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Looking for some Auto Dealership career advise

KeysMcK
Posts: 91 Forumite

Hey,
Graduating Uni in June, and want to get into a well paid job ASAP!
Its a Marketing Degree, so will obviously be looking for Marketing jobs in the Manchester area, BUT lately I've been thinking of applying for car sales jobs instead. My question is, how hard is it to get into the business?
I know the business is high paced, high stress, hard to handle for some people, but that's me all over, and the potential to earn money, well that makes 50+ hour weeks worth while!
I have sales experience (retail and phone B2B), but nothing in automotive apart from a motorfactors.
Any tips on how best to approach dealerships? The chances of getting a place without any prior experience? The best dealerships to approach?
Any advise appreciated.
Keys
Graduating Uni in June, and want to get into a well paid job ASAP!
Its a Marketing Degree, so will obviously be looking for Marketing jobs in the Manchester area, BUT lately I've been thinking of applying for car sales jobs instead. My question is, how hard is it to get into the business?
I know the business is high paced, high stress, hard to handle for some people, but that's me all over, and the potential to earn money, well that makes 50+ hour weeks worth while!
I have sales experience (retail and phone B2B), but nothing in automotive apart from a motorfactors.
Any tips on how best to approach dealerships? The chances of getting a place without any prior experience? The best dealerships to approach?
Any advise appreciated.
Keys
0
Comments
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Dealerships tend to have a high turnover of staff.
Make yourself more attractive by knowing about the cars that they sell, the finance they offer including types of finance, and be able to think on your feet. Consider your answers to questions of customer care and sales techniques. Ensure you are presentable and add oodles of charm and listening skills.
Plus be prepared to work potentially 6 days a week and every Saturday and be motivated by money and doing a good job for the customer.
I would write speculative applications if you don't see any positions advertised and don't try to get into the B2B side, focus on retail.0 -
Hi OP
I live in Manchester - there's a fair few marketing posts advertised currently, so I would try and concentrate on them. Car sales is a pretty evil business.0 -
I recommend that you go on You Tube and search for Grant Cardone (US millionaire who started off in car sales, and now owns an automotor sales training company.) His videos are brilliant, I use them and I work in hospitality/leisure.
I also highly recommend one video called something like '12 steps to your dream job.' If I were you I would follow his tips of choosing 3 dealerships you want to work for, get in front of the manager, and give him your pitch.0 -
While you must of course be keen, eager and presentable to do the job, show some gumption and actually go in and cold call the Dealer Principal or GM. One of them will be there (eventually!) but if you ask when they will be next back and trot off, don't bother coming back.
Car sales can be the easiest, boring, low-paid job or the most frenzied, high-earning jobs in the world.0 -
I didn't get notifications of response, sorry for getting back to you so delayed!
Thanks for all the advise!
Taken all on board and hopefully will help me achieve employment in June!
As for the Marketing jobs, my main issue is the enitial pay! I really need to be earning AT LEAST £20,000 to justify relocation, won't happily take a job for less than £24,000 really, which is why car sales seems so attractive!
I'm pretty money motivated, and a natural salesman, I know if I get into it I'll do well and make the big money! I'm even considering getting into the market for just a year or two, whilst I build up some excess cash, then going into a marketing job, with the safety net of savings!
Working 6 days per week, long hours, I don't mind at all, I'm not often happier than when I'm earning! lol.
Thanks again, any more input appreciated again!0 -
What makes you think you are good at sales?
I spent a few years as a sales manager at the sharp end, and many that thought they could sell had no idea in reality.0 -
What makes you think big money is there for the taking in car sales? Sure, some will make a lot of money at it, but I'd expect them to either have been in the business for a long time and really know how to do it well, or are particularly good at sales and would make money whatever business they are in. Seeing a car salesman driving around in a flashy car does not mean he has the money to actually own that car!0
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As a new grad you have essentially 2 years to get into a major company in a proper 'grad' job/scheme and start climbing the ladder, otherwise you may as well not have done a degree. So I'd concentrate on that for now.
Starting salary £20k-£25k is the norm for proper grad jobs, more in London, so that is within the range you wanted. There are many so-called 'marketing' jobs that are just selling people stuff in the street - that's not what you want and neither is car sales, which you could have done straight from school.0
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