I would never have applied for this job had it been presented to me. It all started from what most would call a chance encounter, I think it as God's Will.
When I first met my boss to be, he mentioned he was having trouble finding a competent mechanic to work on his classic cars. I being a "car guy" with a A.S.E. master technician certificate said I would like to see the cars and give an assessment of the overall condition of these 2 autos.
After agreeing to do some minor repairs, mostly correcting the inadequate work done by others, I noticed that he spent a lot of time doing the mundane. I mentioned this to him and soon I convinced him to hire me full time to help out with these sort of things. I had gotten to know him and really liked his personality and what he is involved in which is really changing the world for the betterment of humanity! I bet your thinking 'ya right'. I will write on this more later in this article.
Now that I have been doing this for over a year I have gained a huge amount of knowledge in what it means to help someone of his position in daily activities and helping out with keeping the house and cars running at top speed!
I am writing this in hopes that it helps others that are new to this and want to gain insight into their own new world. I also hope that others that have been doing this for some time, to chime in and offer their perspective and advice on this amazing career!
I having last been a manager of professional mechanics and a teacher of those wishing to gain experience in auto, truck, boat, motorcycle repair and maintenance didn't have the wardrobe or adequate international experience needed to reflect well on my new employer. I didn't have a place I could go to learn what was needed. My boss would help with this, and this is why I was able make it to where I am now!
Thank God he has a great sense of humor and people skills. One of the first things he helped me with was my form of dressing myself. I remember sitting with him and a small group of his personal friends after dinner one night dressed in what I thought was some of my 'nice' clothes and he said " what brand of shoes are those?" I said well their rockports. He said "they are horrible! I am taking you shopping!" You have to have thick skin in todays world and mine is bulletproof and I was honored that he would spend time to do this for me. I was apprehensive as he started picking out bright colors that where not ones I would have ever worn, even on a dare!
So it began, the personal transformation that I am forever in his debt.
The next thing I was taught was proper manners around our international friends and guests.
I found that table manners around the world are very different and what I learned as a young American was not applicable in this setting. It's interesting to me to see how different cultures use silverware or their hands and even chopsticks to move food from plate to mouths! Never judge others on this because of your point of view, in America we are taught one way that may be very different from other cultures.
As someone who may be helping to serve food, clearing the table and fetching wine, pouring it and spirits to your charges you will learn that timing is crucial as is delivery.
Finding cakes and pastries is a big part of my job and is another thing one I had to learn, again I am fortunate for my boss's instruction. I am often required to eat at the main table and engage in the various conversations going on around me. Avoid politics, religion and other topics that could upset or even offend your guests! This is another area where your employer,s input is needed. If you have any concerns about what is proper ask your boss before you say something that could turn disastrous! Keep an eye out for trouble and be on the ready to offer beverage refills and help make it come off smoothly. I do even help the cooks with their duties and even take out the trash and shop for supplies.
Answering the door and greeting guests is sometimes the first impression people get coming to see my boss or even someone coming to visit one of our guests. This is a crucial time as you don't get a 'do over'. It was hard for me at first to stay professional when I open the door and its a well known person that I adore! Now its commonplace for my new world. You may often greet guests at your door that you just saw on tv, depending on your employers preferences your reaction should always be what is expected in the present environment. Its polite to sit them and ask if a drink or anything is needed and inform your boss that they have arrived. Then return and attend to their needs, even engage them in conversation if its appropriate. I often give a short tour of the house and show some of our artwork, this is where knowledge of the artist or of the local area is of benefit.
Always offer to help with anything that needs doing and if you notice something that is not right tell the staff or employer! Making yourself indispencible is paramount if you value your job, in my own opinion. I can see if your 'just the driver' not offering to walk the dog is ok as the cars and driving should be your focus.
Driving V.I.P.s can be an adventure all in itself! Most people that are used to being driven expect you to know the area and drive in a safe manner. If they ask you to drive slower, faster or anything different from your normal manner do it unless you feel its unsafe. You must be confident in your abilities and vehicle to be efficient and productive at getting your charges to whereever their destination is. Get to know the places you have to go often, especially airports!
If possible get a contact number! This will help you contact them if your having trouble finding them or are running late, always give your card to them so they have your contact info.The parking alone can be upsetting and as you learn the way around you will know the flows of cars and people. I like to park the car and go inside and greet everyone personally. I don't like the way most drivers write on a piece of paper the name of the people they are picking up, it sometimes looks shabby, again reflecting badly on your employer. I like to use my iPad, its cleaner, looks professional and is different enough that everyone sees it.
Learning the layout and where the different airlines respective terminals and gates are will really help you with parking and time management.
You should help your charges retrieve their bags from the carousel, if they have many bags look for the airport personnel that have the large carts to help. Always tip these guys and you will notice, if your a regular, that they will recognize you and approach you next time and ask if you need help!
If you have elderly, guests that don't speak your airport local language, someone with a disability or injury ask for wheelchair assistance and tip that person and politely ask them to be sure your charges get to the right flight. This really helps those who don't travel often have a less stressful journey.
If I have someone with many bags or a few people I like to get all their bags and persons together near the curb then go get the car and bring it around to them. This allows them to smoke, make calls privately, dig through their bags and anything else before getting settled for the drive to their destination. If you have different destinations for the same car first let them co-ordinate who to drop first and offer traffic and distance info as asked otherwise just go with what they want. Only insist on doing it your way if you where directed to do it in a specific order by your employer.
Remember your usually there for their comfort not your convenience! Your usually payed by the hour or monthly salary so take your time.
Never be late! If you have to leave hours early because of traffic, weather or if there is any chance of being late compensate! If it looks like you could be late call or text them or your employer and inform them before hand.
I hadn't enjoyed shopping much before, now I really do like taking our guests to do so.
One of the things I learned was where to shop for the various things it takes to keep the house going and where the deals are! This is one area my boss helped me with immensely! I know the layout of all the outlet malls in our area and the other shopping centers and malls around southern California. I also like to dress smartly and with colors that would scare off any man without lots of self confidence! I have discovered that I need shoes, belts, hats and watches to go with my new attire.
When I first met my boss to be, he mentioned he was having trouble finding a competent mechanic to work on his classic cars. I being a "car guy" with a A.S.E. master technician certificate said I would like to see the cars and give an assessment of the overall condition of these 2 autos.
After agreeing to do some minor repairs, mostly correcting the inadequate work done by others, I noticed that he spent a lot of time doing the mundane. I mentioned this to him and soon I convinced him to hire me full time to help out with these sort of things. I had gotten to know him and really liked his personality and what he is involved in which is really changing the world for the betterment of humanity! I bet your thinking 'ya right'. I will write on this more later in this article.
Now that I have been doing this for over a year I have gained a huge amount of knowledge in what it means to help someone of his position in daily activities and helping out with keeping the house and cars running at top speed!
I am writing this in hopes that it helps others that are new to this and want to gain insight into their own new world. I also hope that others that have been doing this for some time, to chime in and offer their perspective and advice on this amazing career!
I having last been a manager of professional mechanics and a teacher of those wishing to gain experience in auto, truck, boat, motorcycle repair and maintenance didn't have the wardrobe or adequate international experience needed to reflect well on my new employer. I didn't have a place I could go to learn what was needed. My boss would help with this, and this is why I was able make it to where I am now!
Thank God he has a great sense of humor and people skills. One of the first things he helped me with was my form of dressing myself. I remember sitting with him and a small group of his personal friends after dinner one night dressed in what I thought was some of my 'nice' clothes and he said " what brand of shoes are those?" I said well their rockports. He said "they are horrible! I am taking you shopping!" You have to have thick skin in todays world and mine is bulletproof and I was honored that he would spend time to do this for me. I was apprehensive as he started picking out bright colors that where not ones I would have ever worn, even on a dare!
So it began, the personal transformation that I am forever in his debt.
The next thing I was taught was proper manners around our international friends and guests.
I found that table manners around the world are very different and what I learned as a young American was not applicable in this setting. It's interesting to me to see how different cultures use silverware or their hands and even chopsticks to move food from plate to mouths! Never judge others on this because of your point of view, in America we are taught one way that may be very different from other cultures.
As someone who may be helping to serve food, clearing the table and fetching wine, pouring it and spirits to your charges you will learn that timing is crucial as is delivery.
Finding cakes and pastries is a big part of my job and is another thing one I had to learn, again I am fortunate for my boss's instruction. I am often required to eat at the main table and engage in the various conversations going on around me. Avoid politics, religion and other topics that could upset or even offend your guests! This is another area where your employer,s input is needed. If you have any concerns about what is proper ask your boss before you say something that could turn disastrous! Keep an eye out for trouble and be on the ready to offer beverage refills and help make it come off smoothly. I do even help the cooks with their duties and even take out the trash and shop for supplies.
Answering the door and greeting guests is sometimes the first impression people get coming to see my boss or even someone coming to visit one of our guests. This is a crucial time as you don't get a 'do over'. It was hard for me at first to stay professional when I open the door and its a well known person that I adore! Now its commonplace for my new world. You may often greet guests at your door that you just saw on tv, depending on your employers preferences your reaction should always be what is expected in the present environment. Its polite to sit them and ask if a drink or anything is needed and inform your boss that they have arrived. Then return and attend to their needs, even engage them in conversation if its appropriate. I often give a short tour of the house and show some of our artwork, this is where knowledge of the artist or of the local area is of benefit.
Always offer to help with anything that needs doing and if you notice something that is not right tell the staff or employer! Making yourself indispencible is paramount if you value your job, in my own opinion. I can see if your 'just the driver' not offering to walk the dog is ok as the cars and driving should be your focus.
Driving V.I.P.s can be an adventure all in itself! Most people that are used to being driven expect you to know the area and drive in a safe manner. If they ask you to drive slower, faster or anything different from your normal manner do it unless you feel its unsafe. You must be confident in your abilities and vehicle to be efficient and productive at getting your charges to whereever their destination is. Get to know the places you have to go often, especially airports!
If possible get a contact number! This will help you contact them if your having trouble finding them or are running late, always give your card to them so they have your contact info.The parking alone can be upsetting and as you learn the way around you will know the flows of cars and people. I like to park the car and go inside and greet everyone personally. I don't like the way most drivers write on a piece of paper the name of the people they are picking up, it sometimes looks shabby, again reflecting badly on your employer. I like to use my iPad, its cleaner, looks professional and is different enough that everyone sees it.
Learning the layout and where the different airlines respective terminals and gates are will really help you with parking and time management.
You should help your charges retrieve their bags from the carousel, if they have many bags look for the airport personnel that have the large carts to help. Always tip these guys and you will notice, if your a regular, that they will recognize you and approach you next time and ask if you need help!
If you have elderly, guests that don't speak your airport local language, someone with a disability or injury ask for wheelchair assistance and tip that person and politely ask them to be sure your charges get to the right flight. This really helps those who don't travel often have a less stressful journey.
If I have someone with many bags or a few people I like to get all their bags and persons together near the curb then go get the car and bring it around to them. This allows them to smoke, make calls privately, dig through their bags and anything else before getting settled for the drive to their destination. If you have different destinations for the same car first let them co-ordinate who to drop first and offer traffic and distance info as asked otherwise just go with what they want. Only insist on doing it your way if you where directed to do it in a specific order by your employer.
Remember your usually there for their comfort not your convenience! Your usually payed by the hour or monthly salary so take your time.
Never be late! If you have to leave hours early because of traffic, weather or if there is any chance of being late compensate! If it looks like you could be late call or text them or your employer and inform them before hand.
I hadn't enjoyed shopping much before, now I really do like taking our guests to do so.
One of the things I learned was where to shop for the various things it takes to keep the house going and where the deals are! This is one area my boss helped me with immensely! I know the layout of all the outlet malls in our area and the other shopping centers and malls around southern California. I also like to dress smartly and with colors that would scare off any man without lots of self confidence! I have discovered that I need shoes, belts, hats and watches to go with my new attire.
