How to Become A Car Salesman In South Africa

A car salesman is responsible for negotiating car prices and trade-in values with the customer.

What does a car salesman do?

A Car Salesperson, or Auto Sales Representative, is responsible for selling cars, trucks and vans for personal and commercial use. Their duties include meeting with customers to discuss their needs, promoting sales offers at their dealership and participating in test drives with interested customers.

What type of person is a car salesman?

Car salesmen tend to be predominantly enterprising individuals, which means that they are usually quite natural leaders who thrive at influencing and persuading others. They also tend to be artistic, meaning that they are creative and original and work well in a setting that allows for self-expression.

What makes a great car salesman?

While conversational skills are crucial to a car salesperson’s job, knowing when to listen (and how) is perhaps the most important quality for a successful career. This is not only useful for learning about car buyers’ wants and needs, it’s also a simple way to build rapport and credibility with potential customers.

CAREER REQUUIREMENT

Education RequiredHigh school diploma
CertificationCertification is optional
Key ResponsibilitiesMatch customers to the vehicle they seek; communicate financial aspects of purchase; promote vehicles’ features to prospective buyers
Job Growth (2018-2028)-2% decline (for all retail salespersons)*
Mean Annual Salary (2018)R 649887.62(for salespersons with automobile dealers)*

Below are steps to Become A Car Salesman In South Africa

Step 1: Gain Work Experience

While some dealers will hire a salesman with no experience, most prefer candidates to have prior experience in a sales position. Dealers want salespeople who are good communicators and have a demonstrated talent for customer service, so experience with face-to-face customer interactions is a plus.

Regardless if a salesperson has prior sales experience or not, most dealerships require their new employees to complete a training program. In the training program, you’ll learn the specifics of that dealer’s operating procedures. Other topics discussed include features of different car models and the culture of the business.

Success Tip:

Start preparing in high school. You need to have communication skills and a basic understanding of finance, so you can start by taking high school courses like economics or business foundations. You can also pick up part-time jobs that involve customer service, which can help them get comfortable meeting new people in a professional environment.

Step 2: Obtain a License

Not all states require automobile salesmen to be licensed, so you should check the requirements in the state they wish to work in. For example, automobile salespeople in California are required to pay a fee and submit an application to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Salespeople in Colorado must pass an exam and remit a bond, in addition to completing an application and paying a fee.

Step 3: Consider Postsecondary Education

After a few years of 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, so if you are hoping to advance, you may need to go to school. A bachelor’s degree in marketing usually includes courses in economics, statistics, and advertising.

Automobile salespeople who have been successful in their careers can eventually own their own dealership if they choose. Dealers with the financial means and necessary industry contacts may open a new dealership, or they can purchase an existing location and take over the operation.

Do I Need a Degree to Become a Car Salesman?

You may be able to find a job as a car salesman without a degree, but many employers require a high school diploma or the equivalent. Like other types of retail salespeople, a car salesman typically gains the skills required for his or her position through on-the-job training.

However, a college degree could potentially help you advance into a management role, especially within a large dealership. Such training may also be helpful if you would like to own your own dealership.

What Are My Degree and Training Options?

If you decide to pursue a degree, associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs are available in automotive management that can teach you how to run and market a car dealership.

Typical courses cover advertising, parts and service, sales, finance, warranties, budgeting and customer relations. 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 car salesman. You can also enroll in a training program provided by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA).

What qualifications do you need to be a car salesman In South Africa?

Qualifications for Car Salesman

Some College (preferred)

Previous automotive experience a plus.

3+ years in a sales field.

Excellent written and communication skills.

Strong interpersonal capability.

A drive to excel under pressure.

Ability to work holidays and weekends.

A valid driver’s license.

How do I start a car salesman career In South Africa?

Complete the required minimum education. Most car salespeople are required to have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent. …

Gain work experience. Many car dealerships require potential employees to have some form of experience in a sales position. …

Get licensed.

Complete training.

Is it hard to become a car salesman In South Africa?

It can take several hours to work with potential customers, getting to know them and their needs and finding the most appropriate vehicles for them to consider. A car salesperson may take customers on test drives, discuss financing and trade-in value, and then go through lengthy financial paperwork processes.

How long does it take to be a car salesman In South Africa?

You may enroll in the Salesperson Registration Course prior to finding gainful employment as an automotive salesperson. You will have 30 days to complete the lessons and final exam and the $160 fee will apply.

What other jobs can car salesman do In South Africa?

Others are less enthused by the process.

The Most Common Paths for Former Salespeople

Marketing Specialist.

Corporate Strategist.

Consultant.

Operations Manager.

Business Owner.

Retail Salesperson.

Is car salesman a good career In South Africa?

Depending on the dealership, here are some of the advantages of a career in auto sales: Almost all dealerships have excellent benefits plans. You get to determine your own income. You can easily make over R 1473000.06 in your first year selling cars (and you don’t have to be a superstar to do this.)

How do I get a sales job with no experience In South Africa?

How to get a sales job without any experience

Be willing to start at the bottom.

Study up.

Build a network.

Highlight your transferable skills.

Show them you did your homework.

Tailor your resume and cover letter.

Do you need a degree to go into sales In South Africa?

Though position requirements vary in each industry, some sales positions typically do not require a college degree. Retail sales positions are often entry-level positions that people just getting into sales cut their teeth learning the art of sales.

What kinds of skills do salespeople need In South Africa?

The Essential 11 Sales Skills Every Salesperson Needs

11 Soft Sales Skills Every Salesperson Needs.

Empathy. It’s always important to be able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes – especially as a salesperson.

Emotional intelligence.

Active listening.

Effective communication.

Confidence.

Flexibility.

Optimism.

Are sales jobs hard In South Africa?

Sales Is Not an Easy Job

Working in sales is a tough job. If you are considering a sales job, you must first understand that you will be expected to work very hard, long hours before you can earn some of the privileges of being in sales. Doing so takes hard work.