks that took 3 weeks to mount fucking bindings IN APRIL. get over yourself
Sep 14 2014 12:17AM
0 0
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crotchvent
Posts: 1527 - Karma: 2,182
ChillTeenDad420sturtevants techs (the ones i went to once 3 years ago) were condescending pricks that took 3 weeks to mount fucking bindings IN APRIL. get over yourself


The guy i go to will pick them up at the ski hill and have them back to you the next day at the hill and best part is its only 30 bucks and he waxes them too.
Sep 14 2014 5:18PM
0 0
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