How can I get a job in the car industry? That is one of the most frequent questions I’m asked by young people looking to break into a career in the car world. It’s a valid question, for while the car industry is a constant revolving door, it can be tough to get in to that cycle the first time.
Most dealership managers won’t hire someone with no dealership experience. It’s too much of a pain to train someone from the ground up. Often, the newcomer discovers the pace is too fast and they bail out after the first few days. Otherwise, they are oriented for a few hours and then thrown to the wolves. Again, they often don’t last a week. It takes a certain type of person to take the punishment a dealership environment can dish out, especially in the early days and most managers would rather know that you’ve already figured that out.
So, where does that leave the eager kid who wants a job in a dealership? You have a few options. Perhaps the easiest is to find a friend in the industry. Once you know someone, it’s always easier to get a referral. While it may not be much, it will help get your foot in the door. This industry has been called incestuous, because in each city we all seem to have worked with one another at some point, in some store or at least have common friends. The other option is to try selling cars. Look in the local want ads. Every day there are ads for car salespeople, no experience needed. Most often, these are large traditional domestics that go through sales people like water. The job may work for you, or it may not but once again it will get your foot in the door. It may also give you an idea of what life in a car dealership is like and if you really want to be here.
The second route was how I ended up in the service department. I had just tried my hand at a small retail store and failed. I needed a job. I saw an ad for car salesman and figured that I loved cars and people and that this was for me. I got the job. I think I sold 6 cars over the next 2 months. Rather than fire me outright, they told me I couldn’t sell cars, but that the customers liked me and they’d like to keep me around. They had a position open as a Service Advisor and offered it to me. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, much less that it was the real beginning of my career.
There is also possibility of finding work through an automotive training school. There are many of these schools around, the only problem here is that you need to have some idea what job you want to do beforehand. Also, many people in the industry don’t believe in the service these schools provide, so it can sometimes work against you. Years ago, there was a school in Toronto that got most of it’s students from an unemployement back to work program. Most of their students were there because they had to be & would rarely show up for their placements. I and many others I know stopped taking co-op placements from them.
The car industry is not for everyone and it can be tough to get in, but once you are in it can take you a long way. The are few other industries where practical experience and people skills are worth more than book smarts. If you want to try, be persistent, work hard and never stop learning. You will be rewarded with a prosperous career.
Now go out and find a friend in the industry!
This post is being submitted to Problogger for a new group project on How To posts. Be sure to visit Darren on Friday to read all the other How To’s. You never know, we may all learn some things!
Interesting read. I had never thought of this avenue…I sort of have two things I’m sure I woulnd’t do well at…car sales and real estate. I’m too laid back and mellow for these!
Good to see your contribution to the Group Writing Project. You can check mine out at http://www.dipnoi.org/archives/category/salvation/
hey, laid back can work in the right store. european import showrooms tend to be much less in your face than american or japanese products. the customers will not tolerate being bullied into a purchase.
I just went through the car buying process. I had a great salesman and it made the process smooth and painless. It almost made me want to go into the business. I submitted a post to the Group Writing Projecthere also.
I’ve been in the car business for 2 years now, and have trouble thinking about doing something else. I started off selling, and believe me, I am anti-pushy. I’m so far the opposite of pushy that they need a new word for me…. and I work in a high-volume, high pressure import dealer. I ended up progressing to management so I’m not selling directly, and life is much better. It’s not so much that I love the job as I don’t hate it, and it pays very very well. Worth considering.
LOL around here they BEG you to come work for the dealerships with zero experience. Funny how things vary throughout the US! Our list is up as well if you’d like to check it out!!
leroy – the sales manager gig is great for the right person. with 3 kids and a commute, i’m well beyond working the late nights and saturdays.
Nice post, Gary. I’ve wondered about the car business for a while. I haven’t had very good experiences with car dealerships, though, and that has turned me off towards them. I think if more salesmen took the time to learn more about the psychology of selling, it would make for a better experience for everyone. Thanks for the insights!
P.S. I have a post in problogger’s project, too.
It never hurts to network. Never. No matter what the industry.
(found you through ProBlogger)
YOU ARE ABSOLUTLEY CORRECT THAT IT TAKES A SPECIAL SORT OF PERSON TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THE CRAP YOU ARE DEALT ON A DAILY BASIS AS A SERVICE ADVISOR.IN 1985 THE OIL BUSINESS IN TEXAS HAD CRATERED,I WAS 27 YEARS OLD,WAS ENGAGED & NEEDED A JOB.I ANSWERED AN AD IN THE LOCAL PAPER FOR A SERVICE DISPATCHERS JOB AT THE CHEVY DEALER IN TOWN & LUCKILY OR UNLUCKILY GOT THE JOB.I WAS ONE OF THOSE THAT WAS BASICALLY TOLD TO SINK OR SWIM.WELL NOT HAVING ANY EXPERIENCE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS HAMPERED ME GREATLY,HOWEVER WHAT I DID HAVE WAS THE PERSONALITY TO OVERCOME THAT,I UNDER PROMISED & OVER DELIVERED.AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS A SERVICE ADVISOR QUIT & I WAS HANDED HIS JOB.THE ONE THING I HAVE LEARNED IS THAT YOU MUST HAVE THICK SKIN AND THE ABILITY TO LET STUFF ROLL OFF YOUR BACK.I TRY TO TREAT PEOPLE LIKE I WOULD WANT TO BE TREATED,HOWEVER IF YOU INSIST ON BEING AN ASS THEN I WILL HAVE TO BE ASS AS WELL.A SERVICE ADVISORS JOB IS VERY DEPENDENT ON ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE DOING THIER JOB CORRECTLY,THE TECH HAS TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM CORRECTLY,THE PARTS MUST BE ORDERED CORRECTLY ETC.SO MANY THINGS HAVE TO BE DONE IN ORDER FOR THE ADVISOR TO HAVE A COMPLETELY SATISFIED CUSTOMER.THANKS FOR THE RANT & IT WAS A GREAT POST.
Interesting post about something I’ve never had an interest in but read all the way to the end. That’s a sign of a great post, thanks!