A mechanic is responsible for the maintenance, inspection and repair of vehicles. Job responsibilities of a mechanic include examining vehicles in order to determine damage, performing diagnostic tests on the vehicle, repairing vehicles when needed, conducting test drives to ensure that the problem has been repaired, reviewing past repair records of vehicles, maintenance work on vehicles such as oil and tire changes when needed, planning of work procedures using manuals and charts, following checklists when conducting maintenance to ensure that all important parts were examined, performing follow-up examinations with the vehicles, and creating vehicle records of repairs and maintenance that was done.
A high school diploma is required in order to be a mechanic. Helpful job skills include ability to manage time wisely, ability to work independently, strong problem-solving skills, physical fitness, handiness, actively listening, and technical/mechanical knowledge of equipment and vehicles. The future job market outlook for a mechanic is strong and increasing.
