Technology is always evolving, and one of the industries that consistently pushes the boundaries of innovation is the automotive industry. When it comes to careers in the industry, however, there are various misconceptions that shine a negative light on them. In many cases, when people hear the phrase “retail automotive industry,” they think of desperate salespeople with a poor work-life balance and lackluster benefits standing in a showroom hoping customers come in and help them reach their quotas. In reality, however, this is far from the truth, and careers in the industry can be extremely fulfilling.
Of course, sales representatives and customer service representatives play a huge role in the industry, as they interact directly with customers to understand what they are looking for and provide them with the information they need. Dealership managers are also extremely important as their effectiveness heavily influences the overall success of a dealership.
Finance and insurance managers are extremely skilled professionals who can provide customers with a comprehensive overview of their options and draw up agreed-upon contracts. Marketing and advertising experts also contribute greatly to the automotive retail industry, as they use a wide variety of channels such as public relations and social media to draw in more customers.
Service technicians can also have extremely rewarding careers as they are able to problem-solve and assist customers with repairs and maintenance. Similarly, parts and accessories specialists are able to recommend, order, and provide customers with any vehicle components they may need or want.
Ultimately, there is no shortage of great job opportunities in the auto industry, and the following five reasons are grounds for someone to want to work in it.
Advancement Opportunities
While everyone has varying objectives for their career path, most want to progress within their industry. Many positions in the auto industry allow for advancements into leadership roles, such as rookie salespeople working their way up to sales managers or service technicians eventually overseeing the entire service and parts department.
Retail automotive employees can seek certifications in certain areas, such as a marketing manager taking professional courses to become specialized in the digital marketing field. It is also possible for retail automotive industry professionals to make cross-department transitions if they wish to do so, such as a salesperson moving into an F&I role. There are also a lot of opportunities for networking within the industry, and making connections may help professionals find new roles that they would like to pursue.
Learning and Skill Development
The retail automotive industry is always changing as factors like consumer desires and market conditions vary, so auto professionals are wise to learn about the latest updates, trends, and skills related to the industry. Luckily, there are a lot of available ways to do so including programs like manufacturer and dealership training programs. These programs provide information on the latest products and add-ons as well as helpful tips regarding sales techniques, F&I processes, communication and negotiation, and maximizing customer satisfaction.
Professional development courses are also offered from various organizations such as institutes of technology that provide similar knowledge as manufacturer and dealership training programs as well as teach about new technologies and digital skills. Certain schools even offer degrees in automotive technology that may interest current or future industry professionals. In addition, many dealerships offer mentorships in which newer employees can work alongside professionals who have extensive experience and can provide insight and advice into day-to-day and long-term operations.
Technological Advancements
The retail automotive industry is a very high-tech work environment that is attractive for those wanting to learn about the latest cutting-edge technologies. This includes, but is definitely not limited to, advances in electric/hybrid technologies as well as autonomous driving capabilities, improved safety updates, and other available technologies such as connected car technologies. Experience and knowledge with the latest technological advancements can also open up other opportunities for professionals such as careers in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Customer relationship management (CRM) software is always being improved and those in the retail automotive industry must keep up with the advancements as this software is crucial to a dealership’s operations. Being informed on how to use these advancements can allow for better customer engagement and ultimately higher sales success.
Overall, working hands-on with these new developments can keep automotive professionals in-the-know and ahead of the curve.
Job Security
There has been some chatter about dealerships becoming obsolete, but the truth is that there is still a high number of careers in the retail automotive industry that allow for solid job security. People have been keeping their vehicles longer than they used to, but at some point all vehicles have to be replaced meaning there will always be customers looking for new cars. Of course, maintenance and repairs will also always need to be carried out.
While some car shoppers are enjoying transactions that include minimal interaction and some automakers have explored eliminating the need for dealerships, many consumers still prefer to speak with an industry professional directly to get the information they desire. Dealerships have proven to be adaptable for many years now, meaning most can remain relevant in their markets despite any big changes in the industry (e.g., the switch to electric vehicles).
Ultimately, as long as consumers continue to need vehicles, the retail automotive industry will provide job security to auto professionals.
Competitive Wages and Benefits
The retail automotive industry not only offers competitive wages and benefits to attract new hires, but also works to retain them. Of course, base salaries vary greatly based on the role an individual is in and other factors such as dealership location and size, but the belief that people cannot make a good living in the auto industry is completely unfounded. Many roles within the industry have performance-based incentives or commission, meaning professionals have opportunities to make great bonuses and celebrate achievements. Furthermore, many dealerships offer employee recognition programs that can boost employee motivation and engagement.
Most individuals in the retail automotive industry are also given attractive benefits packages, which include offerings like health and life insurance, retirement plans, vacation time, and employee discounts. As mentioned above, many automotive professionals also have the option to enroll in training and professional development which can further their careers even more.
Conclusion
Ultimately, there are many reasons to work in the retail automotive industry. Professionals in the industry are able to make a good living while getting exposure to different departments and having the chance to advance in their departments or transition to other ones. There are also countless opportunities for learning new technologies and skills while interacting with a diverse range of customers and other industry professionals. The auto industry is a very rewarding one to work in and it is great for people looking for a job that will allow them to advance their careers while continuously learning new things.