21, finished university, an automotive industry career?
Discussion
Ok, so I have just completed a Degree in Business and Marketing and am looking for my first full time job, have a real ambition to work in to motor industry in some aspect.
I understand it's on its arse at the moment, as is everything else to an extent...but it will recover and I would like to be in a position to build a career in the industry.
Obviously I have a level of knowledge in Business and Marketing issues, but am aware that I am not 'qualified' as a result of my pending degree (touch wood) but rather that it just shows the ability to learn and work to a standard, basically I'm not an idiot.
In addition I have 3 years retail experience (part time), based primarily around sales/customer service (but also the usual shop floor work) and as such am not a stranger to customer contact roles and am reasonably adept at it, understanding buyer behaviour and marketing communications (inculding sales) as a result of my studies.
I Have been searching for jobs using Monster .etc but frankly they are pretty useless, full of agencies and cryptic job adverts, very unspecific (although I have found a few leads). However a standard across the majority of adverts (even those outside of the motor industry) is the word 'Experience' it's a catch 22 really as although I have transferrable skills, they are not directly acquired from equivalent job roles, and I need a job to get experience in the first place.
Marketing positions almost universally require sales experience; I have to an extent but would like to build upon this as it's a critical skill and very important to my future.
Car sales seems like a good 1st step, it appeals on a personal basis and builds upon what I already know (education, personal interest and past experience), whilst also providing a footing to move upwards at some point in the future (either in dealership's or moving into the manufacturers themselves).
I live at home (The North West, Chester), and currently earn under £400 a month part time, so the relative lack of money (on basic) is not a concern, It seems like the best time to have a go at it, before I have any other real commitments. But I’m unsure as to the most appropriate way to gain a job, mechanic apprentices are commonplace, but do dealerships undertake sales training in a similar fashion?
Additionally there are a number of other roles, Service advisors and after-sales support .etc which would allow me to build a relationship and then perhaps move into sales at a later date, would you reccomend these as a good way of getting a footing?
Essentially I'm quite happy to sacrifice take home earnings in the short term, although I'm driven to earn well and govern this myself (commission based) I firstly need to establish myself in a full time role and gain some experience.
Any advice, suggestions, tips, criticisms .etc are welcome, I’m sure there are a number of you whom work in the industry and could provide valuable information about the role, pro’s and con’s and also the best approach to take to getting into the industry (even if that is holding off for the short term).
Additionally will my education and degree (business and marketing) be valued in any sense, Sales is the great leveller, but surely a theoretical knowledge of business and marketing would provide a bit of extra value?
Many Thanks for all your advice
Matthew Eames
I understand it's on its arse at the moment, as is everything else to an extent...but it will recover and I would like to be in a position to build a career in the industry.
Obviously I have a level of knowledge in Business and Marketing issues, but am aware that I am not 'qualified' as a result of my pending degree (touch wood) but rather that it just shows the ability to learn and work to a standard, basically I'm not an idiot.
In addition I have 3 years retail experience (part time), based primarily around sales/customer service (but also the usual shop floor work) and as such am not a stranger to customer contact roles and am reasonably adept at it, understanding buyer behaviour and marketing communications (inculding sales) as a result of my studies.
I Have been searching for jobs using Monster .etc but frankly they are pretty useless, full of agencies and cryptic job adverts, very unspecific (although I have found a few leads). However a standard across the majority of adverts (even those outside of the motor industry) is the word 'Experience' it's a catch 22 really as although I have transferrable skills, they are not directly acquired from equivalent job roles, and I need a job to get experience in the first place.
Marketing positions almost universally require sales experience; I have to an extent but would like to build upon this as it's a critical skill and very important to my future.
Car sales seems like a good 1st step, it appeals on a personal basis and builds upon what I already know (education, personal interest and past experience), whilst also providing a footing to move upwards at some point in the future (either in dealership's or moving into the manufacturers themselves).
I live at home (The North West, Chester), and currently earn under £400 a month part time, so the relative lack of money (on basic) is not a concern, It seems like the best time to have a go at it, before I have any other real commitments. But I’m unsure as to the most appropriate way to gain a job, mechanic apprentices are commonplace, but do dealerships undertake sales training in a similar fashion?
Additionally there are a number of other roles, Service advisors and after-sales support .etc which would allow me to build a relationship and then perhaps move into sales at a later date, would you reccomend these as a good way of getting a footing?
Essentially I'm quite happy to sacrifice take home earnings in the short term, although I'm driven to earn well and govern this myself (commission based) I firstly need to establish myself in a full time role and gain some experience.
Any advice, suggestions, tips, criticisms .etc are welcome, I’m sure there are a number of you whom work in the industry and could provide valuable information about the role, pro’s and con’s and also the best approach to take to getting into the industry (even if that is holding off for the short term).
Additionally will my education and degree (business and marketing) be valued in any sense, Sales is the great leveller, but surely a theoretical knowledge of business and marketing would provide a bit of extra value?
Many Thanks for all your advice
Matthew Eames
MILK ROUND ?
https://www.matchtech.com/engineering/automotive/?...
I'm about to apply for this :
https://www.matchtech.com/job/195591/
Not sure I'm qualified, as I have 20 years experience of Automotive Product Introduction and Manufacturing Lean Improvement, but I'll rewrite my CV and have a punt.
https://www.matchtech.com/engineering/automotive/?...
I'm about to apply for this :
https://www.matchtech.com/job/195591/
Not sure I'm qualified, as I have 20 years experience of Automotive Product Introduction and Manufacturing Lean Improvement, but I'll rewrite my CV and have a punt.
I work in the motor industry, so i'll give you the benefit of my experience.
Having a degree is a positive, but won't in itself get you a job. If you wish to work directly for a manufacturer you will need at least a 2:1 from a good university, to get onto a grad scheme. However I think due to the recession virtually all grad schemes are closed at the moment and will be for some time.
You also need to think what interests you, having an interest in cars is a positive but it generally won't ever get used at least in a direct level. Some grads have an issue working in dealers, they can see it as demeaning. It is long hours, but is useful experience, whether you wish to make it to that of a dealer principal or at the head office of a manufacturer.
If you get a 2:1 and you are at a good uni, I would go down the route of working for a dealer group, possibly as car sales , but more likely as service advisor. Both jobs are hard work, and if you are unlucky enough to work for an old school manager, are not worth the money.
You could also consider working around the fringes of the motor trade, i.e working for Kerrigde, or for RAC warranties etc etc. Which might test your IT or sales ability. Basically getting a finctional skill would help. There is a reasonalby growth area at the moment in parts sales, and they are looking for reps with sales experience, so there is another route.
In summary, gain a 2-3 years experience at the coal face of a dealer/associated entity, then try for a grad scheme.
I didn't start work in the motor trade until I was 28, but worked in IT sales before then. A lot of my non industry experience is being employed at the moment particularly in sales as the motor industry never sees the benefit of employing people from outside the industry, which is probably why it is in the s
t at the moment.
hth
forgot to add, you can find car jobs at am-online.co.uk.
Having a degree is a positive, but won't in itself get you a job. If you wish to work directly for a manufacturer you will need at least a 2:1 from a good university, to get onto a grad scheme. However I think due to the recession virtually all grad schemes are closed at the moment and will be for some time.
You also need to think what interests you, having an interest in cars is a positive but it generally won't ever get used at least in a direct level. Some grads have an issue working in dealers, they can see it as demeaning. It is long hours, but is useful experience, whether you wish to make it to that of a dealer principal or at the head office of a manufacturer.
If you get a 2:1 and you are at a good uni, I would go down the route of working for a dealer group, possibly as car sales , but more likely as service advisor. Both jobs are hard work, and if you are unlucky enough to work for an old school manager, are not worth the money.
You could also consider working around the fringes of the motor trade, i.e working for Kerrigde, or for RAC warranties etc etc. Which might test your IT or sales ability. Basically getting a finctional skill would help. There is a reasonalby growth area at the moment in parts sales, and they are looking for reps with sales experience, so there is another route.
In summary, gain a 2-3 years experience at the coal face of a dealer/associated entity, then try for a grad scheme.
I didn't start work in the motor trade until I was 28, but worked in IT sales before then. A lot of my non industry experience is being employed at the moment particularly in sales as the motor industry never sees the benefit of employing people from outside the industry, which is probably why it is in the s
t at the moment.hth
forgot to add, you can find car jobs at am-online.co.uk.
Edited by stockhatcher on Wednesday 10th June 08:40
stockhatcher said:
I work in the motor industry, so i'll give you the benefit of my experience.
due to the recession virtually all grad schemes are closed at the moment and will be for some time.
Some grads have an issue working in dealers, they can see it as demeaning. It is long hours, but is useful experience, whether you wish to make it to that of a dealer principal or at the head office of a manufacturer.
Many thanks stockhatcher, yes the grad schemes are all pretty much closed (as are the majority across all industries to be honest, or at least cut down) but I want to be around and with experience when they do re-open.due to the recession virtually all grad schemes are closed at the moment and will be for some time.
Some grads have an issue working in dealers, they can see it as demeaning. It is long hours, but is useful experience, whether you wish to make it to that of a dealer principal or at the head office of a manufacturer.
Edited by stockhatcher on Wednesday 10th June 08:40
Working within a dealer is not below me at all. a lot of my grad friends do indeed see themselves above all this now they have a degree....I realise that in reality it means bugger all and actively WANT to get into dealerships now to build some experience as a path to a grad scheme/main office job.
Sales really interests me as it's going to help me in the future no matter where I work, that is the route I would like to go down (currently looking for a few books on Amazon, any suggestions?) but I would take anything if It got me in the door.
I have applied to an advert for a service advisor locally, and also plan on contacting all the main dealers around here prospectively within the next few days,are there any training schemes run by the dealer groups that I could make use off?
I'm on Reed jobsite, and there are a number of vacancies avaliable, within the reigon, but the majority of them want experience, that I dont have.....but it can't hurt trying, would you advise to stay away from a particular areas (such as the supermarkets....of which there are a few close to me) or perhaps from the prestiege brands (which I guess would not take on 'rookie' sales staff anyway)
Additionally I have applied for the Enterprise rent-a car scheme, it's management based but over the course of a few years should give me experience in pretty much anything, never thought of it until now but the lease companys could be worth a look aswell.
Thanks for all your advice everyone.
For reference sale jobs with the top FTSE100 companies are easy to come by for good graduates.....You will get £25k+ and a car etc.
Just something to consider.
A friend of mine works for Mars £28K basic + Audi A4, works from home.
GlaxoSmithKliene is where another friend has gone £22k basic + good car allowance and other benefits.
Worth considering anyway if you cant get something in car sales and fancy a bit more money.
Just something to consider.
A friend of mine works for Mars £28K basic + Audi A4, works from home.
GlaxoSmithKliene is where another friend has gone £22k basic + good car allowance and other benefits.
Worth considering anyway if you cant get something in car sales and fancy a bit more money.
Matthew_Eames said:
MiniMan64 said:
I see you're looking at Enterprise Rent a Car. If you value your sanity or your life, just don't.
Please.
Any specific reason why? not 100% on it yet, just an idea.Please.
Best mate worked there for a year straight out of uni, his hours were awful, he didn't get paid overtime, his basic pay was rubbish, hardly any holiday, got treated like crap by management, no promotion opportunites, it just went on and on and on. He absolutely hated it, spent most of his time washing cars and driving our for deliveries which sounds fun but isnt when all you've got to drive is Kia Cee'ds. He used to get call outs for car delivery right at the end of the day and have to drive our somewhere miles away and then come all the way back to office and not be done till seven and not get paid for it. He worked every Saturday and then they'd have to do one or two full weekends a month "on call" where they'd could get called out from home to collect a customer any time between 8am and 11pm.
It was rubbish but by all means try it if you like.
Matthew_Eames said:
Car sales seems like a good 1st step
Be carful of this as I imagine it is similar to my experience, I went down the mobile phone route rather than car sales route. I have managed to move on now but there are sterotypes applied to certain sales people in the industry and can sometimes (especially at the moment) be viewed as bad sales people straight away. mobile phone sales, car sales, door to door and double glazing sales people now come under a similar opinion group with potential employers I have found!
Just my experience...
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