To give you the job they saw something in you that ticked the boxes.
Just be happy and smile and get on…and ASK if unsure !
Trucks still have wheels and engines !
Own Account Driver:
Sure you’ll be fine nothing changes that much really that can’t be picked up.I always find that it’s the types who say ‘I was born with a spanner in my hand’ at interviews that tend to turn out to be useless.
Thanks OD 
Lol me I was born one, not with one…
I’ve a list of questions I’m going clarify with them tomorrow so as to be sure this is a good outcome for us both regarding the role, the rest, well, as others have said its a simple man up I suppose…If I were twenty again I’d have not been worried but as a dad I cant help it.
Anyone got any oversize cohunes’ I can borrow?
You don’t take a job if you cant afford too, if it cost you money to take the job and you cant do the job why would you even think about doing it. god help your family, there is not a lot of hope for you, its like digging your own grave, and your doing a great job with that,
Don’t get up to your nuts in weekly payments to the Snap On bloke just because he calls round.
I have to admit I do prefer Snap On spanners myself and I daren’t contemplate what the contents of my tool chest would add up to but you really don’t need to spend top money and you can shop around online in your spare time and look at secondhand stuff.
Own Account Driver:
Don’t get up to your nuts in weekly payments to the Snap On bloke just because he calls round.I have to admit I do prefer Snap On spanners myself and I daren’t contemplate what the contents of my tool chest would add up to but you really don’t need to spend top money and you can shop around online in your spare time and look at secondhand stuff.
Not a chance, I’ve a huge for me, small too some amount to get me going…already prowling for bargains, and like I say I have a few role related questions so as to be sure I get what I’d need…
Cheers OD, much respect…
go for it the 3 month trial is irrelevant as until you have been anywhere now for less than 2 years they can get rid of you very easy.
go for it what to lose cant you buy tolls and build it up?
Benjie83:
Lol no, its more the fear as I haven’t lifted a spanner for anyone in 7yrs and i aimed for this type of role again.
Been there. Took almost 6 years off lorry driving. When I went back I was a little rusty for a couple of days but after that it was like I’d never been away.
I also used to be a mechanic decades ago before I shafted my back and I have no problem doing the odd job on a car now and again from a knowledge point of view. You’ll drop back into it.
Now in regards to tools. Having lost/had borrowed and not returned almost all my tools over many years I needed to buy a full set again when I got a car to restore. Take your City & Guilds or whatever mechanics qualification you have to your local Halfords and apply for a trade card. Once you’ve got it then take your card to Halfords and buy their Pro range of tools. They have a lifetime guarantee which even Snap On no longer has and they’re every bit as good as the Snap On and Mac Tools gear I used to have. With the trade card the discount is typically 40-50% of the shelf price, I kid you not. I replaced £3000 of Snap On gear for just over £300. You’ll need something to put it in so your next stop is to Machine Mart to buy a top box and roll cab.
Relax Benjie everything gonna be alright, its normal, even though you are a bit more worried/excited then you should. Everyone have been at your position at one time, last year I was laid off 1 week before my daughter was born, it was crazy, but I was more determined to find work then ever before. Keep your chin up and continue forward 
Calm yourself down by the notion that you could have been in a lot tougher situation, imagine going across Europe to different country to work and put food on the table, not having experience, relatives or recommendations there 
Conor:
Halfords and buy their Pro range of tools.
halfords.com/workshop-tools/ … ocket-sets
I have done a few engine swaps with that gear and only had to buy the odd extra socket (Big stuff normally like the 36 socket iirc for the BMW fan and a few other types that I think manufacturers use just to stop DIY mechanics ha).
Tbh my first couple of cars were repaired mostly buy those socket sets and screw drivers you used to get cheap from petrol stations when you filled up 
war1974:
go for it the 3 month trial is irrelevant as until you have been anywhere now for less than 2 years they can get rid of you very easy.go for it what to lose cant you buy tolls and build it up?
Thanks war
I have a few basic bits but when i came out the game I sold alot off as I felt at the time I wouldn’t really ever go back to it…
So realistically I know I need a cab, and I’d like some heavier sockets, few drivers, maybe some ratchet spanners… I’m looking at an initial spend up to £1k, BUT I’m working back from their so ideally £500 ish, looking at second hand cabs, as tbh the box ain’t the be all its the gear inside that earns the money isn’t it…
As regards your point on the trial…I HOPE SO LOL…
I Will update in a few mins where its at today
Dolph:
Relax Benjie everything gonna be alright, its normal, even though you are a bit more worried/excited then you should. Everyone have been at your position at one time, last year I was laid off 1 week before my daughter was born, it was crazy, but I was more determined to find work then ever before. Keep your chin up and continue forward
Calm yourself down by the notion that you could have been in a lot tougher situation, imagine going across Europe to different country to work and put food on the table, not having experience, relatives or recommendations there
Thanks Dolph, means alot to have someone who kinda see’s it from a dads point of view…
TOTALLY agree on your points, course I’m lucky I genuinely know how low things can go so its even more of an incentive to get it right as I know many more would rip the hand off for this chance
Emotions wise…well I just can’t help it, I’d have a bottle of scotch but the job needs a drink/drug test ffs lol so guess I’m gonna have to find some calm asap lol…
Conor:
Benjie83:
Lol no, its more the fear as I haven’t lifted a spanner for anyone in 7yrs and i aimed for this type of role again.Been there. Took almost 6 years off lorry driving. When I went back I was a little rusty for a couple of days but after that it was like I’d never been away.
I also used to be a mechanic decades ago before I shafted my back and I have no problem doing the odd job on a car now and again from a knowledge point of view. You’ll drop back into it.
Now in regards to tools. Having lost/had borrowed and not returned almost all my tools over many years I needed to buy a full set again when I got a car to restore. Take your City & Guilds or whatever mechanics qualification you have to your local Halfords and apply for a trade card. Once you’ve got it then take your card to Halfords and buy their Pro range of tools. They have a lifetime guarantee which even Snap On no longer has and they’re every bit as good as the Snap On and Mac Tools gear I used to have. With the trade card the discount is typically 40-50% of the shelf price, I kid you not. I replaced £3000 of Snap On gear for just over £300. You’ll need something to put it in so your next stop is to Machine Mart to buy a top box and roll cab.
TOP ADVICE Cheers Conor, yup 200% I’ve no brand snobbery, yes quality pays but bargains can do just as well if used for the intended purpose lol
I will do an update of today in a bit…
MASSIVE THANKS AGAIN FELLAS’, means a lot, Genuinely
Right UPDATE TIME…
So I went back today armed with questions, and weirdly just seemed to feel at home there lol.
Anxious, and a touch jibbery as usual but the manager there really has helped put my mind at alot more ease.
He gave me some feedback, and I basically got the job because of my attitude/commitment to want too progress, and the fact that from what i can tell I simply fit with their culture which was nice too hear and a big confidence boost…
He also fully appreciated my break away from this type of work, and put me at ease as he actually seems to want what i would call a MATURE apprentice, but one who knows a glow plug from a spark plug, and is prepared to build their own knowledge to suit their company and grow with them to achieve the best for both sides…
I genuinely feel I’ve landed on my feet for once after today, this is a role I wanted when I first set out from leaving the panel beating game and took a jump onto spanners, just a shame I’m 33 now as 10yr ago I’d not perhaps been sat here now lol.
So subject to some d/a testing and a days worth of HS training/induction I have accepted the job
Shifts times a bit strange BUT I wont just be slung into the abyss, he wants me to be safe, and likewise for his company and I admire that and that’s a culture I want to be in…
Yeah so hey I gambled when I applied, I gambled today by going back to be sure, and now HOPEFULLY I will get through the last two hurdles and into the job within a month…see the anxiety is still here though ffs.
Big thanks again Gents to all who have put something positive/constructive into this thread, much appreciated so now its up to me ffs lol…
Congats for the job!
Feel sorry for the bottle of Scotch 
Benjie83:
Shifts times a bit strange
If its a HGV/PSV garage then they will be compared to a normal car garage. A typical HGV/PSV garage will have a minimal number of mechanics on during the normal working day you’re used to with a maximum number on a late afternoon/evening, night and weekend shift due to the fact that during the day the vehicles are out earning money so are only usually available for things like servicing, safety inspections and minor repairs on a night and weekend. Makes sense when you think about it.
mrginge:
Conor:
Halfords and buy their Pro range of tools.halfords.com/workshop-tools/ … ocket-sets
I have done a few engine swaps with that gear and only had to buy the odd extra socket (Big stuff normally like the 36 socket iirc for the BMW fan and a few other types that I think manufacturers use just to stop DIY mechanics ha).
Tbh my first couple of cars were repaired mostly buy those socket sets and screw drivers you used to get cheap from petrol stations when you filled up
Halfords sets are good as they cover so much of what’s needed for a lot of car jobs I would say Bahco is the best non-silly money socket set choice for quality though I’ve come across. Despite what Conor is saying, although a good choice for a weekend mechanic, Halfords stuff is light years behind Snap On for quality and really isn’t suitable for a professional mechanic in a commercial environment. There are cheaper realistic alternatives but I wouldn’t consider Halfords one. I think you would end up buying twice and wanting to replace most of it with something better.
One area you can economise a bit is the larger sizes where it’s going to be harder to round off a 32mm nut but, having said that, if you want to use the open end and the jaws spread you’re still going to run into problems. The upside with Snap On is it always makes good money on ebay if listed right.
Bahco is nice. I have this in my cars for roadside bodges and unplanned scrap yard visits. We do scrap cars at my work now so i can turn into a magpie when pretty much any German car turns up considering me and my older brother have 9 VW’s, 1 BMW and then my IS200 (Was a lot cheaper then another BMW) between us.
Good luck in the new job. Sounds like your self esteem needs a boost. I really hope it goes well for you.
Try to believe in yourself a bit more. Think what advice you would give your child down the line if he/she were in your position; just do your best, be straight with them, and try to enjoy it!
It’s OK to worry but don’t let it ruin it. Where there’s a will there really is, usually, a way. 
Hi benji,
your not alone, I felt the same.
my story is , I passed class 3 aged 21 in the TA then a week later passed class 1 psv , I did 10 years driving in the TA and 17 years as a bus driver.
Early 2003 I had a bad non blameworthy accident and tried to carry on driving but it didn’t feel right so I decided to resign.
Thankfully due to my knowledge in the industry I was offered a great job in the office (I was then informed I had PTSD) and the company really looked after me to their credit.
7 years later I was made redundant and that hurt, a lot. (I was offered relocation package to luton) which I couldn’t take, kids and stuff.
I was then diagnosed with depression (I refused their drugs)
I found loads of casual work and cash in hand stuff but I wanted permanent.
I got a job with a housing associationin the office with no experiance ( my mantra is if you want the job learn everything you can quickly) I got the job and loved it but after 18 moths I felt I wanted more, a job came up as a labourer where I am now and the boss trusted me and nagged me to date about taking the drivers job, Iwwasn’t keen but I saw the ££ and went
for it.
The firm put me through my class 1 on my 50th birthday, old dog new tricks …yup new dog old trick, best move I have made, I was bricking it for a few weeks, now I like the challenge and boy we get into some ■■■■ holes
Massive Thanks again everyone…
@ DRIFT & THE MISSUS…
Cheers folks, both very helpful post so thankyou again
I do have a HUGE confidence problem, trouble is I’m actually very confident lol but I’ve been called arrogant for it in the past, I cant help speaking/doing as I find but combine alot of ■■■■ from life and the above I know its doing me no favours…
Been told to believe in myself more, hard to do when your like me ffs lol…