“The elevator to success is out of order. You'll have to use the stairs... one step at a time.” ― Joe Girard

Being a car sales professional can be an exciting job with flexible hours and good pay opportunities. The job has both pros and cons and can be an excellent career for anyone with sales skills or who is pursuing an entry-level sales job. Understanding the pros and cons of being a car salesperson can help you decide if this career path is the right choice for you.In this article, we'll review some important credentials for a car salesperson and explore 30 pros and cons of the job.

What are the career requirements for car sales?

Car sales professionals bring a variety of skills and knowledge to the job. Since car salespeople typically work with the public, they can have a mix of strong interpersonal skills, sales skills and self-management skills. Here are some typical career requirements for a car salesperson:

• A valid driver's license: Car salespeople often need to move vehicles around the sales premises, so they usually require a valid driver's license.
• High school diploma: Nearly all car salespeople have at least a high school diploma, GED or other high school equivalent certification.
• Sales experience: Some car sales positions are entry-level, while others require experience in a sales environment.
• College studies: Some car salespeople have associate's or bachelor's degrees in sales, finance or other related fields.
• Strong interpersonal skills: Car sales professionals work with the public, which means strong interpersonal skills like verbal and non-verbal communication, listening skills and persuasion skills can be helpful.
• Vehicle knowledge: Car salespeople will generally have a robust understanding of the features and capabilities of the vehicles they sell to customers, allowing them to portray each vehicle accurately and positively to influence a sales decision.

Related: Car Sales Executive Skills

30 pros and cons of being a car salesperson

Understanding the pros and cons of being a car salesperson provides a balanced summary of the job's requirements and things you may enjoy about the position. Here is a list of 30 pros and cons of the job:

Pros

Pros are things you may like about being a care salesperson. Here are 15 pros of being a car sales professional:

1. You can work with people. Being a car salesperson allows you to spend your days working closely with other people, both customers and your sales team. This can be a good position for outgoing or people-oriented professionals looking for fast-paced work.
2. You can earn commission. Many car sales positions offer commission bonuses on every sale, increasing your income. This can be a great opportunity for people new to sales or looking to boost their earnings.
3. You don't necessarily need college: Many car salespeople choose not to obtain a college degree. This career path can help you avoid acquiring student loan debt.
4. You can work flexible hours. Many car sales positions offer flexible hours, so you can better plan your personal life around your work. Some positions offer remote work as an alternative to working the sales floor.
5. You can get vehicle discounts. Some vehicle dealerships offer premium discounts for company employees. This could help save you money on a vehicle for yourself or your family.
6. You can work mostly indoors. Being a car salesperson typically requires you to spend some time indoors in a temperature-controlled salesroom. You might also spend some time outside to show customers which vehicles that meet their needs.
7. You may be able to take weekends off. While some car sales professionals might work weekends because there are typically more customers present, you may be able to take some weekends off from work and make more time for personal projects.
8. You can build teamwork skills. Working as a car salesperson typically requires you to work as part of a team, which can help you build important teamwork skills that can benefit both work and personal life.
9. You can get good benefits. Full-time car salespeople typically have access to good benefits packages through their employers, which might include health insurance, life insurance and paid time off.
10. You can learn about cars. Car salespeople work with the latest vehicle models, providing in-depth knowledge about features, competitive advantages of certain models and which models provide the best value.
11. You can learn skills to start your own business. Some car sales professionals use the skills they learn at car dealerships to start their own dealerships, increasing their earning potential.
12. You can stay active. Being a car sales professional typically requires walking through the showroom, getting paperwork and moving around the lot, reducing the hours you might otherwise spend at a desk.
13. You have minimal physical requirements. Most car sales positions don't require heavy lifting or manual labor, which can save you the effort and prevent potential injuries from heavy physical activity.
14. You can drive luxury cars. Depending on where you work, you may be able to drive the latest car models and expensive or rare vehicles, which can be a great appeal for people who enjoy cars.
15. You can increase your salesmanship. Working as a car salesperson is a great way to increase your salesmanship and elevate your skills to potentially pursue higher-paying sales jobs in other industries.

Related: Top 40 Car Sales Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Cons

Cons are things about the job you might dislike, but that have potential solutions. Here are 15 cons of being a car salesperson:

1. You may receive lower pay if you don't make a sale. One of the most common cons for car salespeople is that their pay typically depends on making a sale. Increasing your sales skills can help ensure you make at least one sale each day.
2. Your salary may depend on your sales. Car salespeople who can make multiple sales each day typically earn a higher salary than entry-level or less skilled sales professionals. Education, experience and training can help you increase your skills to earn the highest possible salary.
3. You may have few advancement opportunities. The career path for a car salesperson typically includes minimal opportunities for advancement, but you can pursue other jobs in the automotive industry or a management position at the dealership.
4. Your skills may not transfer easily to different industries. Even though you're working a sales position, car sales requires specific knowledge that may not transfer easily if you choose a different industry, but you can focus on more universal sales skills to make yourself more competitive.
5. You may work with difficult people. You may encounter difficult customers as a car sales professional. You can focus on learning conflict resolution skills and problem-solving techniques to handle difficult situations.
6. You may experience burnout. Burnout is a phenomenon that occurs when you work the same job for several years. You may experience burnout as a car salesperson but can work at different dealerships or automotive positions to create a different experience.
7. You may receive minimal commission on some sales. Some car salespeople produce a smaller commission bonus or flat fee, which can affect your earnings. Focusing on upselling and other techniques can help prevent minimal commissions and boost earnings.
8. You may have no customers some days. Some days might end with no customers entering the dealership. This can be a good time to research vehicles or features or increase your skills and knowledge through online training modules or books.
9. The environment can be fast-paced. During certain times of the year, the sales environment might be very fast-paced. You can focus on stress management and taking adequate breaks to avoid burnout or excess stress.
10. You may experience disappointment. Sometimes, customers might make promises to return to buy a car or put a certain amount of money towards a vehicle and fail to uphold their promise. Understanding that these aren't personal attacks on you as a person can help you navigate such situations.
11. You're required to maintain a friendly attitude constantly. Even if you're having a tough day, it's important to maintain a positive attitude for customers. You can take breaks and time off if you're feeling upset or too stressed.
12. You typically learn negotiation skills through experience. While you can learn how to negotiate through training modules or books, experience typically increases this skill. This might take a long time to master but ultimately makes for a more successful and lucrative career.
13. You might work extra hours. While many dealerships offer flexible scheduling, some require extra hours or holiday work. You can focus on scheduling personal time with your benefits if it becomes a challenge.
14. Job growth can vary in the industry. Car sales often depend on things like fuel prices, parts costs and maintenance costs, which can fluctuate in response to economic factors.
15. Your region can affect your salary. Some regions affect car sales professional salaries negatively, depending on the demand for vehicles in the area.

Car salesperson salary

The average annual salary for a car salesperson in the United States is around $82,619 per year. Commission bonuses typically account for a large percentage of the salesperson's earnings and can boost or hinder personal income. Greater experience in the industry might also boost your earnings, as you learn more about how the sales process works and what customers expect.Read more: How to Become a Car Salesperson

Employment & Career

What do you think is the best personality trait for a car salesperson to have?