If you have your sights set on moving up the ladder at your dealership, you’re among many other salespeople and service staff. Whether you’d like to earn a higher income, enjoy increased responsibility, or become a leader at your store, career advancement is often the main goal behind the reasons.

No matter where you are on your current career path, there are several ways you can begin to prepare for career growth now—especially in the competitive and ever-evolving automotive industry. Here are six keys to career advancement to help you develop and dive into your career growth plan.

How to Advance Your Career in the Auto Industry 

1. Master Your Current Role

Whether you’re in sales, service, finance, or another department, strive to be the best at what you do. Learn everything you can about your specific role and aim to become an expert in your field. As you go above and beyond your daily duties, you’ll exceed expectations and open up opportunities to improve efficiency, provide exceptional customer service, or take on additional responsibilities.

Be sure to keep a record of your accomplishments, positive customer reviews, and any awards or recognition you receive. This will be valuable evidence when advocating for your career advancement.

2. Hone Your Sales and Communication Skills

Even if you’re not directly in sales, understanding the sales process and building strong communication skills will benefit your career growth. Practice active listening, asking insightful questions and tailoring your approach to different customer personalities. Work to become a product expert, that way you’re able to answer customer questions confidently and highlight features that meet their specific needs.

In any industry role, effective communication is key. Develop both your verbal and written communication skills to build rapport with colleagues and customers, clearly convey information, and negotiate effectively.

3. Network and Build Relationships

Build strong relationships with your team members, managers, and other departments. Offer constructive feedback (rather than complaints), collaborate effectively, and demonstrate a positive team spirit. By participating in dealership events, training opportunities, and industry associations, you’ll expand your network, gain new skills, and stay informed about industry trends.

With your customers, go the extra mile to provide excellent customer service and build rapport. Returning customers who trust and respect you can become valuable advocates for your career advancement.

4. Show Your Initiative and Leadership Potential

Don’t wait to dive into the tasks at hand. Look for ways to improve processes, identify problems, and propose solutions. Take initiative on projects and demonstrate a willingness to go above and beyond. When you take on leadership roles in projects, mentor new employees, and share your knowledge with others, this helps showcase your ability to lead and inspire others.

As you develop your career growth plan, express your aspirations with your manager. Ask for feedback on your performance and areas for improvement. Show them you are committed to your professional development.

5. Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends

In the automotive industry, being adaptable is crucial. By staying informed about the latest trends in the industry, whether new technology or customer preferences, you’ll be able to offer valuable insights to your team. If there are any training programs or workshops offered by your dealership or industry organizations, take advantage of these to develop your skills and knowledge base.

Get connected with other professionals in the car dealership industry to learn from their experiences and gain insights into career advancement opportunities.

6. Be Patient, Persistent, and Flexible

Figuring out how to advance your career takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Stay focused, continue to develop your skills, and demonstrate your value to your dealership.

In addition, don’t be afraid to leave a job that isn’t providing what you want. Change isn’t always easy, and it’s often more comforting (in the short run) to continue on an easy career path leading you nowhere. However, you’ll be better in the long run by taking the more challenging career path that leads you to success.

Your Career Path Starts Here

A career at a car dealership can be exciting and daunting. By following these career advancement guideposts and staying committed to your professional development, you can increase your chances of success in the automotive industry.

Whether you’re in search of new technology to implement at your store or have questions about career development, feel free to contact our experts. We’re here to help.