Sales Associates are responsible for making customers feel welcome and supported through the car-purchasing process. The responsibilities of a car salesperson will vary, but usually include the following tasks:
Requirements
Exceptional customer service skills, including interpersonal communication and rapport building
In-depth knowledge of the dealership's vehicles, finance options and sales process
Intuition to anticipate which cars will appeal to different customers
Active listening to best determine a customer's wants and needs
Persuasiveness to convince customers to make a purchase
Confidence to create a positive impression on customers
Negotiation skills to offer deals that satisfy customers while ensuring profit for the dealership
Organization and time management to handle many different customers, including past customers, at once
Teamwork and collaboration skills to coordinate sales with the financing department and/or other Salespeople
A welcoming and friendly demeanor
Knowledge and passion for vehicles
Responsibilities
Greet customers arriving at the dealership
Showcase the dealership's vehicles and explain their features and warranties to customers
Answer customer questions about cars, financing and purchase process
Accompany customers on test drives, collecting licenses and documentation beforehand per best practices
Negotiate car prices and trade-in values for customers' vehicles
Coordinate with the finance department to determine each customer's financing and ownership options
Contact past customers to ensure they are satisfied with their vehicles