Service Advisor job description template
Service advisors greet customers, write up repair orders, explain what the technicians found and sell the work that keeps your bays full. They're the link between customers and techs, so a good post names the shop software you use, explains how pay and bonuses work and says whether Saturdays are included.
Service Advisor
Full-timeYour Company is hiring a service advisor to be the first person our customers talk to when their car needs work. You'll listen to their concerns, write clear repair orders, explain recommendations in plain language and keep them updated until the job is done. If you're organized, honest and good at turning technical findings into something anyone can understand, we'd like to meet you.
What you’ll do
- Greet customers in person and by phone, listen to their concerns and write accurate repair orders
- Build estimates for parts and labor, and get customer approval before work begins
- Explain technician findings and recommended repairs clearly, using inspection photos when available
- Schedule appointments so the shop's workload stays balanced across the day and week
- Coordinate with technicians and parts suppliers on repair status and parts availability
- Call or text customers with updates, delays and pickup times
- Review completed repair orders, process payments and walk customers through their invoices
- Follow up after service and handle complaints calmly and fairly
What we’re looking for
- Experience as a service advisor or service writer, or in auto parts sales or customer service
- Working knowledge of how cars work and common repairs
- Comfortable using shop management software, email and text to keep customers informed
- Organized enough to juggle phone calls, walk-ins and technician questions
- Honest communicator who recommends only the work a vehicle needs
- Valid driver's license for moving customer vehicles on the lot
Nice to have
- ASE C1 (Automobile Service Consultant) certification
- Experience with shop software such as Tekmetric, Shopmonkey or Mitchell 1
- Hands-on mechanical experience
Schedule
Full-time, weekdays during shop hours, usually starting early for morning drop-offs, with some Saturdays. We'll share the exact schedule in the interview.
What we offer
- Health insurance and paid time off
- Bonus or commission opportunities on top of base pay
- Paid training on our software and processes
- Discounts on parts and service for your own vehicles
Add your pay, location and schedule when you post. Jobs that show pay get noticeably more applicants.
Service Advisor our company is hiring a service advisor to be the first person our customers talk to when their car needs work. You'll listen to their concerns, write clear repair orders, explain recommendations in plain language and keep them updated until the job is done. If you're organized, honest and good at turning technical findings into something anyone can understand, we'd like to meet you. What you’ll do • Greet customers in person and by phone, listen to their concerns and write accurate repair orders • Build estimates for parts and labor, and get customer approval before work begins • Explain technician findings and recommended repairs clearly, using inspection photos when available • Schedule appointments so the shop's workload stays balanced across the day and week • Coordinate with technicians and parts suppliers on repair status and parts availability • Call or text customers with updates, delays and pickup times • Review completed repair orders, process payments and walk customers through their invoices • Follow up after service and handle complaints calmly and fairly What we’re looking for • Experience as a service advisor or service writer, or in auto parts sales or customer service • Working knowledge of how cars work and common repairs • Comfortable using shop management software, email and text to keep customers informed • Organized enough to juggle phone calls, walk-ins and technician questions • Honest communicator who recommends only the work a vehicle needs • Valid driver's license for moving customer vehicles on the lot Nice to have • ASE C1 (Automobile Service Consultant) certification • Experience with shop software such as Tekmetric, Shopmonkey or Mitchell 1 • Hands-on mechanical experience Schedule Full-time, weekdays during shop hours, usually starting early for morning drop-offs, with some Saturdays. We'll share the exact schedule in the interview. What we offer • Health insurance and paid time off • Bonus or commission opportunities on top of base pay • Paid training on our software and processes • Discounts on parts and service for your own vehicles
Screening questions for a service advisor
Ask these on the application form to sort applicants quickly. They’re added automatically when you post this template.
- Do you have experience writing repair orders or estimates at an auto shop or dealership?Yes / No · required
- Which shop management or point-of-sale software have you used?Short answer
- Tell us about a time you explained a costly repair to an upset customer. How did it go?Paragraph
Service Advisor interview questions
- A customer says their car makes a noise "sometimes." What questions do you ask before writing it up?
- How would you explain a recommended timing belt replacement to someone who knows nothing about cars?
- The tech finds more work than the estimate covered. How do you handle the call with the customer?
- Tell me about a time a customer was angry about a bill. What did you do?
- How do you keep track of a dozen cars in progress at once?
- How do you build trust so customers don't feel pressured into repairs?
- What would you do if a technician and a customer disagreed about whether a repair was done right?
Tips for hiring a service advisor
- Role-play a customer call: hand candidates a sample inspection report and have them explain it to you as if you were the customer.
- Ask how they handle declined work. You want an advisor who sells honestly, since pressure tactics cost you repeat customers and reviews.
- Explain the pay plan in the post, including any commission or bonus. Advisors compare pay structures closely.
- Look beyond other shops. Strong candidates often come from auto parts counters, dealership cashier desks or other customer service jobs.