Working For Porsche

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Discussion

WilsonSwift

Original Poster:

764 posts

186 months

Wednesday 19th August 2015
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I've been asked to attend a second interview after a nerve wrecking, but suprisingly sucsessful first interview. The job in question is a trainee sales excecutive role at a certain southern OPC.

Now then, I can picture working in an OPC as being challanging, demanding, fast paced and quite rewarding. To which I welcome, I like a job that keeps a person busy. On the face of it, it's my dream job, but am I looking through rose tinted glasses here?

Has anyone on here ever worked for a company like Porsche? If so, what was/is your experience with them? Is it really as good as it sounds/looks?

Just to add, I'll be relocating for this job and I've never worked in sales(currently an engineer chasing a more enjoyable job), although I've always wanted to. They don't seem to be too concerned about the lack of sales experience though. They've explained that they'll train me through that process, obviously.

Thanks in advance smile.

rog007

5,748 posts

223 months

Thursday 20th August 2015
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Have you spent any length of time in a dealership shadowing another junior sales guy?
Can you switch off the emotion and be prepared to sell in order to make your wage?
Have you got any insight in to your reaction when you don't meet your target for up selling and your bonus at best, your job at worst, goes on the line.

Rose tinted spectacles? Do your research well before you commit, particularly if you're relocating. Good luck!

oldnbold

1,280 posts

145 months

Thursday 20th August 2015
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As you will be relocating, and to the south, it would be worth running through your living costs and see if you can actually afford to take the job.

I expect your basic will be fairly low, and certainly for the the first 2 or 3 months I doubt you will earn very much commission. So I would suggest that you will need to have at least £2-3K tucked away to help with your living costs until you start making some commission. Car sales is very cut throat, you will find that other sales guys will think nothing of stealing your sales if they can, and if you aren't doing the numbers within 6 months you may well be shown the door.

I did just under 3 years in car sales after 30 years in another industry, but had some sales experience before I started. Expect long hours and long periods of doing nothing, and I worked at a volume franchise, all be it a small one. Not sure how busy Porsche showrooms get, but when I last had my Porsche serviced on a Saturday morning at my OPC I don't think a single sales customer walked in the whole 2 hours I was there. It was about 8 months before I was earning anyway near the OTE I'd been told.

KFC

3,687 posts

129 months

Saturday 22nd August 2015
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If you've never worked in sales before I'd be looking to get a sales job closer to home first.

imo it would be madness to relocate to take one first... if you're hopeless at it you're going to be broke and miles from home, with a huge amount of extra expenses that you wouldn't have had otherwise.

WilsonSwift

Original Poster:

764 posts

186 months

Monday 24th August 2015
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Thanks for the kind advice, all.

I went for the second interview last Friday and the job isn't quite what they describe it as. Basically, it’s a sales support role, until a sales job opens up. As was suggested in an earlier reply, it pays poorly at £17k a year, the hours are long (50 - 60 hours a week) and they implement a fine system for any wrongdoings such as a badge worn upside down etc., Which I can understand because of the image associated with the brand in question.

The interview wasn't a particularly good experience on the whole to be honest, lots of mixed signals and I definitely didn't feel welcome there. At least the interviewer was honest though!

So, I'm sat here feeling a little cold about the job. However, I've been asked to attend the final stage of the selection process, which involves spending the day working at the dealership, to help get an idea of what the job is really like. I'd be attending this day, along with the two other candidates. However, I'm considering pulling out of the selection process at this stage.

The pay alone is enough to turn me away really, but the attitude of the board of interviewers was downright terrible and it's making me wonder if I really want to work under someone like that. I can understand that discipline is necessary, but it felt a little much during the interview, almost as if they were trying to put me off. This could be seen as them testing me, but I'm not sure.

On the other hand though, the other members of staff who worked on the shop floor were extremely friendly and helpful. HR even gave me the choice of deciding the date of the day visit, due to the distance required for me to travel, which was strange, considering I felt like I wasn't wanted in the interview!

I can't help but feel that rose tinted glasses does seem to fit the bill after all. It just felt like cheap labour to me! I don't really want to be be disillusioned by the brand. I'm 23 and I don't really want to be stuck in a job that treats me poorly for years to come.

Or maybe I'm being too soft and fussy? hehe

Ste1987

1,798 posts

105 months

Monday 24th August 2015
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If it was close to where you currently live, I would have said go for it. But if you're having to relocate for that sort of money, I'll say "fk it, not worth it." By the sounds of things, Porsche are no better to their staff than less-prestige dealers, so I reckon you may as well look into a main dealer closer to home if you're set on working in car sales

HTP99

22,443 posts

139 months

Monday 24th August 2015
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Guildford, I know there was a sales vacancy recently?

Don't get sucked in with the name; Porsche, when it comes down to it you are just selling cars and like most car sales jobs, if you aren't performing, you are out, particularly with a brand such a Porsche, they will want the best and not stragglers, there will be a hell of a lot of prospecting too and you will find that most customers there will also have a salesman that they deal with, it'll take an age to get going.

If you are dead set on car sales, I would be inclined to look closer to home at a volume franchise, then you can see if it is for you and if you decide you have made a mistake, it won't be so much of a balls up for you.

PurpleTurtle

6,941 posts

143 months

Monday 24th August 2015
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WilsonSwift said:
I went for the second interview last Friday and the job isn't quite what they describe it as. Basically, it’s a sales support role, until a sales job opens up. As was suggested in an earlier reply, it pays poorly at £17k a year, the hours are long (50 - 60 hours a week)
Assuming 4wks holiday, and a 50hr week at the lower end of that spectrum you're looking at 2,400hrs/pa for £17k, so £7.08/hr gross.

Minimum wage is (shortly to rise to) £6.70/hr.

I'd be expecting more from a premium brand, if they want decent people.

oldnbold

1,280 posts

145 months

Monday 24th August 2015
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As I suspected, it would appear that working for a premium brand is no different to working for a volume brand in the way that you are treated. The way that sales staff earn their money encourages competition between the individuals, and that often means doing whatever it takes to get a sale, and hence earn more commission.

An ex colleague of mine from the few years that I had in car sales is now working at a very large volume dealers, he has been in car sales for 20+ years and is very good at it, he's been there just over 3 years. He is the longest serving member of the sales staff by a long way. Most sales execs last 3 - 6 months, he has seen 7 sales mangers come and go in his 3 years and they are now on the forth dealer principle.

Whilst you're doing good numbers life is ok but have a bad month or two and intense preasure comes from all directions. It may not even be your fault, there are several months when sales traditionally dip.

As someone above said, with a brand that doesn't have 10's of new customers coming through the doors every day you will be expected to prospect for customers, in other words cold call people form various data lists. Generally you need a very thick skin to be good at this, and be very persistant.

Good money can be made in car sales, but with no previous sales experience it will take time, several months, to even start hitting your targets each month, let alone exceeding target which is the point where you start to make good money.

0000

13,812 posts

190 months

Monday 24th August 2015
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Paid just about minimum wage, very long hours and they're already warning you they fine their own staff.

Ignore the Porsche badge, it sounds like a terrible job with an employer that doesn't value the role you're applying for.

WilsonSwift

Original Poster:

764 posts

186 months

Monday 24th August 2015
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The advice given in this thread pretty much sums up my doubts regarding the job.

I think I'll give them a call tomorrow and let them know that I'll pass on the oppurtunity. Shame, because it looked good on paper!

Thanks for the advice nevertheless smile.

Thankyou4calling

10,595 posts

172 months

Monday 24th August 2015
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If i were able to turn the clock back to that age I would absolutely have jumped all over a job like that.

I loved cars, I was a brilliant sales person and very hard working.

I would've backed myself to be moving up the ladder very quickly so think long and hard before turning anything down,

They will want their pound of flesh for sure but i'd wager the training and opportunities are excellent.

If you are good then sales exec, sales manager, business manager and dealer principal could be a realistic 10 year path and that is probably a 100k a year job with a Porsche.

They will have their pick of people though so only the very best will make it.

Top Guns

rog007

5,748 posts

223 months

Monday 24th August 2015
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I wouldn't pull out at this stage if you can travel and get the time off to attend. I'd do it for the experience as this may help you next time. Plus, it's also a test of your capabilities; so seeing where you eventually come may also provide some useful reflection. And if you get picked as the Chosen One, you can still turn it down but it will also be a morale booster as you look to other roles. Good luck!

zeDuffMan

4,054 posts

150 months

Monday 24th August 2015
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As above, I would still attend for the final part of the selection process, if you can spare the day. The job sounds absolutely awful but it'll be helpful experience. You'll be able to go in pretty relaxed, knowing that nothing is on the line, and regardless of what happens, you'll have learnt something.

Hoolio

1,143 posts

220 months

Tuesday 25th August 2015
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My advice, go for the final interview, if you are offered the job, great! You're not obliged to take it and you will know you meet the level Porsche look for. Alternatively you may decide you like the role and they like you so you may be able to negotiate on basic salary a little.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

shtu

3,407 posts

145 months

Wednesday 26th August 2015
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Bit late to this, but I can add that I know several people who have worked in car sales.

Every single one of them hated it while they were doing it, and were actively looking to get out. Tales of long hours, no weekends, backstabbing colleagues, lunatic managers, and arbitrary decisions on pay and bonus abounded.

As others have said, I'd be super-wary of relocating to the South for a £17k base salary in a cut-throat industry.

Also - sales "support"? Are you being given an OTE for a role where you supposedly aren't selling? Sounds suspiciously like they are actually hiring salespeople, but on a poorer deal than the ones who have been there a few years. If they are expecting you to sell cars, that's not sales support. If you get a smaller %age of the "Full" salesperson's deal for doing some upsell and the paperwork, that's support.

oldnbold

1,280 posts

145 months

Wednesday 26th August 2015
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shtu said:
Bit late to this, but I can add that I know several people who have worked in car sales.

Every single one of them hated it while they were doing it, and were actively looking to get out. Tales of long hours, no weekends, backstabbing colleagues, lunatic managers, and arbitrary decisions on pay and bonus abounded.

As others have said, I'd be super-wary of relocating to the South for a £17k base salary in a cut-throat industry.

Also - sales "support"? Are you being given an OTE for a role where you supposedly aren't selling? Sounds suspiciously like they are actually hiring salespeople, but on a poorer deal than the ones who have been there a few years. If they are expecting you to sell cars, that's not sales support. If you get a smaller %age of the "Full" salesperson's deal for doing some upsell and the paperwork, that's support.
I would imagine that "sales support" is doing all the admin and chasing vehicles through valeting/servicing/repair etc once sold and all the running around moving cars, listing on the net etc. No face to face sales. I read the OP as the salary was £17K end off, not plus commission.

Most sales guy's basic is somewhere between £10 - £14k, so I doubt a sales support role would pay more.

HTP99

22,443 posts

139 months

Wednesday 26th August 2015
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oldnbold said:
shtu said:
Bit late to this, but I can add that I know several people who have worked in car sales.

Every single one of them hated it while they were doing it, and were actively looking to get out. Tales of long hours, no weekends, backstabbing colleagues, lunatic managers, and arbitrary decisions on pay and bonus abounded.

As others have said, I'd be super-wary of relocating to the South for a £17k base salary in a cut-throat industry.

Also - sales "support"? Are you being given an OTE for a role where you supposedly aren't selling? Sounds suspiciously like they are actually hiring salespeople, but on a poorer deal than the ones who have been there a few years. If they are expecting you to sell cars, that's not sales support. If you get a smaller %age of the "Full" salesperson's deal for doing some upsell and the paperwork, that's support.
I would imagine that "sales support" is doing all the admin and chasing vehicles through valeting/servicing/repair etc once sold and all the running around moving cars, listing on the net etc. No face to face sales. I read the OP as the salary was £17K end off, not plus commission.

Most sales guy's basic is somewhere between £10 - £14k, so I doubt a sales support role would pay more.
Yep, that is what sales support will be.

majordad

3,600 posts

196 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
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WEll ?