IT to Car Sales career move

[JagJag363]

Just looking for a bit of advice, i'm 23 years old and have worked in IT since I was 17 (As a field engineer) over the past few months I have finally decided that it isn't for me and want to move into the car sales industry.

I have been working at a local small car sales company at weekends and some evenings through someone i know to get some basic experience, but have no real experience in sales. I have transferable skills from my current role as 90% of the time i am client facing so I am presentable and handle customers well.

There is a job role at a premium main dealer where I live that would really interest me which I am currently applying for.

Does anyone have any tips/made a similar move to what i am wanting to do?

Cheers

[JagJag363]

swerni said:

Why not go in to IT sales?
You'll earn far more and work more sociable hours.

It's an option i guess, but due to my interest in cars i feel car sales would be my interest

I work which is mostly sales and only the very very top guys earn good money most are on average wages. And the top guys earn the company a ridiculous amount of money so not sure about the earning far more.

[JagJag363]

swerni said:

Are you working for a small VAR?
Can you define what you view as average and good?

If we are thinking the same thing with Var then yes there is no stock all ordered from resellers when needed.

Well that's subjective but there are many relatively experienced members of staff on mid 20's, good for me is 30-40k + (with experience obviously)

[Wilmslowboy]

JagJag363 said:

Just looking for a bit of advice, i'm 23 years old and have worked in IT since I was 17 (As a field engineer) over the past few months I have finally decided that it isn't for me and want to move into the car sales industry.
....
Does anyone have any tips/made a similar move to what i am wanting to do?

Cheers

I work within one of UK's largest dealer groups, some of our most successful salespersons (both in terms of units and customer satisfaction) are completely new to the Industry..but have very strong customer facing retail skills.

Is it a large group you are applying to, if so they should have a comprehensive induction programme that should help you work out if you are cut out for the new retailing experience.

Base salaries can be low (although our group guarantees base level earnings for the first 6 months) OTE is c£40k. We are however doing lots of work to significantly raise basics to something that is competitive with other senior retail roles.

There is a huge about of process, it is regulated industry (70% cars sold with some type of finance product) so you will need a great attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to want to treat customer fairly.

Finally the industry has a lot of peaks and troughs, both within week and each March & September.

[JagJag363]

Wilmslowboy said:

I work within one of UK's largest dealer groups, some of our most successful salespersons (both in terms of units and customer satisfaction) are completely new to the Industry..but have very strong customer facing retail skills.

Is it a large group you are applying to, if so they should have a comprehensive induction programme that should help you work out if you are cut out for the new retailing experience.

Base salaries can be low (although our group guarantees base level earnings for the first 6 months) OTE is c£40k. We are however doing lots of work to significantly raise basics to something that is competitive with other senior retail roles.

There is a huge about of process, it is regulated industry (70% cars sold with some type of finance product) so you will need a great attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to want to treat customer fairly.

Finally the industry has a lot of peaks and troughs, both within week and each March & September.

Thanks for the detailed reply, i do have good customer facing skills which i have made in clear in my CV so hopefully it is enough to get my foot in the door for an interview

[Wilmslowboy]

Good luck

Don't give up, if not successful at first...we hire c1000 salespersons per year

[Wilmslowboy]

swerni said:

How many do you retain?

No way near enough !!!!
We have just above average retention rate , but working very hard to improve it, starts with better hiring, much higher basics, better training, better management, better balance between, customer satisfaction scores, units sold and meduim term success ...all steps we are putting in place.

[mikees]

Wilmslowboy said:

swerni said:

How many do you retain?

No way near enough !!!!
We have just above average retention rate , but working very hard to improve it, starts with better hiring, much higher basics, better training, better management, better balance between, customer satisfaction scores, units sold and meduim term success ...all steps we are putting in place.

This sounds really professional and impressive. Can you say who you work for? Also are you taking apprentices ? Getting them young is working great for me ( 16 just started in my unit -IT)

This sounds like a totally different approach to car sales - well done.

Mike