I am going in this evening for an interview this evening for a pt install job and am unsure what to ask for starting pay-rate.

Of course this is all assuming they hire me, but where did you guys start out at with bb?

 

really, it goes off of experiance. I walked into cc at 17.50 and then went to salary 60k year with bonus. Are you mecp? they will pay more for that

 

No, I'm just what they will see as entry level. Do my own cars and friends once in a while.

Used to work for a company they owned doing car audio sales though, so that really can't hurt ha ha.

 

Good luck on your interview!

Generally, anytime you interview, it is always best to over-sell yourself than to play the humble role. Even if you end up "biting off more than you can chew", at least you'll get more $$$ while the dumbasses that hired you try to figure out what went wrong...

Of course, bad reputations are built that way, so don't over-do it.

Since this would be your first "official" job as an installer, it might help to bring out a picture portfolio of your previous work. Don't forget the ones with the scantily clad chicks... unless your interviewer is a non-lesbian female, or a gay dood. Portfolio holders are cheap, and make you look like a star when you walk in... This will show them that you are more motivated and better prepared than the next guy... a better hire.

Don't let your self-perceived lack of experience fool you. If they advertised an entry level position, then you can have the confidence that your **** is better than "the next noob". Explain that while you might be "entry level" for BB, you have plenty of experience (including sales/cust srvc) to draw upon.

As far as starting pay rates... Demand too much and they laugh. Demand too little and they will question your knowledge/experience. It's best to give them a tight range above what you're really willing to settle for. From what I read in this forum, this should be in the low double-digits...

DISCLAIMER
I am not a professional installer. I am an amateur reader of posts in this forum, and my old *** has been through enough failed and successfull interviews to have a semblance of how the hiring process works (in most service industries). UNDERSTAND THEIR NEEDS, and address them the best you can.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Anonymous &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Best of luck, sincerely!
JasonGhostz

 

at my store i think most pt installers with basic knowledge is in the 8-9 an hour range. good luck with your interview. remember you have at least $500 worth in tools and a relay cosists of a coil, spring, and contacts. (they usually ask) wrx killer , if you dont mind me asking, what did you do to switch to 60k salary?

 

Pretty sure I put $15 an hour on the original application 1 month and a half ago ha ha.

Well turns out I go back for a 2nd interview on saturday morning

 

Starting pay in so cal is $13.75 with no certs. I would ask for at least $14.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JSPECSIR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">at my store i think most pt installers with basic knowledge is in the 8-9 an hour range. good luck with your interview. remember you have at least $500 worth in tools and a relay cosists of a coil, spring, and contacts. (they usually ask) wrx killer , if you dont mind me asking, what did you do to switch to 60k salary?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I turned roadshop manager and I supervised 4 stores

 

Good luck @ best buy. They usually give you want they want to pay you. I dont think they ever asked me what I was expecting. And yes, he is correct about the relay. They will ask. They will ask where you can use one too, like as a starter kill.

 

Yea, they have a thing about relays, they ask about them up here also, so dazzel them, here are a few things you can do with a relay or relays... http://dlcparts.com/images/BoschGuide.pdf 94

edit for wrong link.



Modified by fcm at 6:54 AM 6/16/2007

 

I got my advanced MECP and corporate has ignored it for a month (and counting). Then my manager felt sorry for me and only bumped me up .50. I told her I was expecting a dollar. So I'm probably the least paid advanced MECP in the state at $14.50.

 

17.50 huh? socal has a much higher starting rate than norcal i guess even though our cost of living is just as high. our paycap for a regular installer is 15.25 up here, i doubt id be able to get a raise above that with all these cc layoffs.

 

Well, went in for the second interview this morning and I have to say, it is pretty damn easy to get a job at best buy.

They asked me nothing about practical application of installation, or knowledge of how to do just about anything, including all that relay stuff. All I did was explain a couple systems I've down in my own cars and that was about it.

Talk about dazzle them with bullshit eh?

 

WTG, MAN!!!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by misanthropist &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">They asked me nothing about practical application of installation, or knowledge of how to do just about anything, including all that relay stuff. All I did was explain a couple systems I've down in my own cars and that was about it.

Talk about dazzle them with bullshit eh? </TD></TR></TABLE>
It's always better to have and not need, than to need and not have...

Now, get ready for things like this:
"Can you please install a DVD Player in my car with an LCD Screen in each of my Window Visors? I need my car back in an hour..." Gotta love it...

In any case, congrats on your new job! Keep your mind open and your motivation high, and you'll get the most out of this experience. WTG!
JasonGhostz

 

Yeah most of the Best Buys are still very low level installer-wise. And everywhere they're hurting for good installers who are also good employees.

I had to go through five interviews. I thought I was playing it cool but they thought I wasn't really all that motivated to get the job.

$17.50 is overstated. He was a supervisor over 4 stores. $15.25 cap sounds about right. I know CC's cap was $15 when I was there. My roadshop senior/sup makes $16.72. The non-certified guy makes $13.75.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JasonGhostz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">WTG, MAN!!!

In any case, congrats on your new job! Keep your mind open and your motivation high, and you'll get the most out of this experience. WTG!
JasonGhostz</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks man

I'm just working there to get some experience installing, get certified, and once I get to full time, use their tuition reimbursement to help pay for school

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by suspendedHatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah most of the Best Buys are still very low level installer-wise. And everywhere they're hurting for good installers who are also good employees.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

5 Interviews? Damn that's a lot.

Best buy is kind of a shitty place to work if you have no ambition/aren't getting anything out of it, but it's definitely a foot in the door

 

We all told you how much we make, but you haven't told us! Spill your guts!

 

Which BB are you working at? I need some customized work on my screen. Are you willing to do any work on the side? This is only if I don't figure it out myself.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by suspendedHatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">We all told you how much we make, but you haven't told us! Spill your guts!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Started at 11/hr. Considering I don't have any professional experience or any certification I don't think it's bad at all.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 00ekcoupe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Which BB are you working at? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Best buy will probably want to charge you an assload to do work through the shop. What do you need done? Pm me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by suspendedHatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Starting pay in so cal is $13.75 with no certs. I would ask for at least $14.</TD></TR></TABLE>

damn i got eff'ed when i got hired. nowhere near $13.75, anyhow congrats to the op for getting hired

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by suspendedHatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

$17.50 is overstated. He was a supervisor over 4 stores. $15.25 cap sounds about right. I know CC's cap was $15 when I was there. My roadshop senior/sup makes $16.72. The non-certified guy makes $13.75.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I would not lie to you bud. No one to impress. That's what they were paying me I'll try to find a tax paper or a old check stub to im to you. I walked in with my resume and a book of my work. I tried to get 20hr but they were like hell naw. Plus I knew I was not going to get that anyway. O well aim high right. They tried to get me for 13.75, then it went to 14.75. I said that's okay. And I walked. 3 days later they called me and hit me for 15.55. I took it and a year later I went up to manager and they gave me 17.50. True story I felt underpaid after awhile because I had to drive to different stores that were no were close and sometimes I worked 14 days straight.

 

I don't doubt you. But we're talking about entry level pay and you're talking about manager pay.

 

Yea, thats true, and this was when cc had money about 5 years ago,lol. I giv them 4 more years till they go out of business or shut down car audio all toghter.