Sytner Interview Process

[BigGingerBob]

Good evening,

I have applied for a trainee sales job in one of Sytner Group's dealerships.
The phone interview has been passed and now there is an assessment day in Gatwick later this month. Has anyone on here done this assessment day? If so what does it consist of?
I really do want this job and I would like the best chance possible so I need to prepare myself.

Also, does anyone work for Sytner? From what I have read they are a great company to work for.

Thanks!

[Phil117]

I have worked for Sytner previously, and found it mixed. No one in that company ever complained about their job or anything like that which is very nice. You will find however it is mostly down to the dealership. The biggest problem I personally found was the paperwork. Being american owned, there is a ridiculous amount, but that's only a minor niggle. Only left due to being head hunted for a higher position.

I didn't do an assessment with Sytner as I went in as an experienced sales exec. I did however do one at Listers when I first joined the industry, so I'll explain what happened there as I'm sure it's similar.

I went to a hotel with a big conference facility. There were about 40 people, ranging from experienced sales people, to people like myself with no experience. There were 3 recruitment guys, as well as 5 senior managers (dealer principals, brand directors, sales manager etc.)

We started off with a group activity (groups of 3) where we had to rank the most important part of the sales process, and why we think it's most important. You then had to present it then to every one else. They were looking for people who take the lead, listen to others, and argue their point across without being confrontational. If you have something like this, don't worry about getting it wrong, your new to it, just show justification to why you've chosen it.

After that, a bit like the X-Factor, we all went out to the reception, and then came back into this meeting room. They then asked a 1/3 of people to leave.

The next thing was an academic test. Just general maths and english. Found this dead simple.

Our next activity was to sell our partner. We were put into pairs, and had to find out something about them, and then present to everyone why they should be employed by the company. This is all about finding out about them, and picking key things and selling them.

Again, went out, came back in, half the people left.

Our next activity was more car sales related, and we had to a features and benefit presentation. We were given a car brochure, and a customer profile, and told to present why they should have that car. The trick to this is not just say a car has x y and z, but what x means to that customers. For instance, this car has leather seats with lumbar support which will help mr customer with his bad back he has developed.

Again, went out, came back in, half the people left.

The final activity was a 30 second pitch as to why they should hire us. Just go for it, nothing to loose.

And finally, we all went out, came back in, they hired 4 of us. Strangely enough, 2 of the people picked were me and my partner from an early task.

The whole day is about seeing your naturally ability and flair. Enjoy and be yourself as they are a long day. Don't worry about being new to the industry, just be cautious if there are some experienced guys there as they can be complete aholes and will tell you things to try and slip you up.

Although this was Listers not Sytner, i'd imagine it's a similar sort of thing.

Hope this helps, if you need anything else feel free to P.m me. And out of curiosity, is it a Merc position your looking at?

[Dalto123]

Hello,

I have been for an interview at Sytners (A Mercedes dealership, but won't say where as it may possibly break the naming and shaming rule) for a apprenticeship in fleet sales role.

I had two phone interviews with the learning provider and it was great; got on really well with them, and was recommend for interview.

Taking the job would mean moving away, but the money offered (plus some assistance offered by parents) meant that this was feasible (and was exmplained to the learning provider on the phone). After a 2.5hr drive there my interview that was meant to last about 2 hours (due to tests) only lasted 20minutes. It was held by two people, one was the teacher for the learning provider (not the person I spoke to on the phone), the other the fleet sales manager (IIRC) - Quite frankly it was the worst interview I've had. Rude and unwelcoming is how I'd describe the both of them - they guy who worked at Sytners, in particular just sat playing withhis phone looking bored, and the learning provider lady was very abrupt.

Worst of all was that they held the fact that I lived in Bromley against my application for the job - and said to me that would be impossible for me to have the job. So if it was impossible for me to take the job why did you make me drive all this way to tell me? I left very soon, and very angry.

I spoke to the learning provider on the phone afterwards who were surprised for me to call so soon, but as it turned out I wasn't the only applicant for this experience to happen to.


But, OP, I doubt this'll be the same for you OP. I think I just had a bad group of people that day, but it certainly put me off that learning provider/ dealership career.

[BigGingerBob]

Thank you Phil, very informative post.
Dalto, that sounds terrible. I live a long way away too but I want to relocate. I hope my interview doesn't go like that.
Fingers crossed though!

[Dalto123]

BigGingerBob said:

Thank you Phil, very informative post.
Dalto, that sounds terrible. I live a long way away too but I want to relocate. I hope my interview doesn't go like that.
Fingers crossed though!

It was a pretty crap interview, yes. But I highly doubt that this'll happen to you. Everyone at some point will probably have a interview they hate, that day was mine. Fingers crossed yours goes well