Take on the "Big Guys"

Take on the "Big Guys"
By Don Terrill (c) - www.RacingSecrets.com

This will go against how society has taught us to think, but I believe it's dangerous to assume someone else is better or smarter just because of their position or title. I'll even go one step further and say it's dangerous to think that way about anyone, at anytime, on any topic.

Use this as your default until you see proof to think otherwise.

Cornell University Findings:

Top performers tended to underestimate their own performance compared to their peers. The researchers found that those participants fell prey to the false-consensus effect, a phenomenon where one assumes that one's peers are performing at least as well as oneself when given no evidence to the contrary.

Not only that, but we overweight certain evidence, like seeing Nascar crew members on TV and assuming they're the best of the best - From my experience, only 20% of them actually deserve to be there.

Here is a litmus test for deciding if you can move to the next level of racing and compete with the "Big Guys": Are you winning at your current level? Yes? You're ready!

Then, just keep moving up until you prove the Peter Principle. (Which I probably did by writing this article) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Principle

Want to find your level of incompetence in a hurry? Try the Leapfrog Theory. http://racingjob.com/2005/08/leapfrog-competition.html

Now for the other side of the coin: Cornell not only discovered that top performers underestimated their ability, but that bottom performers overestimated theirs. Yep, I'm sure we all know a "few" of these.

Summary:

• Question all of your assumptions about the competition - because many are unfounded.
• If you've won at your current level, create a plan to move up - it's time.
  

photo by suddencomfort2

Hey Nascar Team, You Need Me

Hey Nascar Team, You Need Me
by Beverly Terrill (c)

We would never say this to a prospective employer, but it doesn’t hurt to have that attitude.

This shouldn’t be misconstrued as an excuse to be cocky and an a----hole. This is an approach that offers the employer YOU as an asset to the company.

To go to an employer and explain that your mortgage is due, the triplets are hungry and you lost your job 6 months ago, makes you sound desperate. This may in some instances work in your favor but rarely. An employer is not looking for another employee with his life in shambles. That doesn’t paint a picture of a high energy, productive employee.

Put yourself in the Employer’s shoes. If you have a race team that goes to the track every weekend, you must have a group of dedicated employees that know their jobs and do not need constant supervision.

I want you to work through this exercise;

Which job are you seeking?

What are the job qualities for this job?

What additional skills do you possess that would make you an even better candidate for this job?

Let’s say you want to be the truck driver for the team. This is your background and you have the licenses and certifications to prove it. But in addition, you were a short order cook or you hold the neighborhood barbecue at your house because of your excellent ribs! This would be a huge asset to a team. You are going to be there anyway and you can cook for the crew.

You should focus on being able to do 2 or more jobs. Most teams use the same guys who work in the shop as the pit crew on the weekend.

It is also very important that you get along with your teammates. If you want to find the biggest egos in the world, look at professional sports. The sport of racing is no different and may even be worse. You cannot have a bad attitude or chip on your shoulder, although I have heard that if you are in R&D it may be OK.....just kidding! You want to get this quality (if you possess it) across to your perspective employer.

Basically, you want to show the employer that he needs you. You don’t NEED this job although you certainly want it. And it is perfectly fine to have some enthusiasm for the job! Make yourself an attractive candidate for multiple positions and who is going to turn you down.

Regardless of the type of business, all employers are looking for some specific attributes:

Punctual - Always be on time or EARLY

Self Starter - Don’t stand and wait to be told what to do, find what needs to be done and do it.

Work Unattended - If someone has to stand over you or continually answer questions, it now takes 2 people to do this job.

Get along with people - I cannot stress enough how employers love this quality in an employee.

Able to work long hours - Every industry has a peak time. If you plan to be a long term employee, commit to the long hours. It won’t be every week and you just have to remind yourself (spouse, kids etc) that this doesn’t go on forever. There are however times when there is no getting around it.

So there you have it. You are a huge ASSET and you just need to work on getting that across to your employer-to-be. Otherwise, his loss will be the next company’s gain.

photo by shazbot

Watch Racing For Free!

Watch Racing For Free!
By Larry Lenamon II (c)2006

So how can you watch racing for free? Easy! Simply VOLUNTEER to become a race official or race team member! First you need to decide whether you want to work on the race officiating side or help out with a race team. Next, it's just a matter of a little research, make a few phone calls or head out to the local track and then volunteer your time and services. Let's start first with becoming a race official.

Working The Races

As you can imagine there's a lot of behind-the-scenes action taking place to put on and orchestrate a successful and, most importantly, a safe race. As such, every time there is a race, armies of people are needed to help out with all the various responsibilities. Corner workers, starters, pit marshals, tech inspectors, race stewards, timers and registration officials are just a few of the needed positions at each race.

On the grassroots level of racing, where there is usually racing activity going on most any weekend, local tracks and sanctioning bodies can always use a motivated volunteer who wants to help out. That's where you can step in.

So what do you do? Just call or talk with someone at your local track, racing club or racing association and let them know you want to volunteer to become a race official. Since they are primarily a volunteer force, the organization should be readily set-up to accept new "blood" and move you through some training to get you up and running.

If you have a definite preference about what type of position you'd like to volunteer for, let them know when you call. The organization or club will probably have a designated person for you to get in touch with who handles that particular specialty. Once you've hooked up with the right person, they should arrange training for you at the next race or event.

If you are working with a group like the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), you'll actually get a license that allows you to participate in SCCA evidence. The SCCA has a great program for getting interested folks involved in becoming race officials.

Other organizations, like a local karting club may be less formal, but that doesn't mean the safety aspect is any less. Remember, as a race official, safety of the racers, crews and spectators is your primary concern. And in return for your services, you get ,better than front row seats0/00 to great racing action, as well as the pride in having contributed to a well-run, safe, and professional racing event.

Race Team Member

You've seen them on TV - the pit crews jumping over the wall to change tires and refuel, the crew chiefs on the radio, or the guys in front of computers monitoring the telemetry coming off the race car. The road to becoming a paid member of a NASCAR, Formula 1, IRL, or CART team is reserved for the relative few who make the long-term commitment, meet the right people and keep after it. However, just like becoming a race official for grassroots racing is relatively easy, it can be the same for hooking up with a local race team.

As everyone knows how expensive even local-level racing can be, most team members at this stage are volunteers anyway. They are usually family members or friends who like racing and want to help out. If you don't currently know anyone on a race team, it might take you a little more effort. But it really won't be that difficult, especially if you have a positive attitude and lots of enthusiasm (some mechanical skills won't hurt either).

Your first step is essentially going to be heading out to whatever type of local racing track you'd like to be involved with, get a pit pass and then mingle around with some of the drivers and crews. Find someone that is pleasant and you enjoy talking with and then simply volunteer to help out their race team in any way you can. What starts out as simply cleaning off the car after each race may turn into working as a pit crew, mechanic, or other team member down the road.

The great thing about this arrangement is that normally there are no real strict commitments from either party. If you can't make a few races during the season, then it's usually no big deal. Also, if at some point you find another team you would rather work with, then you're not bound with the kind of contract issues like a paid team member might be.

If you've got the time and love being around race cars and supporting a local racing team, then this is a great way to go.

Start Your Focal Local

So you may have noticed a recurring theme throughout this article - THINK LOCAL. Your local track is the heartbeat of grassroots racing in America and abroad. Whether you are going to be a racer, race official or race team member, start local. Support your local track, racing association and teams and whatever type of racing you are looking to get involved with.

This is where it all starts. Become a "pro" at whatever you do on the local level. A strong grassroots racing platform will produce the drivers, crew chiefs, mechanics, etc... who will rise to the upper echelons of racing and thus perpetuate and grow a strong healthy sport.

Why is all this important? Because racing is important. It's one of the greatest activities a family can get involved with whether on the grassroots level or beyond. Also it is one of the most widely watched and sponsored sports in the world. As such, racing is a valuable component of our economy. But probably most importantly is that for the true racers and race fans, there is no substitute! So let's keep it alive and support the sport of racing we love and let's Go Racing Now!

www.go-racing-now.com

Pic by gluemoon

Camping Out - To get a job in racing

Camping Out
By Don Terrill (c)2006

I only use this tip to get someone to do what they're supposed to do, but there's no reason you can't use it to get people to do what you want them to.

Now, when I say camp out I don't usually mean literally, but sometimes I do. Sometimes it takes showing up and staying until you get what you want.

Examples of "Camping Out":

• Show up at their home
• Show up at their business
• Email them
• Call them
• Send a letter
• Doing SOMETHING every day

The Fine Line:

• Push too far, piss them off.
• Push too little, get nothing.
• Push just right, get what you want.

Not everyone is going to have the stomach for this, but the fact is, it works. It's easy for someone to blow you off once or twice, but make them do it everyday and they will finally stop and listen.

And when they stop to listen, you'd better be ready to deliver - but that's for another article.

A cut above the rest!

A Cut Above The Rest!
By Beverly Terrill (c)2006

Do you have any idea how many people apply for jobs in the auto racing industry everyday? I don't know the stat but I read a story about a guy who showed up for a job as a tire changer for one of the lesser known teams and found 300 others dying for that same job. This is good and bad for teams. The jobs are coveted no doubt and they have a large pool to choose from. Applicants come from all over the country. Did the guy hiring miss the best candidate because so many applicants overwhelmed him? The down side for you is, what if you were #150 in that crowd of 300? When all those applicants file through how do you stand above the rest?

The fact is that if it is the tire changer job, you can show your work at the interview, which is a little different from other jobs. But if you are given a couple of minutes, with everyone watching you, how can you possibly show your talent in that amount of time and under that much pressure?! The answer is you can't. What if you got up that morning and smashed your hand in the car door? My point is that in addition to any hands on demonstration you might give, it will never represent a total picture of your abilities.

So what do you do to stand out and create an impression? You have to write about, talk about and show proof of your accomplishments. That's right - not just skill set, actual accomplishments. I recently went back to work after a 2-year absence for a company that I worked for previously for 15 years. All my experience had been at this one company. The interviewers were also long time employees of this company and knew the job descriptions of the positions I had previously held. What they didn't know was that I had been very successful! For example, as a customer service representative, I helped clients with software issues. But instead of saying I had technical expertise in trouble shooting blah blah software, I gave my phone stats and my quality survey scores. That's what was important to my managers. Every person on the CS team can troubleshoot software, but a true measure of my performance was the statistics. Now to parlay that to the tire changer; don't say on your resume, I can use an air gun. Every person who changes a tire can use an air gun! But you say that you worked on a team that consistently had pit stops of 18 seconds when the average for other teams were 21 seconds. Or don't say I'm 6 ft and weigh 250 pounds, tell them how often you work out and how much you can bench press. By the way, state that in your cover letter or interview. There's no place on the resume for weight, etc, but if its relevant its perfectly fine elsewhere.

I'm not saying don't list all the experience you have or all the tools you can use, but also list accomplishments that you are proud of. If I have an ad that says, "must be able to use jackhammer" and every resumes says "can use jackhammer", how do I know who's the best candidate? But if you say I have used a jackhammer for 20 years working on NC state highways, then I know without a doubt you can use a jackhammer.

You need to practice using your accomplishments in place of your skills so that when writing your cover letter or speaking in an interview you do it automatically. It will go a long way to put you a cut about the rest.