I hear this question all the time “How Do I Become a Car Salesman“. So many people want to know how to be a car salesman, but they are uniformed about what it takes to sell cars for a living. The key phrase there was “for a living”. Becoming a car salesman is not complicated.
Anyone Can Learn How To Become a Good Car Salesman
Just about anyone with a pulse can learn how to be a car salesman or car sales woman (just kidding), but sometimes it seems like that is the only requirement. Incidentally you don’t need a college education to sell cars, your most important attribute is your attitude. I have seen so many new sales people go through training and then hit the sales floor only to have them quit in the first thirty days. The ones that last longer than thirty days rarely make it ninety days. The ones that do last are people that have sold cars before or had some type of sales experience in a closely related field. Don’t get me wrong there is that one newbie every once in a while that catches on and becomes a car salesman that never had any sales experience.
Do You Really Want to Become a Car Salesman
It’s true that a career in car sales is not a physically demanding job, although some complain about the car salesman hours. You can earn a six figure income, dress in nice clothes, talk to different kinds of people and never break a sweat. Sounds like a dream job, right? You may want to know how to become a car salesman, but that is not enough. As I mentioned earlier, almost anyone can become a car salesman. If you are going to make a living selling cars you need to be a successful car salesman that has a goal of being a great car salesman.
Requirements to Become a Good Car Salesman
To become a good car salesman you need to have a mental toughness because selling cars is mentally and emotionally challenging. You need thick skin and the ability to control your thoughts, words and emotions. You need to be able to carefully choose and use your words, expressions and gestures to support the sales process and be able to change and adapt to the different customers and situations.
Do You Still Want to Know How to Become a Good Car Salesman
You will be put together, tested and tried on by customers and sales managers that will at times have you wanting to knock them out, cuss them out, throw them out or walk out yourself. Your ability to control yourself can make a huge difference in you car salesman commission and car salesman income. If you are currently a car salesman you know exactly what I am talking about because you have already had your on the job car salesman education. One of the sayings that I try to remember is: “Don’t get mad, get even by selling them a car”. Then I put on my game face and do my best to sell them a car and make a nice big front end gross. It doesn’t always work, but it does more times than it doesn’t. Sometimes being a car salesman means we just have to suck it up to sell a car.
Where Should I Apply to Become a Car Salesmen
If you still want to become a car salesman you might as where should I apply to be a car salesmen. Just pick-up the classifieds and look under the help wanted section. Check the automotive section and I am sure you will find a handful of car dealers that are looking for car salesmen. Dealerships rarely require anything more than a high school diploma because you receive a car salesman education from the dealership. The turnover in the car business is quite brisk so I am sure will find some dealers that are looking to add a car salesman or two. If you have the desire and the mental fortitude to become a car salesman then start talking to some car dealers and begin your car sales training because you can be a better car salesman and a successful car salesman. More importantly sell more cars.
I think a career in car sales is great opportunity for those that can cut the mustard and deal with the car salesman hours. Where else can you laugh and have fun doing your job yet still have the potential to make a six figure income. All jobs have their ups and downs, but car sales can be a great career choice if you have what it takes to become a successful car salesman. Just remember to give it a fair chance, it will take you a while to get used to the business and get through your initial on-the-job car salesman education. Don’t make the mistake of calling it quits before you even get started making the big money being a car salesman. I hope that will briefly answer you about how do I become a car salesman, it’s not as hard as you think. Regularly visit the website for the car salesman for thoughts on being a better car salesman and other automobile sales careers including car sales closing techniques.
Later, Fresh Up On the Lot
K.B.
P.S.
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Another good post. I posted a plug for your blog at mine. So, I think many people forget the point you are making.
Hey great advice! Keep it coming. I am a newbie to the job but so far I absolutely love it. Its no doubt a stressful job. Having a deal fall apart on you that was going to be a $500+ commission is heart wrenching to say the least. But I have been on the floor 3 weeks, sold 10 cars and made over $4000 in commissions. Not to shabby for someone who was used to making $400 a week waiting tables!
Hi Matt,
Thanks for visiting the site.
Congrats on your sales. I think we have another Car Sales professional the can make a six figure income.
Welcome to the business.
Make sure you add your name and emaill address to get notified of new posts.
K.B.
How do women fair as a car sales person? I am extremely interested in selling cars, have some sales experience (banking products). I love cars and I love working with people. This has always interested me, but my current skills are in bookkeeping, customer service and clerical duties. I have worked at a motorsports dealership as a F&I manager.
Could you share your thoughts on challenge/success situations a female may experience?
Thanks!
Hi Angi,
Thanks for stopping.
I think women have the same or better opportunities when selling cars. I am glad to hear of your interest in the car business. Your background sounds like you have broad experience in different areas that would probably be more help than you think.
However, even more important is your ability to connect with people. If you like working with people i think you have a chance to really clean up in the car business and be a great car sales woman.
A major benefit that women have when selling cars is that many people will open up quicker to a car saleswoman than a man which will help you fill their needs better.
Just remember; Two people meet and One gets sold.
Drop me an email anytime with questions or to let me know how it is going.
Good Luck
KB
Hello! I actually have an interview tomorrow at a dealership. I am a woman with some sales experience and my associates degree in Marketing. I am pretty excited about my interview but don’t really know what to expect. I am great with customer service and talking to people, but I refuse to be a high pressure sales person because I am turned off by it. Any advice on my interview and what I can expect from the job? Thanks!
Hi Michelle,
The best advice I could give for an interview would be to be yourself, don’t be intimidated by the lack of women in the world of selling cars and be enthusiastic.
Two of the most important things that a sales manager is looking for is a positive attitude and enthusiasm.
Don’t offended if they are unimpressed with your previous sales experience because car sales is different than most other sales experience. However they will train you to use their selling system.
Good luck and let me know how it goes.
KB
I’ve been a car guy my entire life since I was a little kid, always loved learning about and talking about cars. I’ve been a restaurant general manager for the last 8 years and am burnt out on the restaurant business, so I’m thinking about getting into car sales. Do you think my background will help me get my foot in the door at a dealership? I think I would do really well selling cars, as I have much experience working with all types of people.
Hello Adrian,
I doubt that a sales manager would think that your restaurant background would be a good fit, but that is not very important. They are primarily looking for drive, ambition and enthusiasm.
Your background will help you connect with people which is the most important part or selling cars for a living. I would you go for it because it is something you love. When you something that you are passionate about you stand a much better chance of being a successful car salesman.
Hey I start on the floor tomorrow, and Im pretty nervous. I have gone through a whole bunch of video training, a salesman trainer and the dealerships personal own training. I actually know the selling process then better the salesman on the floor and im bilingual. My managers think Im easily going to make a deal my first day if not more. Im bit scared of the pressure and nervous of freezing. Any advice for me?
Thank You
Welcome to the business Christopher,
Try to relax and remember that you are just talking to people and people buy from people.
Be yourself, listen closely to your customers and watch the other salesmen and learn. Sounds like you have a lot going for you, slow down and learn from your mistakes. There is something to be learned from every customer so analyze Up that you take and adjust accordingly.
Hi, I am tired of factory work! I know there is good money to be made selling cars. I really like being around people, and everyone thinks that i’m a really nice guy. My only concern is am i too old to be hired as a car salesman? I just turned 50.
Hi Joe,
Perfect, the customers will respect you more and your life experiences will help you sell more cars.
50 is not too old to start selling cars, unless think it is. 50 is a good age to start making a six figure income.
Good Luck
You can do it.
Hey there KB. I’ve been looking into becoming a car salesmen to support my family. Tired of working these dead-beat $290 a week jobs. So far my job experience includes one big box retail store which I was at for nearly 3 years(At the time I talked plenty of customers into buying things they didn’t even come in there for, or intended on buying), and had a few customers that had me drug out of the back or from the floor to ring them up…to put it simply, they didn’t want to deal with anyone else.
Other than that I was a Security Guard for a year, then worked at my most soul destroying job, a gas station, for about five months.
How do you think I’d fare in the auto sales industry?
Hi Michael,
Go for it. It is loaded with opportunity and all about connecting with the customer. The best part is that you determine how much you want to make. I have have known people with similar backgrounds that are making six figures a year.
Hi KB, I lost my job in September of 2010 and began looking for a job. I saw an ad for a local car dealership and decided what the heck what do I have loose. I have a background in restaurant management but have always wanted to be in the sale side of it. I got hired on at this dealership back in December. Have been there for a month and sold 5 cars. I ran into a problem the other day with the floor manager, wherein I had a customer that I had been working with for about two weeks and knew what he was looking for. We had just gotten some new vehicles in and they were under the canopy of the service area. I asked my floor manager if I could show one to him and he then called another salesperson over and proceed to give my customer to that salesperson. That salesperson did the exact same thing that I did with this customer as far as showing him what we had, etc. The floor manager let the other salesman take the customer out in one of the vehicles that I had asked to show the customer. What the heck? I really want to make it in this business, so can you suggest any marketing tools that I can use to get more customers besides just the walk ins that the dealership gets. The dealership works in that whoever gets the customer first, it is their customer. Thanks!
Hi Joe,
You might ask about orphan customer of sales people that have left, sometimes you can find a few gold nuggets there.
Your scenario sounds like the issue of respect that I cover in the book.
Keep pushing Joe, you can do it.
KB
Good morning. I have been interested in a career as a car salesman, and even had an interview at a dealership (but didn’t get the job).
I am one of the many laid-off I.T. guys out there and figured I would branch out into a new career, and basically re-invent myself at age 50. I have the desire and motivation to become a car salesman. I am wondering if dealers would risk taking a chance on me, given that I have zero experience and come from the I.T. industry.
Thanks for any advice you can provide.
Hi Butch,
Don’t stop because on dealerships passed on you.
Your age can give you a real advantage and many will be willing to give you a shot.
I think you should go for it. Apply as several dealers until one hires you. You will be gals you did.
Hi,
I’m 18 and I graduate from high school this year, and I want to get a full-time job as a car saleswoman. I have no prior sales experience, and my job experience includes internships in scientific research and I was a horseback riding instructor. I was wondering if I have a chance at being a car saleswoman being so young and not having prior sales experience? I have always been good at working with people, and I think I could make a good car saleswoman.
Give it a shot. You have to start somewhere.
Hi KB,
I have served 5 years in the army, had my own taxi business and now in security. iv got a job interview to be a salesman on Tuesday I just hope I don’t crumble and keep searching online what kind of questions ill get asked?
I want this job more than anything and make a career out of it. I’m only 24 and just hope my nerves don’t get the better of me!
Thanks..
Thanks for stopping Scott and Good Luck.
Sounds like you have some street smarts, you will probably do great.
Thanks got the job
Hello,
I am currently in a job that I make $45,000 a year. I am only 21 years old with a high school degree only. Many would say that 45K a year for someone my age is good but I want more. I always have the hunger for more and more money. I am currently in sales and everyone I help loves me. Here is my problem. I am very stressed at my job and want something new. I think I am worth more than my $650 dollar check a week. A friend of mine introduced me to a Honda dealership manager and he offered me a job. No salary just pure commission. I have steady bills that come in weekly. How big of a risk would it be leaving my job now and jumping into the car BUSINESS? The manager said that the location is very busy and that if I am motivated I should be able to make 6 figures my first year. This is just a very hard decision obviously risking going from steady income to all commission….what are your thoughts?
Thanks
Hi Mike,
That is a great income for a 21 year old, but wouldn’t six figures be nicer.
You weekly check won’t be the same every week on commission, but make a lot more each year sure would be nice. Right?
I am currently working and making over 50k a year as a BICSI cable technician but I always enjoyed being a salesman. I have a degree in Finance and while at school, supplemented my income by working odd sales jobs such as selling scooters, insurance, financial plans and for-ex options. I made my retirement dollars while working overseas and I always wanted to know if I can become a great car salesman. I heard stories about car salesman that would turn over my dad’s grave but I still find myself attracted to the business. What is your opinion? Do I have what it takes?
regards,
Phillip
Currently an account manager for a large beverage company. Looking to switch careers. Just worried about the economy and rising gas prices. Do you think car sales will take a plunge?
Car sales are actually on the rise and the industry predictions say it should continue to climb slowly for the next or more years.
I wish I could tell you that you have what it takes, but everyone is different. The right attitude and the desire is main thing that will ensure your success, but it is up to you.
Hi there,
I recently just bought a Brand new 2011 vw jetta and the guy who helped me was so nice. I never once felt pushed into anything and he let me drive the car for as long as I wanted. I work in sales for AT&T selling phones and home products and I make very decent money, but I’m always striving for more. It’s an hourly plus commission job. I was wondering if car sales get the same kind of thing or if it’s just commission. I’m the top sales woman in my store and have been ever since I got here and I came in not knowing a thing about cell phones so Im thinking I would be good at selling cars with the proper training. Just nervous to try as I am only 20 years old and have no background in cars. Thanks!
Lindsey
You don’t need experience to start selling cars. The money can be great and the dealer will train you. You are young enough to where you could make a great career as a car saleswoman, but it is not like selling anything else.
love the site have learned a lot already, is it better to work at a big name dealer or a small used car dealer just the same? i have a goal to open my own used dealership, and looking to get experience and sell cars also thanks.
Hey,
I was just hired to start selling cars at a pretty slow store about a week ago and was okay to start selling roughly 2 days ago. I just had my first possible sale walk out on me due to being upside down on his mortgage and couldn’t shell out for the monthly payments. Any recommendations on how to stay motivated when things like this happen?
Hi there,
I currently having a banking sales job and am required to bring in certain numbers a month which would be fine if i liked the products…i have a real fascination with cars and help all my male and female friends and coworkers buy there cars people always tell me I am very persuasive and have the gift of gab but I am scared to take the plunge of switching to an all commission job i have a new baby and also am worried about all the hours people complain about do you know if it is completely necessary to work from open to close and 6 days a week? i really want to do this career switch just nervous…some advice pleeeeasssee!!!
Hi Phylisia,
Sounds like you might do well in the car business.
Not all dealers require open to close six days a week. I only work 5 days and refuse to work six and those 5 days are not open to close. Pick a good dealership and that won’t be an issue. However it is mot unusual to work 50 hours a week.
Hi Mike,
I have always said that the first 90 days are the hardest. Just keep that it mind because you are learning with every customer you work with whether they sell or not. Keep your head in the game.
Thanks AC,
You can open your own store, many have and done quite well.
I have been in the car business for roughly 4 months and have made roughly 25 k so far.
I was a street vendor for 6 years, straight out of high school, selling tennis shoes and clothing on street corners. I made good money doing it but Memphis stopped selling permits and started giving me problems.
Anyway, all sales are the same, whether you sell cars or candy. It’s all about attitude and product knowledge.
You have to ”control” your customer in a sense that you need to know what you are doing. Little things such as walking IN FRONT of the customer when leading them to where you want them to follow you. Never ask yes or no questions and never stutter when you speak.
Don’t have a lot of time to give more advice but hope this helps someone.
Hi Mo Money
Thanks for the comments.
Great job 25K in 4 months…..You are on track to make a six figure income selling cars.
Nice
Thanks KB. I am still a green pea in the car business and most of my sales were “one whack willies” as they say. Holding on a person’s trade can really add commission and, if they argue about the worth of their trade, they are not focus on a discount anymore so it gives you more commission either way you look at it.
hey! i just got hired at a ford dealership on wedneday, and i start this monday. i had came from a job as a salesperson at family video and was actually the number one salesperson in the company (out of 65,000 people). i am not worried about my sales capability, just really about how many people actually buy cars and whether or not i will make money? and, im not sure how all the paperwork stuff is done… will i be taught thorougly how to figure all of this out? just stressing about everything! i am only a 20 year old female. haha
Published a book when I was 15, determined to make money. Got screwed on royalties but I still pushed on, buying my own books at my discount price and reselling them at book signings and going door to door. Since then I’ve worked as a sales manager at a carpet and air duct cleaning business, worked 72 hours a week traveling selling steak products door to door, been a customer sales rep at radio shack, worked factories and hauled wood, bought and resold cars on my own. Good times. My situation is, I’m unemployed and low on funds as of three days ago. Got two car dealership offers, or I can start up my own air duct cleaning business cuz I got the equipment. I could make 400 to 800 per job, however, I’ve always wanted to dive into car sales. What would you do in my situation, and what advice could you give me?
Ok hubbys a car sales man and I was looking through his phone and I see he texted some girl he sold a car to 3 months ago asking how is everything do salesman check up on customers like that? Or should I assume he is trying to make conversation? I always thought once deal was done u was good to go .
Hey, wow this article really made me want to get involved, I Once was going to be a carsales man but I never Went for it I just doubted it…But I think I’m going to look into it now!
MY buddy here is asking if carsales jobs conduct Background tests? he has a misdemeanor conviction well 2 of them. so do you think that would ex-spell him from getting a job with a car dealer in California? THANK!
Hi Kimber,
Sounds like you have the ability. Just make sure you stick it out until it gets easier and the the big money will come.
It really depends on the type of conviction and the policy of the dealership.
Sounds like you have tried everything else, you might as well sell some cars.
Follow up is a good practice for as long as it takes to keep them happy and to provide you with referrals for more customers now and in the future.
I am ready to sale cars, I have been selling all my life so cars seem easy as long as you have people to talk with that come in. If you make them your friend and let them talk people will buy.
I really need help on finding the right dealer. I am in Orange County ca so we have a ton of dealers and all styles of cars. I figure the more people that come in the more you can sale but not sure if you can make higher splits at smaller dealers so it all works out as well.
So far sounds like vw pays around $100 to $500 a car
Toyota is 20%
Nissian is 30% with 10% on the back
we also have high end $300,000 cars here as well to sale.
I am looking at making $10,000 a month
If you can hand pick the dealer you want to work at what would it be and why?
Or better yet break down the high end dealer the small dealer the big dealers into what you think splits look like.
It’s hard to talk with the dealer they say anything to get you to come on with them.
Toyota told be I would be talking with 15 up’s a day. That seems pretty high to me. Other small dealers said they sold 70 cars in the month and I was thinking I want to sell 40 cars just myself. Not sure how you could make any money at a small dealer like that.