Getting a job in the car sales industry?

lethal_2

Hey, I am 16 (17 next months :T ) and in the first year of doing my a-levels, and want a job selling cars. Ok, I know it's not everyones cup of tea but I have dreamt about selling cars from god knows when, but the only thing is, I do not know how to get in? I have little experience working at primark for around 4 months. After this year, I am planning on exiting education and going to try to persue a career in sales hopefully cars but do not know where to begin. Do you think I should appreach motor companies such as ford and ask if I can do some voluntary work experience for two weeks (in the summer)? I have tried jon centre amd other goverment agencies but the are no hope!

lethal

nickmack

lethal wrote: »

Do you think I should appreach motor companies such as ford and ask if I can do some voluntary work experience for two weeks (in the summer)?

Voluntary work may be an option to get a feel.

Selling cars is a pretty cut throat business, so you'll need to be good from the off.

You could look at getting a Saturday job as junior salesman or starting as a service advisor to get some knowledge of the dealership.

Loop

Good luck mate, sales is the hardest industry cos its brutal, but you sound like hte optimistic type that will do well in it...just throw yourself into sales, if you stop and breath for a second osmenoe will be taking your sales!

I would see if you can work in sales ANYWHERE 1st, like a mobile phone company or anything sales just part time, and see how you get on. Basically if you can prove yourself, you dont need qualifications or experience..

Just as an after htought why not try telesales temping or summit, that way you can add it to your CV...

lethal_2

I am currently looking for any job as i quit my old job @ primark due to the little pay and plus the managers dint like me! but I do regret quiting!

Do you think in the summer holidays I should try the above and go do some voluntary work in a car sales industry or should I just try and get any job in sales and then move on from there?

bristol_pilot

I think you should learn to drive as soon as you are old enough, a pre-requisite for many jobs these days and especially in car sales. That would be a good thing to do in your summer hols.

If you have a talent for selling, you will break into car sales no problem, used car places will give you a start with little experience cos they'll simply sack you if you are no good. Forget about voluntary work in sales, but you could try commission-only for a short time. When you have 1-2 years experience (without getting the sack), apply to a main dealer for a sales job.

Have you understood, I mean really understood, why the managers apparently did not "like you" at Primark. Worth thinking about, there will be some valuable learning there. Customers will not buy if they don't like the salesman! Yes, really.

CFC

Car sales is very cut throat, extremely hard work, and with very long hours, and often the training in small places leaves a lot to be desired. You will certainly need a driving licence for a full job in car sales as BP points out.

The suggestion of looking for a telesales job is sound - ideally you want your first job to be somewhere that will give you some proper sales training as a foundation.

Loop

I do think you will be shocked at just how ruthless car sales is...but nonetheless, you wont find out if your suited until you give it a go! My partner did sales for 12 years, and he was drained and exhausted by the end of that career, because they squeeze you for everything. Hei s now retraining in something completely different, and loves it.

Lots of tlesales companies do temping and saturday work, perhaps send a few letters/cv's round to them and see if anything comes up. Vouluntary work will be harder to come by in this profession IMHO!

Goood Luck xxx