Body & Soul1 min ago
Job Interview Advice
12 Answers
My nephew is going to an assessment day, with a view to getting a job as a 'Car Sales Executive' at a dealership. I've been able to give him plenty of the usual interview advice, but would be interested to hear any other tips or advice regarding the specifics of such a job. Any help appreciated.
Answers
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well we have bought two expensive cars from the same dealership and we go back there for MOTs and services because the folk are genuinely nice and want to be helpful. We aren't their best or richest customers but they go the extra mile and went out of their way to find me the specific car that i wanted, even steering me away from a more expensive option because they thought I wouldn't be happy with it...so genuine customer service I think is the biggy.
If it's the same sort of 'assessment day' that I attended for a possible car sales job your nephew can forget all about traditional interviews.
The event I attended had nearly 100 people there for the first stage. We were divided into groups of about 8 or 10 people, who were then asked to work together on a particular task. I seem to remember that it was something to do with being stranded on a desert island, with various items at our disposal and being asked to prioritise our needs and actions. Groups of assessors moved between the groups, noting who was contributing to the discussions and how they were doing it. (e.g. who was taking the lead, who was being too reticent, who was trying to dominate the discussion, etc).
The assessors then called 'time' on the initial discussions and asked the groups for their conclusions. (Again, I assume that they were looking to see who wanted to be the spokespeople for each group, and whether they were representing everyone's views or just their own).
At the end of that stage, about 60% of the participants were thanked for their attendance but asked to leave. Unfortunately I can't tell you what happened after that, as I was one of the 60% !
Chris
The event I attended had nearly 100 people there for the first stage. We were divided into groups of about 8 or 10 people, who were then asked to work together on a particular task. I seem to remember that it was something to do with being stranded on a desert island, with various items at our disposal and being asked to prioritise our needs and actions. Groups of assessors moved between the groups, noting who was contributing to the discussions and how they were doing it. (e.g. who was taking the lead, who was being too reticent, who was trying to dominate the discussion, etc).
The assessors then called 'time' on the initial discussions and asked the groups for their conclusions. (Again, I assume that they were looking to see who wanted to be the spokespeople for each group, and whether they were representing everyone's views or just their own).
At the end of that stage, about 60% of the participants were thanked for their attendance but asked to leave. Unfortunately I can't tell you what happened after that, as I was one of the 60% !
Chris
What do I think they were looking for?
Well, I'd guess at a willingness to participate in the discussion, the ability to absorb information and suggestions from others (and to build upon them) and the ability to explain things clearly (but without 'lecturing').
But I assumed most of those things anyway, and still didn't get past the first round, so what do I know about it?
;-)
Well, I'd guess at a willingness to participate in the discussion, the ability to absorb information and suggestions from others (and to build upon them) and the ability to explain things clearly (but without 'lecturing').
But I assumed most of those things anyway, and still didn't get past the first round, so what do I know about it?
;-)
For anything to do with sales, proof of wanting to work to and exceed targets and being money orientated often works well (depending on the set up) as the incentive to push for more sales and go the extra mile to clinch a deal and make more money (on commission if that's the structure so ultimately also for the company).
Confidence and good people skills - the ability to be persuasive in often a soft selling way (so the target doesn't know they are the subject of sometimes aggressive sales techniques). Being able to control conversations to achieve the result you want, turn things around when it's not going your way and other sales tricks eg knowing how to keep people talking. A good charismatic personality is often a winner, someone who stands out without being overbearing or annoying.
Confidence and good people skills - the ability to be persuasive in often a soft selling way (so the target doesn't know they are the subject of sometimes aggressive sales techniques). Being able to control conversations to achieve the result you want, turn things around when it's not going your way and other sales tricks eg knowing how to keep people talking. A good charismatic personality is often a winner, someone who stands out without being overbearing or annoying.
Oh, I forgot haha, vital is the ability to sell - not always as easy as it sounds and is quite a skill in itself!
I'm always quite amazed at the length some will go to to try and get a sale. I remember going with a friend who was looking once and I got a ridiculously hard sell from one of the guys trying to persuade me to buy a car to learn to drive in (err, don't think so!) and a later time when my ex and I were looking they came out with all sorts.
I'm a pretty hard sell but many people aren't and there are a surprising amount of tricks and techniques used in sales.
Having spent some time in a sales related industry, the people who tend to thrive are money orientated and competitive who like the challenge of targets and often the nicer things in life.
It can also be difficult if someone has very ethical views on sales (depending on the company) with the push to sell, now, not only cars but finance and warranties and insurance policies and all sorts with them.
Forcing a sale through by being pushy with say someone elderly who may not have any idea about what they are getting themselves into with finance etc... may be hard to stomach but to some places, a sale is a sale.
Sales can be a difficult place to be if you have strong morals (again, depending on the place) - I for one am not made for sales in that sense but I know people who absolutely thrive on it.
I'm always quite amazed at the length some will go to to try and get a sale. I remember going with a friend who was looking once and I got a ridiculously hard sell from one of the guys trying to persuade me to buy a car to learn to drive in (err, don't think so!) and a later time when my ex and I were looking they came out with all sorts.
I'm a pretty hard sell but many people aren't and there are a surprising amount of tricks and techniques used in sales.
Having spent some time in a sales related industry, the people who tend to thrive are money orientated and competitive who like the challenge of targets and often the nicer things in life.
It can also be difficult if someone has very ethical views on sales (depending on the company) with the push to sell, now, not only cars but finance and warranties and insurance policies and all sorts with them.
Forcing a sale through by being pushy with say someone elderly who may not have any idea about what they are getting themselves into with finance etc... may be hard to stomach but to some places, a sale is a sale.
Sales can be a difficult place to be if you have strong morals (again, depending on the place) - I for one am not made for sales in that sense but I know people who absolutely thrive on it.
Try these interview tips from Payscale.com - http://
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