I'm about to start my very first sales job at a car dealership. I haven't done this before, and I'm so scared I'm going to be thrown into the deep end of the pool. There has been no specific information about any training, but when I asked, they said, "Yes, you will be given the time to learn the ropes". Is that the same as being trained? How did it go for you?

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If you were hired for a job you don't know how to do, maybe you should talk to the person who hired you. There would have to be some training I would think, it's hard to imagine any reputable business wants someone dealing with the public if they have no idea what they're doing. Just show up and ask to be trained and take it from there, that's probably the best approach.

It depends on the dealership. If you've applied at a tiny dealership you'll shadow a salesman and they'll teach you the ropes. If you've been hired at a large dealer (Chevrolet/Ford/Dodge, etc) they all have their individual training based on the dealership & whether or not they're part of a "group" meaning a large corporate company that owns several dealers. Sometimes you're given a set of videos to watch like Grant Cardone, or one of the other gurus. Most of the time you're put into a training class or have manufacturer specific information you have to learn on your own through training packages provided by the dealer. If you're at a large dealership, you will be required to learn every model & their optional trim packages. It's a lot, but trust me its worth learning. You could easily miss a sale because a customer is looking for a specific item on a vehicle and you look silly because you don't know it. Also, car sales is a Dog Eat Dog World, there are a ton of snakes in the grass. When you actually start selling, always approach every customer as if no one has contacted them. When they arrive at the dealership, be the first one to shake their hand and greet them but don't hover. You'll learn quick if you have a sales bone in your body, if you do - make "friends" with a crew of sales associates & do eachother favors but never let a single one of them take an inch, or you're out. Good luck!

“Being given ‘time to learn the ropes’” usually means informal on-the-job learning rather than organized training. You’ll likely shadow experienced colleagues, pick up tactics by observing, and learn through doing rather than structured classes, it can feel daunting, but it’s actually how many in sales get started and build confidence through experience.

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