The Jaded Mechanic Podcast

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In this episode, Jeff Compton talks with Promotive’s Lisa Coyle and Kat Ayers about what’s changing in technician hiring, including their AI virtual recruiter and how it helps shops with consistency, speed-to-lead, and 24/7 candidate screening. They discuss common hiring bias, why resumes often don’t reflect real skill, how to interpret job hopping, and why following application instructions matters. The episode also covers shop culture and leadership as key retention drivers, how slow follow-up hurts candidate experience, and what Promotive is building next—expanded platform features, more automation, and plans to move into the Canadian market.
Timestamps:
0:00 Podcast Kickoff
00:28 Fishing and Seafood Talk
03:10 Bass Tournaments and Hockey
06:30 What’s New at Promotive
08:06 AI Recruiting Benefits
11:13 Bias and Hiring Fairness
20:03 Resume Gaps and Progress
22:58 Following Instructions Matters
24:43 Job Hopping Explained
29:56 Walk-In Resumes vs Process
34:35 Call Screen Limits
36:23 Tagging Resumes For Future
37:59 Techs Becoming Advisors
42:56 Trade Shows And Outreach
48:26 Cold Calls And Data
52:42 Industry Negativity And AI
01:00:20 Robots Costs And Culture
01:06:41 Leadership Questions And Nepotism
01:10:20 Multi Interview Triangulation
01:12:13 Candidate Experience Matters
01:16:11 Rehiring and Keeping Benches
01:21:27 Job Searching Is Normal
01:24:41 Legacy Over Resentment
01:29:13 Plan B and Hard Questions
01:32:02 What Have You Done Today
01:34:14 Promotive Roadmap and Events
01:37:18 Canada Expansion and Languages
01:39:44 Hockey Talk and Show Circuit
01:44:35 Final Thanks and Wrap Up

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TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanic
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In this episode, Jeff Compton and Greg Hilliard talk about Greg's career spent in dealerships, independent shops, and finally as a one-man owner-operator. Greg pulls no punches about toxic shop dynamics, the true value of a technician’s labor, and the personal costs of striking out on your own. He and Jeff discuss compensation, mental health struggles in the industry, how digital tools like chat GPT are already impacting repair businesses, and why demanding respect is not negotiable for survival.

Timestamps: 
00:00 Feeling valued in engineering role
05:56 Becoming the technical expert
11:52 Buying a used truck at Ford
19:49 Fixing stubborn cab issues
24:57 Avoiding the boss at work
27:52 Discussing fair compensation concerns
35:41 Struggles with retaining mechanics
41:08 Streamlining dental office visits
43:47 Using technology for car repairs
52:54 Struggling to hire a technician
57:37 Choosing entrepreneurship over traditional jobs
59:35 Getting advice from Larry Grogan
01:07:17 Addressing workplace culture issues
01:09:20 Electrician shortage and industry pride

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TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanic
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091347564232

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Need to update your shop systems and software? Try Tekmetric HERE
Launch your tool game to the next level with Launch Tech USA! HERE

In this episode, Jeff chats with Derek Amodio about his unique path back into the automotive industry after spending years working as a chef. Derek opens up about making the switch from the kitchen to the shop, the challenges of moving from hourly pay to flat rate at a Chrysler dealership, and why having the right culture and mentorship around you matters so much. They also talk about keeping up with changing automotive technology, the importance of ongoing training, and how a supportive team can make all the difference for techs getting started or finding their way back into the industry.
Timestamps:
00:00 Weather and tire myth discussion
09:24 Getting hired at FedEx
12:32 Choosing a dealership career path
20:12 Using memory notebooks
26:33 Challenges of incentivized pay systems
28:41 Discussing job training and challenges
33:37 Tech training and helpful tips
42:17 Balancing work hours and breaks
45:59 Installing car seats on Saturdays
50:56 Thinking about future innovations
54:38 Tesla maintenance issues
59:28 Driving a yellow SRT8 Challenger
01:04:11 Mechanics sharing car repair challenges
01:12:19 Teamwork and helping each other
01:18:12 Discussing technician pay plans
01:21:48 Chrysler heater core issue workaround
01:25:34 Supportive service manager
01:33:29 Supporting each other in tough times

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TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanic
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Like the show? Show your support by using our sponsors. 
 
Need to update your shop systems and software? Try Tekmetric HERE
Launch your tool game to the next level with Launch Tech USA! HERE

In this episode, Jeff talks with Christopher Clingerman, a fleet mechanic out of Rochester, New York. Christopher shares how he went from working on tractor trailers to maintaining school buses, and what surprised him most about the switch from dealership life to fleet work. They get into the day-to-day challenges techs deal with, from bad parts and misdiagnosed vehicles to the importance of training and having a shop culture that actually supports its people.
Timestamps:
00:00 Working at Hyundai dealership
11:46 Frustrations with car dealership service
26:28 Routine vehicle inspections
37:40 Using vegetable oil in hydraulics
42:50 Modified trucks and safety issues
56:41 Concerns with turbocharged engines
01:09:59 Laid back work environment
01:19:22 Training opportunities during work hours
01:25:33 Changes in welding education
01:37:39 Brian's electrical skills explained
01:46:34 Working on vehicle repairs
01:57:40 Using real tools to teach skills
02:10:56 Comparing tire brands and costs
02:18:54 Open door for venting support

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TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanic
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Like the show? Show your support by using our sponsors
Need to update your shop systems and software? Try Tekmetric HERE
Launch your tool game to the next level with Launch Tech USA! HERE

In this episode, Marco Palumbo shares his journey from technician to owner of Maxim Tire and Muffler in Winnipeg. He discusses the challenges of adapting to new automotive technologies, such as ADAS and electric vehicles, and the investments required in equipment, training, and staff. Marco also emphasizes the value of transparent customer service and community reputation, demonstrating how taking care of customers builds long-term loyalty and success.
Timestamps:
00:00 Meeting Mark and first impressions
05:28 Importance of mentoring in shops
12:13 Success with TikTok marketing
17:38 Discussing car calibration and trust
21:54 Unexpected car repair costs
29:15 Dealerships vs. aftermarket dynamics
34:45 Engaging waiting customers in showroom
42:20 Oxygen sensor issues and specialization
45:49 Tesla service challenges in smaller cities
52:46 Celebrating Mark's impact
56:16 Challenges with tech skills and training
58:56 Managing training logistics
01:04:09 Troubleshooting car electrical issues
01:10:47 Managing customer service expectations
01:16:04 Challenges with car part repairs
01:24:28 Facing time management challenges
01:28:24 Advocating for customer transparency
01:34:09 Unresolved car maintenance issues
01:37:26 Customer requests and shop policy
01:42:08 Charging for technical auto repairs
01:47:39 Recognizing Marco's passion and impact

Follow/Subscribe to the show on social media! 
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanic
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