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We all have to start somewhere - but many sales roles say they need experience. So, in order to land that first role in sales you’ll have to show many of those same qualities that you’ll need to secure your first sale itself one day. Here are a few of our top tips. Prepare Just as in a real life sales situation, preparation is everything. Nothing will make a prospective employer (or customer) more likely to turn around and walk out the door than a lack of preparation. So, get on thei...

Whether you’re just about to start out in the industry, or you’ve been around for a while, there’s one thing you’ll probably have noticed already about sales: it’s an incredibly dynamic environment. Constant development Sales is an area where things change constantly, so pinning down a few clear ideas about where the industry is heading is always a tricky proposition. However there are a number of areas that are clearly growing in importance - and that are worth bea...

  In previous blogs, we’ve concentrated a lot on the various strategies we can all follow to become better salespeople - sharing just some of the best practice that we’ve picked up over the years at Big Motoring World. And while that has hopefully been useful for you, we thought that it might also be beneficial to take a quick look at some of the ways that many salespeople - even the most experienced, successful ones - can sometimes get it horribly wrong. It happens to us ...

If you’re just starting out on your career in the sales industry, then you might feel that it’s maybe a little too early to begin looking at what your next move might be. But here at Big Motoring World we’ve always been keen not just to hire the best, but to help them develop too - and we firmly believe that thinking about the different roles you might take on throughout your career is a critical part of everyone’s progression. A chance to look ahead With that in mind...

  In our last Big Motoring World Jobs blog post we covered the art of negotiation. We gave you just a few simple tips and techniques that should help you to cut a deal with a prospective customer that will benefit all parties. Negotiating a win-win is never easy, but it’s a great feeling when it comes off. The crunch But all that negotiation will come to nothing if you fail at the final hurdle - the culmination of all that give and take that comes down to the point when your prospec...

We all know body language is important – studies have shown that over half over the judgements we make about people are based on visual cues rather than verbal ones. Those kind of figures are significant, and here at Big Motoring World we’ve seen how body language can have a big impact - in a number of interesting ways. Take interviews for example. As a candidate - especially for a sales role - getting your body language right is absolutely critical. The way you come across in an in...

It’s often called the ‘art of persuasion’. We all know people who ‘just have it’ - many of them work with us here at Big Motoring World - but it’s sometimes hard to actually put your finger on what it is that makes some people more persuasive than others. The power to persuade It’s an ability that feels sometimes as if it has the hard-to-define nature of a ‘gift’. So does it come down to personality, charisma, eloquence, or just a firm grasp ...

Negotiating is an art - and can take many forms. Of course the way you negotiate a sale will depend on a lot of different factors - your own personality, your sales technique, or different customers you’re dealing with. Different situations call for different skills, but it’s fair to say that there a few key techniques you can employ in most cases to make sure you get the deal you - and your company - are after. Top tactics We’ll be looking at some great tactics for closing the...

You might think it’s an impossible question, but research carried out by the Harvard Business Review claims to be able to tell you the personality traits of a great salesperson. Asking someone who excels at selling to pinpoint why they’re so good at it is tricky. You more than likely won’t be able to get one definable answer. Perhaps the people themselves don’t know but structured research into exactly this has yielded interesting results. It seems there are various key...

You may know that your future lies in sales. You may even have found the perfect job vacancy. But the first step is always convincing a potential new boss to talk to you in the first place. Your CV is where it’s at. Think of your CV as the way to get your foot in the door so you can be selected for interviewing. So it has to be crafted for the exact role you’re applying for. Tailor your experience for every role you apply for Making sure your skills reflect the role you’re app...

The clothes make the salesperson… as the old saying sort of goes. If you figure out what kind of attire you should be wearing, you’ll create a great first impression on customers, making it easier to sell products and build your career. Here we explain how to dress for success when working in sales. Customer’s always right One of the key principles of sales is that the customer is always right, and it applies here to. It’s a good idea to take your que from your customer...

If you break into the exciting world of sales, you’ll probably be expected to meet certain sales targets, by selling so many products per week, month etc. What if you’re not managing to meet these goals? How can you change this? Start by looking at the reasons why, so you can fix any issues and be a better salesperson. Big Motoring World reveals five reasons why you’re not hitting your sales targets. Your targets aren’t clear It could just be that your targets are unclear...

If you’re lucky enough to bag a sales manager position, one of your key responsibilities will be to lead your team towards success. It’s crucial that you focus on building a winning team and once that happens, that you keep talented employees with you. Here we explain how to retain sales staff. Hire strategically Start as you mean to go on, by hiring strategically. Implement a rigorous vetting process, when taking on new staff, so you can hire people who have a solid track record fo...

Are you just starting out in sales? It can be hard to get to grips with everything the art of selling involves, so it’s wise to find someone to show you the ropes, allowing you to learn how to succeed from the best. Big Motoring World reveals how to develop a sales mentor/mentee relationship. Define your goals Begin your quest, by asking yourself one pivotal question. What do you want to get out of the mentor/mentee relationship? Are you looking for someone, for example, who can help you ...

You will have to deal with reluctant customers as a car salesperson – it’s part of the job. What separates great from average car salespeople, is that when a customer objects, they can skilfully vault these barriers and get the sale. You might want to learn how this is done, so you can get as many sales as possible and advance your career, so stay here, as we explain how to handle car sales objections. Nail your opening gambit The way you initially react can make all the difference. ...

If you make it past the interview stage, when applying for a sales job, maybe think twice before you accept the position straight away. There’s a few things you need to know first, to make sure the role’s the right fit for your life circumstances and ambitions. Big Motoring World reveals five key questions that it’s a good idea to put to your potential employer before accepting their job offer. What pay will I receive? If the company hasn’t already stated their pay policy...

If you want to work in sales, keep in mind that employers will vet you carefully, to ensure they take on professional team members. British employers are increasingly examining candidates’ social media accounts as part of this vetting process and according to the Daily Mail, a third have rejected applicants after doing so. It is crucial, therefore that you learn how to clean up your social media for job hunts. Browse statuses and comments Your social media statuses and comments give recru...

It’s critical that you draw on your customer’s desires to inform your pitching technique, so you can sell without being salesy. It’s a good idea to put queries to your prospect, so they can tell you their desires themselves, doing the leg work for you. Big Motoring World reveals five questions to ask in car sales. Hello, I’m (insert your name). What’s your name? One of the core principles of sales is that respect is critical. Establish a respectful relationship with...

It’s always a good idea, as a budding salesperson, to try to refine selling technique, so you can make more deals. Big Motoring World looks at five ways you can increase your sales volumes in 2017. Increase hours Looking at the habits of top salespeople can be a really good way to improve your selling method, because they clearly know how to strike a lot of deals! Note that many of the best in the industry work all the hours they can, never missing an opportunity to sell products. In a po...

It’s key to build relationships with customers, when working as a salesperson, to develop the good will needed to execute deals. But if you have to say no to a customer, you could anger them, damaging the relationship. Big Motoring World explains how to say no to a customer in a positive way. Always be polite Likeability is a core characteristic of good salespeople, as consumers are more receptive to people they like. To maintain this likeability, be polite when saying no. Adopt a soft, f...

If you’re looking to break into sales with no experience, it’s wise to look into what it takes to become a successful salesperson. Big Motoring World asks: do you need qualifications to work in sales? Basic requirements There are no set requirements, in terms of qualifications, for becoming a salesperson. However, sales can be a demanding industry. For example, the core duties of car salespeople range from product research and conducting test drives, to selling cars and arranging fi...

It is crucial that you form good relationships with customers, when working in sales, to position yourself as a trusted source of buying advice. But you should avoid being too ‘salesy’ (basically pushy), as you may frighten consumers away. Big Motoring World explains how to sell without being salesy. Be really likeable We should note that likeability is one of the key characteristics of good salespeople. You shouldn’t forget that selling is about persuading people to spend mone...

There are some fundamental truths that you should always keep in mind, whichever type of sales you work in, to succeed. Big Motoring World reveals five key sales principles to always remember. Listening is key Some salespeople make the mistake of talking too much. If consumers want a full breakdown of your services, they can just visit your company’s website. It’s more important to listen, so you can determine how to tailor your sales pitch to the customer. Forbes suggests that as a...

If you’re looking to break into sales without experience, firms will want to determine whether you have the necessary skills, before giving you the job. They may ask invite you for a trial day, asking you to conduct basic tasks. Big Motoring World explains how to impress employers in a job trial. Prepare beforehand To impress an interview, you would prepare beforehand, to demonstrate your understanding of sales fundamentals and your knowledge of the company. Take the same approach before s...

If you want to become a good salesperson, driving your career forward, you should look at the industry’s most successful sellers, so you can learn how to execute really lucrative deals. Drawing on recent research, Big Motoring World asks: what are the top habits of successful salespeople? Focus on selling Salesforce recently released their 2016 State of Sales report, where they polled 280 salespeople. According to Yahoo, they found that more business buyers now think that it’s &ldqu...

It’s key that you strive to build your confidence when working in sales, so you can persuade consumers to trust your advice. You may want to find ways to collect reviews from your buyers, so you can assess what you’re doing right and where you’re going wrong, allowing you to become a more confident salesperson. Big Motoring World explains how to gather customer feedback. Who is your customer? First, who are your customers? How old are they? Do they use review sites?  Do th...

A car salesperson’s core duties involve executing sales and arranging financing. To handle these tasks effectively, you’ll need to develop good negotiation skills, so you maintain a buyer’s interest while earning high profit margins. Big Motoring World explains how to negotiate when working in sales. Strike the right tone The tone you strike when negotiating car sales can make the difference between a successful deal and failure. We would advise you to adopt a light, pleasant ...

If you are promoted to car sales manager, you will be required to ensure that the team you lead reaches its sales targets. In order to prepare for this role, it is wise to look at how you can help your salespeople get more out of their time. Big Motoring World explains how to increase your sales team's productivity. Recruit talent Your drive to improve team productivity begins when you hire new members. If you take on a talented salesperson who fits into the company, their excellence will suppo...

When looking to break into sales without experience, start by writing a winning CV. With this document, you can show employers that you have transferable skills, persuading them to hire you for sales roles. But firms receive so many CVs, that they'll disregard those with the smallest mistakes, so yours must be perfect . Big Motoring World reveals five mistakes you must avoid when writing your CV. Basic mistakes Let's start with the basics. Avoid making spelling and grammar mistakes, as firms ha...

Should you get promoted to sales manager, you can progress your career and increase your earning power. However, it is vital that you familiarise yourself with what this job will entail ahead of time, in order to succeed in the role. Big Motoring World reveals five things all aspiring sales managers should know. Job description As a sales manager, your job description will change. Your key responsibilities will include setting sales targets and devising sales strategies, so you will play a large...

As a salesperson, your key duties will run from showing cars and executing deals to arranging financing. With so much to do daily, you will need to develop excellent time management skills to succeed in this industry. Big Motoring World reveals how to manage your time when working in sales. Plan your days Entrepreneurial advice portal Forbes advises you to take 30 minutes every morning to plan your working day. With this strategy, you’ll be able to ensure that you complete your most import...

It’s key that you learn how to interview for a sales job to become a salesperson.  At some point, you may be asked to reveal your weaknesses and this can prove very difficult to get right. To help you with this tricky subject, Big Motoring World reveals how to identify your biggest weaknesses in interviews. Important question Nobody likes the “what is your biggest weakness” question, but it serves a vital purpose. It tests your self-awareness, analytical skills and ability...

Confidence is one of the core characteristics of good salespeople. You need confidence to assure consumers that they need to buy a car from you, but putting yourself on the line everyday can be nerve-racking. Big Motoring World explains how to build up your confidence as a salesperson. Find your positivity Positivity and confidence are inextricably linked. Adopt a positive outlook on life, so you have the mind-set needed to ensure nothing stands in your way. Use words that evoke strength and suc...

If you have just started a new sales job, it’s key that you make a good first impression on your colleagues, so you can earn the respect needed to become a valuable team member. Big Motoring World explains how to make a good first impression at work. Conduct extensive research To survive your first year in sales, you need to know your product, as well as the firm you work for, inside out, so you can execute profitable deals. Hit the ground running and conduct extensive research before your...

If you get promoted to sales manager, your day-to-day working schedule will be extensive. It is key that you acquaint yourself with the managerial tasks involved in taking this position, to succeed. Big Motoring World Lists five of the key responsibilities for car sales managers. Set sales targets Your over-arching goal will be to give your team the support they need to sell more cars. Therefore, you will constantly need to establish sales targets for your employees to reach, incentivising them ...

Once you break into sales, you can access some amazing career progression opportunities. If you work here at Big Motoring World, for instance, you could eventually graduate from customer consultant to sales manager. Keep reading to learn how to get promoted to sales manager. Learn the basics Familiarise yourself with the basics of sales, before you start thinking about becoming a manager. We would advise you to conduct some research on the key duties of car salespeople, from basic selling and mo...