Advice for a potential car salesman..
Discussion
Hello PHers,
First a bit of background, being a relative newbie on here and not having much of a backstory, I'll try and keep it concise..
Just graduated well from a good uni, with a good degree. Albeit one totally irrelevant in the motor industry (Music). No regrets, however.
The plan is for me to have a year working, attemping to claw myself out of the pit of financial doom and gloom that most graduates seem to be festering in at present. In a years time I (all being well) move to London to study for a Masters'
In the meantime, I'm thinking of things I can do for a year that will fill the coffers enough to live on, and provide some form of job satisfaction.
Besides music, which is the main part of what I do, cars are the hobby. Mainly classics (done up a couple, doing another currently), and there are several car sales executive positions in garages around my area up for grabs.
Having spoken to one of the salesman, I was told there was no previous experience needed, and apart from a training course which is normally provided on the job, I'd be good to go if I found a showroom with a vacancy.
I come here to ask your collective opinion. Those of you in the business, any advice? I'm not precious about selling new cars. I never plan to buy a new car, so used is fine by me, provided they're not dodgy dealers..
Would just appreciate what you all think/what you reckon I should do to get myself in there. I figure I'm into cars, why work in a callcentre?
Cheers in advance
First a bit of background, being a relative newbie on here and not having much of a backstory, I'll try and keep it concise..
Just graduated well from a good uni, with a good degree. Albeit one totally irrelevant in the motor industry (Music). No regrets, however.
The plan is for me to have a year working, attemping to claw myself out of the pit of financial doom and gloom that most graduates seem to be festering in at present. In a years time I (all being well) move to London to study for a Masters'
In the meantime, I'm thinking of things I can do for a year that will fill the coffers enough to live on, and provide some form of job satisfaction.
Besides music, which is the main part of what I do, cars are the hobby. Mainly classics (done up a couple, doing another currently), and there are several car sales executive positions in garages around my area up for grabs.
Having spoken to one of the salesman, I was told there was no previous experience needed, and apart from a training course which is normally provided on the job, I'd be good to go if I found a showroom with a vacancy.
I come here to ask your collective opinion. Those of you in the business, any advice? I'm not precious about selling new cars. I never plan to buy a new car, so used is fine by me, provided they're not dodgy dealers..
Would just appreciate what you all think/what you reckon I should do to get myself in there. I figure I'm into cars, why work in a callcentre?
Cheers in advance
Have a go, if it doesn’t work out do somthing else. It's not easy but can be (financially)rewarding
Be yourself, be honest, don't bulls
t, don't guess and do what you say you are going to do and you will be better (and more successful) than 80% of the competition.
Be prepared for long antisocial hours, hardwork, a lot of knockbacks and some rubbish (not very bright)bosses.
Be yourself, be honest, don't bulls
t, don't guess and do what you say you are going to do and you will be better (and more successful) than 80% of the competition. Be prepared for long antisocial hours, hardwork, a lot of knockbacks and some rubbish (not very bright)bosses.
I say give it a go you may enjoy it. I've been working at prestige dealers for 7 years now and have loved most of it. Get to meet some really interesting people and have got to play in some really good cars. Money can be an unknown at times but the rewards are there but it does take a while to get established and get regular customers. If your into cars it can be a good way to do something and learn about something you enjoy while earning some decent money. Please feel free if u have any questions you wantto ask.
Most important as said above do what you say you will when you said you'll do it and your be better than most!
Most important as said above do what you say you will when you said you'll do it and your be better than most!
Try it and see what you think, long term potential to be dealer principal if it works out.
Problem now might be your age - harder to engage with some buyers, which will affect your earnings as its mostly commission based.
Also dealer insurance policies have age restricitons which you may still be below.
If you are going to do it try and start off with a decent sized group as you then have longer term options, training, something decent on your cv for the future.
Problem now might be your age - harder to engage with some buyers, which will affect your earnings as its mostly commission based.
Also dealer insurance policies have age restricitons which you may still be below.
If you are going to do it try and start off with a decent sized group as you then have longer term options, training, something decent on your cv for the future.
As said, It's not really a stop gap type job. You have to be committed and want to do it.
It can be extremely demoralising at times, but extremely fun at the other times. Dealing with the up and down nature is part and parcel of the job.
It's easy to say 'no experience necessary' but a knowledge of how a sales job works is helpful and you need to be good at time management, prospect calling (the low point I mentioned normally comes in here) and generally being a damn nice person.
Good luck if you do decide to go for it. Be ready for the experienced sales people to try and take the piss by making you do the st they don't want to do, and sharking your deals etc.
Do what your direct manager asks of you, ignore everyone else (but take advice if given) and don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. You're in it for yourself, your pay packet, not to clean up after others (unless your boss asks you to)
It can be extremely demoralising at times, but extremely fun at the other times. Dealing with the up and down nature is part and parcel of the job.
It's easy to say 'no experience necessary' but a knowledge of how a sales job works is helpful and you need to be good at time management, prospect calling (the low point I mentioned normally comes in here) and generally being a damn nice person.
Good luck if you do decide to go for it. Be ready for the experienced sales people to try and take the piss by making you do the s
t they don't want to do, and sharking your deals etc.Do what your direct manager asks of you, ignore everyone else (but take advice if given) and don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. You're in it for yourself, your pay packet, not to clean up after others (unless your boss asks you to)
Some very thought-provoking replies thus far guys, much 'ppreciated.
Keep em coming.
re: the stopgap comments - you do have a point, twas something I had worried about; that I'd just be establishing myself and then be off to study, but said study is entirely dependent on my getting a battery of Arts Council grants, which are near-unattainable, and who knows, I may get into it, and fancy a longer stay..
Main problem is experience as also mentioned (you are a bright bunch
), as I have plenty, but it is rather disparate in its focus (i.e. worked at a motor museum, great but not too useful for retail jobs etc)
Tough times for graduates these days. We'll see. Any advice would be very welcome, you're a very welcoming bunch given I haven't really been on here all too long..
Ta
Keep em coming.
re: the stopgap comments - you do have a point, twas something I had worried about; that I'd just be establishing myself and then be off to study, but said study is entirely dependent on my getting a battery of Arts Council grants, which are near-unattainable, and who knows, I may get into it, and fancy a longer stay..
Main problem is experience as also mentioned (you are a bright bunch
), as I have plenty, but it is rather disparate in its focus (i.e. worked at a motor museum, great but not too useful for retail jobs etc)Tough times for graduates these days. We'll see. Any advice would be very welcome, you're a very welcoming bunch given I haven't really been on here all too long..
Ta
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