Help Wanted
I just want to ask what gives in our industry? I got my first motorcycle for my second birthday and have been on pegs ever since, working in setup, parts and sales at a few dealerships. I’m currently finishing my second tour overseas and am trying to find a job in the industry. I applied at three major manufacturers, a major gear company and a semi-popular gear company, and got nothing. None of these guys could use a young guy who doesn’t mind traveling? I guess I’m going to have to start name-dropping and using resources, which is completely against everything I stand for. But I guess-even in our industry-it’s not what you know, it’s who.
Dustin Sarver, the jobless GI
IraqThanks for the letter, Dustin. In truth, the off-road industry has been taking a bit of a bashing lately, and a lot of places are struggling just to keep sales afloat, which may account for the lack of a reply to your application. But don’t let that stop you; many manufacturers, shops and gear companies are still understaffed and in need of good people. I, too, am firmly against name-dropping, but don’t get that confused with networking, which is the best way to make anything happen in the industry. My advice? When you get back to the States, move to Southern California and start riding at all the local tracks. Be polite and positive, teach yourself to remember names and squeeze the heck out of every hand that you shake. Eventually, the right job will find you, kind of like mine found me. Best of luck! -Chris Denison
I just want to ask what gives in our industry? I got my first motorcycle for my second birthday and have been on pegs ever since, working in setup, parts and sales at a few dealerships. I’m currently finishing my second tour overseas and am trying to find a job in the industry. I applied at three major manufacturers, a major gear company and a semi-popular gear company, and got nothing. None of these guys could use a young guy who doesn’t mind traveling? I guess I’m going to have to start name-dropping and using resources, which is completely against everything I stand for. But I guess-even in our industry-it’s not what you know, it’s who.
Dustin Sarver, the jobless GI
IraqThanks for the letter, Dustin. In truth, the off-road industry has been taking a bit of a bashing lately, and a lot of places are struggling just to keep sales afloat, which may account for the lack of a reply to your application. But don’t let that stop you; many manufacturers, shops and gear companies are still understaffed and in need of good people. I, too, am firmly against name-dropping, but don’t get that confused with networking, which is the best way to make anything happen in the industry. My advice? When you get back to the States, move to Southern California and start riding at all the local tracks. Be polite and positive, teach yourself to remember names and squeeze the heck out of every hand that you shake. Eventually, the right job will find you, kind of like mine found me. Best of luck! -Chris Denison
