By Stephen Kim

If you’ve skipped a meal or two to save money for speed parts or have to divide what you’ve really spent on a project by at least three or four to keep the divorce papers at bay, then you just might be a hot rodder. Unfortunately, no one’s going to forget to send you the bills each month, and that evil place called "work" takes up far too much time that could be spent devouring your favorite slice of the automotive hobby. On the other hand, some people in the automotive industry get paid to do things no one has any business getting paid to do, whether building engines for Jack Roush or carving a svelte new shell for the next Corvette. Sure it’s not always a picnic behind the cloak of glory, and late nights at the office or shop are commonplace, but at the end of the day, you’ve convinced someone to cut you a check for playing with cars.

As with any job, the keys to success are experience, timing, relentless perseverance, a bit of luck, and above all a true passion for your particular area of interest. However, getting tips and insight on how to get your foot in the door can be a daunting task, as the demands of business and various deadlines preclude industry icons from returning your phone and e–mail requests to share their priceless expertise. Trust us, if they had the time, they would be more than happy to chat. That’s what HOT ROD is here for.

Shamelessly exploiting our 56 years of brand recognition as a selling point, several industry insiders agreed to talk as long as we shared their advice with all seven million of you. Given the eclectic mix of specialized trades under the umbrella of hot rodding, in any given field, the paths to landing your dream job are many. Some have received formal training before catching a break, while others gained expertise simply from exposure to their craft at an early age. Nonetheless, getting an edge over the next guy requires molding yourself into the ideal candidate.

The experts have spoken, so listen up.