What is a career in car sales like?

How to Start a Career in Car Sales

• Answer:

  There are advantages and disadvantages to a career in car sales. There is usually no educational requirement, although having a high school diploma should be considered a minimum amount of education for any job. Car sales is also a career that requires little experience. There will usually be a car dealership willing to take a chance on a new salesperson who has no experience. Of course, experience will help land a job at car dealerships with higher sales volumes, and that should be a career goal for someone starting out in a career in car sales. A car sales career can require long days, though, many hours more per week than the standard 40. Difficulty: Moderate Things You'll Need Resume Business attire Instructions Write a resume, including a list of references. Your resume should list your educational and work history. A chronological list often works well with potential employers because it helps to inform the employer what you've done with your life. Talk to your references to ensure they'll say positive things about you, especially that you get along with people, are a good conversationalist and a hard worker. Look through want ads for car dealerships advertising for salespeople. Many times car dealerships hire new sales staff without posting any ads, but if you happen to come across one, you'll have a good starting point. Take copies of your resume in a notebook, folder or briefcase and visit the car dealerships that have advertised for salespeople. If you didn't find any ads, visit the car dealerships you feel most comfortable with. Make sure you dress well, in business attire, as you might get lucky and get an on-the-spot interview. Ask to fill out a job application at the car dealerships. Be ready to start at a moment's notice. There might be an immediate need, and you'll show how eager you are to get started. Leave a copy of your resume, even if the car dealership isn't currently hiring. Be ready for the interview if you don't get one on the day you fill out your application. Car sales staff are typically go-getters, so you want to appear ready for anything. Be pleasant and eager during your interview. When you get an offer, it doesn't hurt to negotiate for a higher salary, although you can trade off a salary increase with an increase in the amount of commission earned per sale. Offer to work totally on commission if you don't get a job offer. Ask for a two-week tryout period during which you'll get paid only if you make sales. You'll find that it's an offer that many car dealerships will find too enticing to refuse. Tips & Warnings Tip: Have a business card made so you can hand them out during your visits to the car dealerships when looking for employment. Warning: Many people in car sales are very competitive, so be careful whom you make friends with at the car dealership.