This article is part 1 of a 2-part series highlighting the struggles of hiring employees at a car dealership. This article will focus on the differences between hiring employees at a car dealership compared to hiring at any other business. The second article in this series (found in my list of published blogs) will highlight how to find new potential hires for a car dealership.

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If you are in charge of hiring at your dealership, then you have a lot on your plate. However, it doesn't have to be hard. If you understand the key ways in which hiring is different at a car dealership then you can adopt the right tools and strategies to be more successful. That way you new hires are a perfect fit for your company.

Attitude

The first thing about the car dealership industry is that you have to hire for people with the best attitudes around. Attitude is the number one factor in a great salesperson and if they don't have it, they are not going to contribute to your company.

To find people with the right attitude for your business, you need to be able to see how they react to certain situations. In addition, the kinds of words they use and thoughts they have will show you if they have a negative attitude or positive attitude. Customers want a positive experience when they are buying a car, so make sure each new hire passes this test.

Experience

When it comes to car dealerships, experience is always a plus. If you have someone who has been selling cars for years it is going to be an advantage much of the time. However, what is unique is that sometimes someone with no experience is actually a plus.

If a candidate is coming in with the motivation to learn a new skill this can be a great way to boost your company. They will work harder and longer than others. It also means that they have not built bad habits yet from other places that might not have the same high standards that your dealership has.

Organization Skills

When it comes to cars, there is a lot of information to keep track of. You need people with great organizational skills. This way, they know which make, model, and year the cars are and how to present them to your customers in the best way possible.

People Skills

Even if the people you are hiring at your dealership are not going to be talking with customers that much, they need great people skills. Everyone that the customer comes into contact with will leave an impression in their minds. So the service departments needs great customer service skills just like any other department in the store.

Entitlement

You can't afford people who are entitled in the car business. There is too much competition and the margins are too thin. You need people that understand how their job is evaluated. Performance based mindsets are valuable in an industry with so much at stake everyday. It helps you keep your team in check, even if they don't feel like it on that particular day.

Technology

Using technology is the way to set yourself apart in the hiring process. From fielding applicants online, to using applicant tracking systems, to finding them on social media, it will give you a huge edge. However, be sure not to go overboard. You are not always going to find that next hire online. Sometimes, you need to roll your sleeves up and go looking for them out in the real world.

Leadership

At a car dealership, the hiring process doesn't stop once you bring someone on board with a salary. It is always ongoing. You need to have solid leadership to train your new hires in the right strategies and approaches. That way they continue to produce for you right away and well after.

When it comes to hiring at a car dealership, it is one of the more stressful positions. After all, you need candidates that are hard working, great with people, and know how to sell. If you use the tips above then you can get the best people in the door and build your brand even bigger than it is now. That way your position and your company are secure for the long term.