What kind of jobs are there at car dealerships?

Question

I'm a car enthusiast. I'm graduating from college in 6 weeks with a degree in business administration, a minor in accounting, and a minor in computer science. I have 2.5 years experience working for an I.T. department doing PC troubleshooting. I'm not the kind of car enthusiast who fits the greasy-hand, missing teeth, blue collar profile. So I want another way to be around cars - a car dealership. What kind of finance and accounting positions might be a available at a car dealer? Job turnover? Possiblity of openings? Job Security? Salary? Hours? Any information you can give me? I do NOT want to be a salesman.

Answer 1

Sadly pretty much all the duties at a car dealership that will pay you what you are now worth (college education) are going to revolve around sales. Sales in a car dealership means lots of hours. I am talking tons of hours....60 in a good week. Possible positions with very little experience in this field are going to be slim. The auto sales industry is very cutthroat, you job security is going to be very weak. The pay is going to be good. The problem is you will start working in the IT department, then slowly you will see an interest in internet sales, soon the dealership will lure you in with big money, before you know it you will be making $6000.00 per month and you will be hooked.
It will become your life.

I would try to get hired on with an auto auction house somewhere. Check out this web site:

www.auctionpipeline.com

If you are dead set on working at a dealership, go local franchise. Stay away from the public national companies.

Answer 2

large, and i mean VERY large car dealerships will have positions in finance and possibly some IT jobs, but most positions at car dealerships will have some sales component to them

the great thing about car dealerships is that they are always hiring because people are always quitting or are being fired.. but that is generally more on the sales side

id go to the largest car dealerships in your area and talk to them.. they will probably initially try to talk you into sales, but they may tell you whether they have any openings in finance or accounting

job security is good as long as you are good at your job.. many jobs are salary plus commision so youll make what youre worth.. and hours could be pretty crappy.. talking about 50 hrs a week generally and every saturday, at least at first

Answer 3

You can rarely mix work with pleasure. If you do, you might end up not liking your hobby so much.

You can work in the finance department of a car dealership, it is good pay, but it takes time. I don't think anyone can give you a range of salary, it depends on the dealership and your pay goes up with more experience. You wouldn't really be working with the cars, however, unless you sell them. You could look at them on your way in...

Answer 4

I think the higher up the car the less the turnover in any department. I've seen that Mercedes and Volvo tends to have very little turn-over (meaning I have never seen resumes like that cross my desk). But Toyota and Ford and cars that are generally cheaper tend to have a higher turn-over (meaning I see lots of resumes that cross my desk).

Start off in accounting in lower level dealership, get your experience for a few years then go after the big boys with the better benefits.

Answer 5

I want to know if possible
say if you had the opportunity to get any position at a car dealership what would be the best one

Answer 6

just so you know not all mechanics fall under the missing teeth, greasy hand department you sound like a schmuck who couldnt change your own oil anyway. why dont you figure it for yourself since you sound so much smarter then us mechanics anyhow, Gomer.