doubt i will get many reply'*, but if anyone has any comment it would be appriciated

i have had several interviews at dealerships in the last couple week all but one has completely blown me off as soon as i walked in. they all keep telling me you have no experience so we cant hire you. now everywhere that i have applied has said on there ads no experience necessary. i was finally told by a dealer today i didn't look professional enough. so im going out to get a set of dress cloths on Thursday, but what else can i do. anyone know of dealerships more willing to hire newbies. any suggestions?

Smaller mom n pop shops are probably your best chance of getting started. Bigger companies are less likely to hire someone with no experience because they have a "reputation" to uphold, whereas the smaller places' customers are more of a "word of mouth" type place, where the customers have a better chance of knowing the owner of the place, or knows someone who does. The downfall to that is some of the smaller places might not be able to afford to hire another worker.

You also need to show, in your interview, that you can be a car salesman, and that they should hire you over someone else. Getting a good set of clothes that look professional is a good start. Wearing good clothes, like a suit, also helps build up self confidence..it can help you feel more capable, and that you can become successful. You shouldn't show any signs of frustration or nerves if things don't go real well..that shows them that you can't handle stressful situations real well, which in the slaes world is very important to have.

Good luck, and hopefully you can make your break into car sales soon

Good info what is funny though is the mom and pop ones want the most experience all there ads say 2-3 years

Here is a gameplan:

Well groomed
Clean shaven
Short hair
Nails trimmed

Suit and tie
Conservative suit
White shirt
T shirt under white shirt
Conservative polished shoes

Professional pad for paper
Conservative pen
Take notes during the entire interview

Firm handshake, relax and look him in the eye- good eye contact

Pre stamped thank you card that you fill out and mail the minute you leave the dealership, that the GSM (General Sales Manager) will receive the next day thanking him for taking the time to interview you and how you sense that you would be an excellent match for the dealership. This thank you letter will do WONDERS….


Follow the above I your odds of getting hired at a new car dealer greatly increase. Most large new car dealers have a sales training program.

Good luck and go get em…

Good info. Where did you come up with all of that? You have experience with dealerships or something?

Thanks jake

I am an older guy, been around the block a few times..... Have had many friends working in dealerships as General Managers and General Sales Managers. Just sharing some life lessons on how to interview, the same lessons I shared with my Sons (age 22 and 17). As you are new to car sales, i would suggest you consider the very largest dealerships with a training program. Might not pay as well, but you will get the training which is helpful- you can move on to other dealerships at a later time if appropriate.

Get em.....

Well thanks alot great information


Jake

Take all the above and add one more thing ... in order to show them you can sell cars, you have to show them you can sell yourself. Don't bullshit, but don't hide your light under a basket either. You are a strong candidate and you can help them build sales and customer loyalty. You know it ... now convince them. Focus on how hiring you will be good for them, not how it will be good for you.

By the way, most of the advice you are getting can be used for any job you apply for, not just this one.

ive wanted to get into dealerships in a bad way too.. my brother recently became the oil and lube guy at a honda dealership. I want to do detailing or sales but NOBODY is hiring.

Guns and 2KG nailed it. You really have to sell yourself to a guy that is #1 in his profession. He made it to that position for a reason. He can sell and knows what it takes. A good place to break into it is some larger Dealerships have an auxiliary used cars sales lot where they place younger greenhorns. I worked in such for a short period between construction jobs when younger. I answered an ad like yourself and was told I wasn't polished and if I wanted to get experience they would place me there.