Help an Oppo get his foot in the door!

"Taylor Hedgie" (TaylorHedgie)
03/11/2017 at 20:14 • Filed to: opponaut inquiry

Ayy there fellow Opponauts; I recently discovered my local BMW dealership (Don Jacobs of Lexington) is hiring for Sales Consultant and I’ve been chomping at the bit to get back into auto sales ever since leaving a Chevy dealership a few years ago.

My issue is I’ve fallen into a horrid stretch of unemployment (1 1/2 - 2 years now) and am kind of a nervous wreck on how I should go about this interview I have on Monday.

Another thing I’m somewhat worried about is that I’m only 26 and about all the other Sales folk there seem to at least be 35.

Anyone have any inside info on BMW dealerships or how to really show I have what it takes to sale these things? I was capable of selling a $50k+ Camaro and gobs of Sonic and Malibus, but with these being Bimmers, I don’t know if that’s something I should bring up or?

Tips? Suggestions?

Thanks for reading, and as a reward, have gif I made of everyone’s favorite batshit crazy muscle car:

DISCUSSION (18)

Toby F., Manager > Taylor Hedgie
03/11/2017 at 20:32

From a general point of view... and as a person with experiences on both sides of recruiting:

Since this is a sales position, you should be especially ready to demonstrate your ability to sell products (any products, know your products) and be able to numerically demonstrate and discuss your accomplishments (e.g. Volume of sales in x-amount of time, gross sales, number of clients and/or potential clients you’ve contacted), as well as be able to express examples for behavioral questions.

Also, don’t forget to breath and take a pause to compose yourself. And age ain’t nothing but a number.

MyJeepGetsStuckInTheSnow > Taylor Hedgie
03/11/2017 at 20:38

Wear a nice suite. Know the current BMW lineup and all the options of each model like the back of your hand. The more ready you are to hit the ground running the better chance you have. Good luck. Getting an in person interview is 90% of the battle these days. Good luck.

Taylor Hedgie > Toby F., Manager
03/11/2017 at 20:39

Thanks! (Especially for that last bit for sure haha)

Taylor Hedgie > MyJeepGetsStuckInTheSnow
03/11/2017 at 21:01

That’s what I’m cramming right now is the 9001 models they have, probably gonna be up all night, thanks!

AM3R, lost another burner > Taylor Hedgie
03/11/2017 at 21:17

With cars like BMW, Audi, and benz, they mostly sell themselves tbh. Once you get the job I’m sure you’ll be doing great. I’ve never worked in sales so I can’t help much, but I’m a BMW nerd so if there’s anything I can help with ask away.

hike > Taylor Hedgie
03/11/2017 at 21:40

Know your numbers and know why your product is better than the competition. The thing that sets the average salespeople apart from the stand outs tends to be their ability to follow-up leads. Depending on how the dealer operates, phone skills could be key.

Your boy, BJR > Taylor Hedgie
03/11/2017 at 22:04

My tip is don’t work in car sales.

PepperMRoadster > Taylor Hedgie
03/11/2017 at 23:02

I’ve had a business for 25+ yrs & been through countless employees. I’m so impressed with the camaraderie on this site & Jalop that it makes me feel good. You’ve received good advice here. I have nothing to offer except to say good luck. I hope the best for you. If you’re near Scranton PA look me up. Maybe I can help.

E90M3 > Taylor Hedgie
03/12/2017 at 09:26

My issue is I’ve fallen into a horrid stretch of unemployment (1 1/2 - 2 years now)

Hot damn, I was unemployed for 11 months. I couldn’t imagine it going on much longer than that. It’ll be close to a year when I start my job.

Sounds like you’ve already had experience selling cars so focus on that. Be like while you might not know all the features and options of the BMWs, you’ll learn but you already have sales experience which should be more important to them. I will say, most of the BMW salesman I’ve encountered don’t know all that much about the products, then again I’m not shopping new since I don’t really like any of the new ones.

Best of luck and let us know how it goes.

Taylor Hedgie > E90M3
03/12/2017 at 10:39

I can tell you things get very very dark after 1+ year hits haha

E90M3 > Taylor Hedgie
03/12/2017 at 10:51

I think rock bottom for me was about 10 months in. I had just gotten rejected from a job and had nothing else on the table. I got laid off April 7, 2016 and I start my new job on March 20th. I was getting hopeless, I don’t know how you’ve dealt with it for that long.

Taylor Hedgie > E90M3
03/12/2017 at 18:12

Well I’m excited that you are getting out of that rut! And as much as I try to not get political, if obamacare hadn’t covered my meds, I honestly to goodness can say things could have gotten a whoooole lot worse.

E90M3 > Taylor Hedgie
03/12/2017 at 18:23

It’s a huge relief to be honest. I’ve still got a week left before I start, and my biggest problems right now are having to build some shelves since my apartment didn’t come with a pantry and finding a manual M-sport E92 328i.

Good that you were able to get the help you needed. I try to stay apolitical on here.

Hopefully things turn around for you soon. Also, I found the hardest part was getting an interview, and since you have sales experience you might have a pretty good shot at getting this. So best of luck, we both know how bad unemployment is, so hopefully it’s over for you soon.

Herr Quattro - Has a 4-motion > PepperMRoadster
03/12/2017 at 22:13

Well, incidentally, I live near Scranton PA and I am looking for a job myself at the moment. I turned 18 3 days ago, so I SHOULD be eligible to start working at car dealerships now :)

Which dealer do you work for...?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Taylor Hedgie
03/12/2017 at 22:37

Kinja'd!!!

PepperMRoadster > Herr Quattro - Has a 4-motion
03/12/2017 at 22:44

I don’t work for a dealer but I know the BMW dealer locally. Good guy. My brother & I have a mostly mail order biz here in an Industrial park. Not sure the best way 2 reach me from here. Feel free 2 let me know how. If I can b any help...

Herr Quattro - Has a 4-motion > PepperMRoadster
03/13/2017 at 10:09

Any chance referring to Daniel BMW...?

PepperMRoadster > Herr Quattro - Has a 4-motion
03/13/2017 at 10:19

Hesser