Meet Naweed Kakar, General Service Technician at Virginia Tire & Auto of Dulles

Anyone who drives a car knows that regular maintenance is necessary to keep you on the road safely. Most drivers have also experienced unexpected car trouble, requiring a last-minute rush into the closest auto shop for diagnosis and repair.

What some drivers don’t know, however, is what it’s like to be the one behind the counter or under the car. That’s why we feature different Virginia Tire & Auto employees on our blog – we want you to know who we are and what we’re all about.

This week, we interviewed Naweed Kakar, a General Service Technician at our Dulles location.  

Naweed started with Virginia Tire & Auto a little over five years ago. Admittedly, Naweed declared that he didn’t have a lot of experience at first, but told Virginia Tire & Auto employees that he was willing to work hard and learn quickly if given the chance.

Five years later, Naweed is cranking out tickets as efficiently as ever. Here’s what he told us about life at Virginia Tire & Auto:

What does the day-to-day look like?

Naweed gets to work in the early hours of the morning to open up the shop. Preparing for customers rushing in on their daily commute, he turns on the lights,  flips on the air conditioning, and hangs up the signs.

Once 7AM arrives, it’s time for the oil changes, then onto the rest of the day’s tickets. One of Naweed’s main goals is to take care of customers quickly so they leave happy.

“One thing I’ve challenged myself to do is to get the work done perfectly, in the right amount of time and in the right way,” he explains.

Another part of Naweed’s role as a General Service Technician is helping his General Service Manager interview and select candidates to join the General Service team at his Virginia Tire & Auto location.

What advice do you have for people who are just entering the automotive industry?

For job applicants looking to work at Virginia Tire & Auto, the one character trait that Naweed continually looks for in potential candidates is honesty. Rather than rifling off embellished skills or personal accomplishments, Naweed seeks individuals who can prove that they have the desired qualifications.

“Don’t tell me what you can do, show me,” Naweed emphasizes.

One of our top priorities at Virginia Tire & Auto is hiring individuals who fit our culture. We strive to uphold a standard of professionalism and service, and expect that from every employee.

What’s your favorite part about the job?

Working as a General Service Technician means you wear many hats, from problem solving and technical diagnostics to customer service and internal training. Naweed’s favorite part? Working in a team. Having the opportunity to work with other Virginia Tire & Auto employees to answer customers’ questions for the past five years is what makes Naweed enjoy coming to work each day.

“I have been with this company for a long time, and it’s like home,” Naweed says.

It’s not every day that you get a peek into the day-to-day life of an automotive technician. Thank you, Naweed, for giving us all that opportunity.

Interested in a career with Virginia Tire & Auto?

We’re a growing family and always looking for talented team members to join us. Apply for one of our careers today and kick start your career in the automotive industry!