With so many different careers out there in the motoring world, you might be spoiled for choice if you are searching for a job close to cars. One such role is car salesman; perfect for anyone who loves cars but does not want to get their hands dirty with the mechanics. Do you have what it takes to pursue this career? Let’s take a look at some of the things you will need.
A Passion for Cars
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First and foremost, you need to have a passion for and a good working knowledge of cars. You do not have to know everything about cars but the more you can learn, the further ahead you can push yourself.
Many people end up selling cars because they are good salesmen. If you also have a passion for cars, you will stand out from your peers. Make sure that you keep up to date with the latest developments and releases. While it can be tempting to only look at your favorite brand, you need to make sure that you are paying close attention to your own sector.
If you only sell luxury cars then you might not be interested in what the more affordable brands of cars are doing. However, if you work for your local Vauxhall car dealership, you need to make sure that you know exactly what Vauxhall is going to be releasing and how this can benefit the customer.
This type of knowledge is incredibly important and it can really make you stand out both to your manager and to your customers. No matter what type of car you are selling, you should be able to reel off the benefits and quirks in record time.
A Flair of Showmanship
Obviously, being a salesman means that you need to have a flair for showmanship. While you don’t need to be able to sell ice to the Eskimos, you are going to need to know how to close a deal when it seems like the customers are in two minds. This is an important skill and it is one you will work on as you progress in your career. Some people arrive on the concourse ready to sell, others take a little time to find their feet.
One of the most important parts of a sales pitch is the test drive. Ideally, your customers will be the ones in the driving seat. You need to make sure that they are completely comfortable behind the wheel of the car they want to buy.
However, there is a chance that you might also get behind the wheel; either to demonstrate a special feature or even just to move the car around. For this, you will need motor trade insurance. This is a special policy which protects you and the car you are driving if an accident occurs when it is in your care. Motor trade insurance is one of those tools that a customer will never see. However, you need to make sure that you have it in place in order to do your job properly. You can visit this site to find an insurance policy that suits your needs.
A Winning Personality
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There is a stereotype of car salesmen having a particular personality. While you should not aim to become a wheeler-dealer character, you should be able to build a connection with anyone you meet. People from all walks of life will buy a car and you should be able to sell to all of them.
You will want to be easy to talk to, chatty in return, and able to crack jokes at a moment’s notice. However, you also need to be able to recognize when you should hang back and when is not a good time for you to barge in with a joke or an anecdote. Having the people skills to be a successful salesman is something you can work on just as much as your sales skills. You might be incredibly nervous to approach your first few customers. If you are the type of person who is happy to be friends with everyone, a customer-facing role like this might be perfect for you. You also might get a lot of personal satisfaction out of being able to match the right person to their dream car.
Have You Got What It Takes?
Being a car salesman can be an incredibly lucrative path and it can offer a lot of reward for those willing to try it out. If you think that this is the career for you then you should start looking into opportunities in your local area today. There are even grad schemes for those looking for a fresh start out of university. If you know that you are a good seller and you have a lifelong passion for motor vehicles, a career as a car salesman might be your dream job!
