Complete career change
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Discussion

Craphouserat

Original Poster:

1,541 posts

223 months

Sunday 25th July 2021
quotequote all
Been in Forensic Biology 25 years - 45 yrs old.

Job as a Car Salesman has come up at my local dealership - used them for 20 years for cars, servicing and parts. Great garage - great service and seems like a good place to work. I'd love to work around cars all day.

My current job is good - and pays well. Sales job OTE is slightly above what I'm currently on. However, my mental health hasn't been great the last year-continually dealing with what humans do to each other has worn me down a bit.

Am I mad to even consider applying to my dealership?

randlemarcus

13,644 posts

253 months

Sunday 25th July 2021
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OTE figures generally assume competence at sales, so I would worry a little about that.
And not sure that car sales will give you a rosy picture of humanity, though granted, there will be slightly less DNA transfer.

Pothole

34,367 posts

304 months

Sunday 25th July 2021
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Craphouserat said:
Been in Forensic Biology 25 years - 45 yrs old.

Job as a Car Salesman has come up at my local dealership - used them for 20 years for cars, servicing and parts. Great garage - great service and seems like a good place to work. I'd love to work around cars all day.

My current job is good - and pays well. Sales job OTE is slightly above what I'm currently on. However, my mental health hasn't been great the last year-continually dealing with what humans do to each other has worn me down a bit.

Am I mad to even consider applying to my dealership?
In a word, yes.

What do you think you would love, specifically?

Craphouserat

Original Poster:

1,541 posts

223 months

Sunday 25th July 2021
quotequote all
I know.....I am mad to even think of it I guess.

itcaptainslow

4,449 posts

158 months

Sunday 25th July 2021
quotequote all
As someone who got out of the motor trade seven years ago (albeit as a service manager, rather than sales), my opinion is-don’t.

The “cuddly” dealership environment is anything but; it’s a high pressure workplace where you’re only as good as your last month. I’m massively into cars and working with something I found interesting did help to an extent but the corporate politics, stresses and constant downward pressure to hit unattainable targets had a big effect on my home life.

The sales side of things is also very long hours with lots of weekend work.

Pit Pony

10,748 posts

143 months

Sunday 25th July 2021
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Could you ask them for a Saturday Job.
Or
Ask your work for a 6 month sabbatical?

ChocolateFrog

34,883 posts

195 months

Sunday 25th July 2021
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Seems like a downgrade, wouldn't you be working with pointy shoed 20 year olds pushing overpriced GAP, PPF and magic spray that stops upholstery getting dirty?

What is it about your current job you dislike? Would a change of employer in the same sector fix it?

Mabbs9

1,544 posts

240 months

Sunday 25th July 2021
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I'd day that if your mental health is suffering then a change seems a good plan. Although as suggested, possibly a break would be as good. Good luck

bitchstewie

63,680 posts

232 months

Sunday 25th July 2021
quotequote all
itcaptainslow said:
As someone who got out of the motor trade seven years ago (albeit as a service manager, rather than sales), my opinion is-don’t.

The “cuddly” dealership environment is anything but; it’s a high pressure workplace where you’re only as good as your last month. I’m massively into cars and working with something I found interesting did help to an extent but the corporate politics, stresses and constant downward pressure to hit unattainable targets had a big effect on my home life.

The sales side of things is also very long hours with lots of weekend work.
^^

This is largely how I'd see it.

I worked in sales 20 years ago (not cars) and even then it was all about targets and extended warranties.

Dealing with people was actually a pleasant experience and arguably the highlight of the job but also bloody awkward when you've been getting on with someone very well only for a manager to steam in desperate to do the hard sell on whatever add-on makes them the most money that week.

It takes a certain type of character to watch 70 year olds being sold stuff they don't need and I didn't like it so I got out.

I can only imagine that's got worse over the years.

Sorry as I'm not trying to be unduly negative but I think you need to really think about the public side of what you see when you go into that environment as a customer v the business environment behind it all.

Pothole

34,367 posts

304 months

Monday 26th July 2021
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Craphouserat said:
I know.....I am mad to even think of it I guess.
My question was genuine.

lyonspride

2,978 posts

177 months

Monday 26th July 2021
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Craphouserat said:
Been in Forensic Biology 25 years - 45 yrs old.

Job as a Car Salesman has come up at my local dealership - used them for 20 years for cars, servicing and parts. Great garage - great service and seems like a good place to work. I'd love to work around cars all day.

My current job is good - and pays well. Sales job OTE is slightly above what I'm currently on. However, my mental health hasn't been great the last year-continually dealing with what humans do to each other has worn me down a bit.

Am I mad to even consider applying to my dealership?
And you think that working in a cut throat sales environment will be any better? You've seen the physical, welcome to the mental.

michael010389

239 posts

197 months

Thursday 29th July 2021
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Is this new or used? If new then now isn't the time to get into this. Look up microchip shortage. Give it at least 6 months to see if the microchip issue is resolved because factory orders are lengthy at the moment.

lyonspride

2,978 posts

177 months

Sunday 1st August 2021
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michael010389 said:
Is this new or used? If new then now isn't the time to get into this. Look up microchip shortage. Give it at least 6 months to see if the microchip issue is resolved because factory orders are lengthy at the moment.
It's not a "microchip" shortage, it's a "semi-conductor" shortage, completely different things. The media is driving me nuts with this BS at the moment, they have absolutely no idea what they're reporting on. Semi-conductors are in literally every electronic device, digital or analogue, microchip or none..... A diode is a semi-conductor.