by "way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
Published 05/22/2017 at 13:27
by "way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
Published 05/22/2017 at 13:27
Tags: LUXURY
; customer service
STARS: 0
How’s it going Oppo? I’ve been looking at various premium car brands to find a job in sales. My question is, what do these brands look for in a good salesperson candidate?
In terms of qualifications I might talk about, I’ve worked in retail sales for over a year previously, enjoy building rapport with customers, and am good at staying positive in the face of rejection. I know most of these brands inside and out from a features and performance perspective. For what it’s worth, I follow automotive news closely and have autocrossed with the SCCA on numerous occasions.
Any and all ideas for what to talk about would be greatly appreciated. I interview for one of them later this week and am excited for the opportunity...
"Land_Yacht_225" (nadenator)
05/22/2017 at 13:33, STARS: 1
I actually just went through the process and got hired. These guys love to hear about customer service and how you will call the purchaser every day for 6 months after they buy the car just to make sure they’re satisfied. Their major concern is your ability to be charismatic and close a sale, and then your enthusiasm to go above and beyond to annoy the crap out of the customer after they buy the car to ensure they never buy another car from you. Its basically, “Can you provide an ‘experience’ befitting not only what the vehicle manufacturer dictates but also the dealer’s image?” You may as well not even mention you like cars to answer any question because your knowledge of cars is pretty much irrelevant. I got asked why I wanted to get into auto sales, I said because I like cars and every single goddamn time, “ok, but what are your other reasons?”
At least at the huge dealer chain I just got hired by.
"Toby F., Manager" (itsmefromhr)
05/22/2017 at 13:35, STARS: 2
You’ve stated pretty much everything you need to be an attractive candidate (in my personal opinion). My only recommendations are to find a way to incorporate hard numbers, for example: gross sales in x-time, ability to attract and retain buyers/client base in x amount of time, etc. Also, keep calm, don’t lie, follow up, respect, persevere, and enact professionalism (even if they don’t...)
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
05/22/2017 at 13:45, STARS: 0
Is knowledge of cars relevant for more enthusiast-oriented brands (i.e. Alfa Romeo, Porsche, etc.), or is the main focus really just the customer service side? My understanding currently is that even the “sports car” brands only sell a small fraction of their cars to “enthusiasts.”
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
05/22/2017 at 13:47, STARS: 0
What resources would you recommend for improving my knowledge for the hard numbers? I’m not necessarily fluent in gross sales terminology, but I can certainly familiarize myself with it before I interview this week.
"Land_Yacht_225" (nadenator)
05/22/2017 at 14:01, STARS: 0
It is the industry’s “well researched” opinion that customer service is 100% of it in any sector but exotic cars, and even then customer service is like 99.9%. The idea is that since the majority of customers don’t know anything, all you should need is the vapid memorization of spec sheets that anybody can do to get by if anybody asks a question. Enthusiasts know too much so they aren’t going to ask you any questions because they will have already done research so you are, again, just an instrument of completing the purchase.
Also, good luck getting into a luxury brand. I got plopped into a domestic sales position before I could say, “do you have any positions at Mercedes?”
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
05/22/2017 at 14:07, STARS: 0
LOL every time I get my lexus car repaired/maintenance done, I get several emails and several phone calls to make sure I was satisfied. When I yes them to death, they send countless surveys to find out how they did.
I almost rather find a tree shade mechanic who won’t bother me after I get the car back.
"Toby F., Manager" (itsmefromhr)
05/22/2017 at 15:52, STARS: 0
Sorry, bit late. What I meant is to highlight your applicable past performance in terms of your experiences. For example, if you were able to attract or retain a consumer(s); and, the amount you were able to sell in a months time (e.g. Sold $5000 worth of a certain product, whether it had been bananas, watches, or whatever else). A great indicator of future perfomance is past performance; as my HR professors have stated.
"DrDDay" (drdday)
06/17/2017 at 18:34, STARS: 0
If you are just getting into the business, highline is not the place to learn. You are better off learning at a quality high volume store (Toyota, Honda, VW) getting your feet under your and then moving to something upscale.
If you start in the high end stuff, there’s a good chance you will be eaten alive early. You want to be able to get as many swings of the bat as you can until you know you are able to take the most advantage of every customer that walks through the door.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
06/17/2017 at 18:38, STARS: 0
That’s a good point, I’ve actually been looking at a couple of other dealerships since I made the original post. My main focus was finding an “enthusiast” type of dealership, but high-end cars really aren’t any more enthusiast-oriented than any others.
"DrDDay" (drdday)
06/17/2017 at 18:48, STARS: 0
I would recommend selling a product you personally like. It is a lot easier to enthusiastically sell someone on a product when it is something you would purchase yourself.
Also, the dealership in general is important.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
06/17/2017 at 18:51, STARS: 0
That’s definitely a good point too. I’d want to work at one that’s maybe provided me with good customer service in the past as well.