According to Accenture, a survey of 10,000 car buyers shows the average consumer spends between 13 and 15 hours shopping before writing a check. So, car salesmen spend many hours standing to make sure customers have all their buying questions answered. Hence, a car salesman is a key to closing any automobile deal. So, in this post, I’d guide you on all you need to know about how to become a better car salesman even as a beginner. And yes, this requires some training.
Who is a Car Salesman?
A car salesman also known as an automobile salesperson is a professional who explains the features of vehicles to potential customers and helps them find a vehicle that meets their taste and criteria. Also, a top car salesperson should be able to best answer any questions customers may have. Hence, they need to know the ins and outs of any of their available car products to sell the benefits well to the customer.
What does a Car Salesman do?
A car salesman may have different roles that they perform for car dealerships. So, they can function as the following: Also, you can become a salesperson at a used car dealership that sells previously owned or leased vehicles. There is so much more to being a great car salesman than you can imagine. So, if you want to become a salesman for any today, it’s a no-brainer!
How Long Does it take to become a Car Salesman?
One of the best advantages of becoming a salesman is that you don’t necessarily need to have a bachelors’ degree to start the career. But, a high school diploma or its equivalent can be an added plus to get a good job at a good car dealership. A salesperson typically acquires the relevant skills required for his position through on-the-job training at the car dealership. So how long it’s going to take you before you become a top car salesman is dependent on your expectations and what you want. But on average it takes just a few months to years. Honestly, it is possible to become a good salesperson for any car with no experience.
What do you need to become a better Car Salesperson?
If you must be a better car salesperson, there are some basic requirements you must meet to really make headway. We are going to consider these requirements under the following three headings:
Education
Generally what you require to start out as a car salesman in a good dealership is basically your high school diploma certificate or an equivalent. So, you can prepare while high school by taking courses in economics and business foundations to develop a basic understanding of finance. Also, getting a part-time job as a salesman in a used car dealership can help you to hone your communication skills. After a few years of working experience, you may have the opportunity to advance to a management position. Sales managers usually have a bachelor’s degree in a field such as marketing.
Training
Car Salespeople usually get their training on the job, and it takes a few months to years to become a top salesman. Additionally, certificate programs and individual courses in automotive sales are available from some technical and community colleges that could help you prepare for a career as a salesman. You can also enroll in a training program provided by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). They have an academy that offers six different programs for dealership operations. They also include programs for prospective dealers, heavy-duty truck dealers, and department managers.
Skill
A good salesman needs to be detail-oriented when identifying features of a car model he intends to sell to the customer. Furthermore, to become a great car salesperson, you would need top-notch customer service skills to be able to relate with your clients and to be able to tackle problems they face in their buying journey. Generally, to ensure you always give customers a seamless buying experience, you need the following tips:
How much can You Make as a Car Salesman?
Having an idea of how much you would likely earn as a car salesperson before you dive into it is not bad at all. There is really so much a good car salesman can make depending on the dealership he finds himself. However, the average salary for a car salesman in the United States is around $35,420 per year. According to Payscale, car salesmen make $10.05 hourly with a yearly bonus of over $7000.
Steps To Become A Car Salesperson
There are different ways to develop into a better car salesperson. But, here are some recommended steps you can take to become great at this sales profession.
#1 Get A Degree
To start this profession, you might not need a high school diploma. But it’s important to get this diploma and further to get a college degree if you want to grow to become a better salesperson in a car dealership. Also, with a college degree, you can grow to the management level and get a better knowledge of sales and business.
#2 Build Your Portfolio
You might not regard this while starting out, but having a previous sales experience boosts your skills as a salesperson. Furthermore, experience in working face-to-face with customers will help you develop in your customer service role. So, this is considered a plus while applying for this profession. Notwithstanding, some car dealerships will provide training programs for you to know how to sell their cars effectively.
#3 Get a License
Some states require that automobile salespeople to get a license. So it really depends on the state you find yourself. In California, for instance, you must pay a fee and apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles to get your license to sell cars. You may be able to find a job as a salesman with no degree and no experience. However, a high school diploma or the equivalent will give you added advantages in getting a job in a good car dealership.Also, a college degree could potentially help you advance into a management level. The average salary for a car salesman in the United States is around $35,420 per year.However, some car salespeople don’t make much. It all depends on how much effort you put into selling cars. Bonuses can go up to about $7000. Getting a license to sell cars strongly depends on the state you are operating in.Most times, a car dealership that hires you can provide you with details on how to get a license to be a car salesman. Your wage is based on how much the customer is able to buy the car they are selling. So, most commission-based sales jobs can be very stressful. Depending on the state you are located in and the kind of car you sell, the application fee is around $200.
Conclusion
Generally, with an education degree or certification, a good portfolio and license you are a fully ready to rock it as a top car salesperson. An average sales person make about $35,000 yearly with bonuses of about $7,000.
