Advice for getting a job

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sk8ingsmurf

Copper - Posts: 198

Joined: March 18, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: September 20, 2004 at 10:21 PM / IP Logged

Ok so Ive been on this forum for a while and Ive been into car audio for longer. Ive been hanging around my local shop for a little over a year now and my friend who is the manager there just recommended I go talk to the guy that does all of the hiring. Im no genius with this stuff but around here there dont seem to be any EXTREMELY knowledgable people that dont already have jobs there. My friend (the manager) really thinks I have what it takes, his only advice was to just go in there with confidence and basically tell the hiring manager "I bet I have more product knowledge than anyone you have hired in the last 6 months, if you dont believe me just test me", not quite my style but hey I can trust him. I know some of the people on here are some of the best in the nation and I really value everyone's opinion, I was wondering if you guys could give me a few tips and pointers on what I should brush up on and try to do before going in to interview (its for retail sales not installation).

Thanks a lot guys,

Jeff

Chad7n7

Silver - Posts: 408

Joined: March 09, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: September 20, 2004 at 10:34 PM / IP Logged

Just be yourself, and show interest in the job, I personally wouldn't try to show off a bad a$$ attitude, especially if you aren't usually an aggresive person.

If you try to "show-boat" then this may or may not impress them, but in time, they will see that this is not the person you are, they may have hired you for the aggressiveness they think you may have, and be disappointed to see that its not who you are, but you can also be yourself and get hired for yourself, especially if you have a true interest.

If you don't get the job, then don't get discouraged, I'm sure there are more shops around. Just get yourself a resume together(even if you have no prior audio sales experience), and give them out to your local shops. If you truly have an interest in getting into audio sales, let your personality show it, someone will recognize it and give you a shot.

Ravendarat

Platinum - Posts: 2,806

Joined: February 23, 2004

Location: Canada

Posted: September 21, 2004 at 10:22 AM / IP Logged

I wouldnt suggest going in there and basically "Challanging" the man you are wanting a job from. If your friend is a manager than a recomendation from him should go along ways. Confidence without c**kiness is a big deal. Also I can tell you from experience that Product knowledge is, at best, only half of sales. I have one salesman who Im pretty sure fell outta the stupid tree and hit every branch on the way down, but he is an amazing salesman because he knows how to sell, how to build repoir and how to close. Dont forget that when you go to an interview for a sales job your interview is a test for you to sell yourself to your new employer, close him and you are in.

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auex

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Joined: December 23, 2002

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: September 21, 2004 at 7:58 PM / IP Logged

I agree. Go in wanting to learn, not thinking that you know it all and no one else knows anything. If I interviewed someone like that for a position in my company then he sure as hell wouldn't get the job. Also, what happens when he decides to test you and then he floors your ass for not knowing. I can do this rather easily to any installer that I work with or interview. While there is nothing wrong with not knowing, there is if you think that you know it all.

There is nothing worse than an arrogant person that thinks they know more then I do when they don't even know me.

Remember arrogance and knowledge are two different things.

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sk8ingsmurf

Copper - Posts: 198

Joined: March 18, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: September 21, 2004 at 10:31 PM / IP Logged

haha alright thanks for all of the input so far, I guess the only thing is I think I came off the wrong way. My friend the manager DID explain it the way I did where it sounded sort of arrogant, honestly thats not me at all, I thought it sounded just plain c**ky too. I guess Im glad to hear some reassurance from some people that thats definetly not the approach to take. I do believe I have pretty good product knowledge, but I definetly dont think I know it all, I know I still have tons to learn and Im a little unconfident about my abilities to really sell the product. I do think Im decent with sales, Ive worked a few retail jobs and Im pretty good with people, I know the best sales people for me are the ones who dont pressure you, they make you feel comfortable and you learn to trust them very quickly, then they can sort of coax you into buying a certain product. Anybody else have any tips or comments on all of this?

tbirdman74

Copper - Posts: 164

Joined: August 22, 2003

Location: United States

Posted: September 22, 2004 at 4:32 AM / IP Logged

auex wrote:

Remember arrogance and knowledge are two different things.

And wisdom is knowing the difference. Very well said. You are right about the laid back salesmen, who you tend to trust quickly, since they are not pushing product on you. But remember, you have to be able to close the deal, and sometimes that is not as easy as it seems. A smidge of aggresiveness never hurt a salesmans book of tricks. Me, I couldn't sell Ice Water to people in Hell, thats why I just build stuff. Do what you are good at, and the rest will fall into place. And don't work for free! Good Luck on the job.

If it don't fit, Force it.

If it breaks, You needed a new one anyway!

hagmanti

Silver - Posts: 304

Joined: September 14, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: September 23, 2004 at 12:56 PM / IP Logged

If the job you're applying for is commissioned, don't be afraid to say (when they ask you why you want the job) "because I've heard I can make good money doing this." Be upfront and direct, and _ask_ for the job.

If you're looking for a job in retail sales, your job will be to confidently reassure people that "This head unit is the right one for you." For 90% of people, it doesn't matter which head unit you're pointing to at the time, so in your interview (and when you're selling) the A-1 most important thing is to be confident and calm. Product knowledge is great, but it's by far the fifteenth or sixteenth thing on the list of what they're looking for when they're interviewing you. And it's only about third on the customer's list when they're buying.

forbidden

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Joined: November 01, 2003

Location: Alberta, Canada

Posted: September 23, 2004 at 2:56 PM / IP Logged

Always be upfront with your employer. We do not like it when we find out after the fact that you have a raging drug problem and are mentally unstable and must smoke crack to maintain your stability. Know wtf you are talking about and if you do not know the answer, tell them I'm sorry I do not know this right now but how's about I find out and get back to you with the proper answer. (usually found on this fine site). You are selling yourself to the employer, if you can do this, then you will have a job. If they ask you what you are applying for and you say "I don't know" or "whatever man", chances are the garbage can is where your resume is headed. Know what job you want when you go there and have a backup if it is not available. "I really want to sell car audio, however I would also be willing to start out doing dishes or being the shop bitch". (haha I'm sure you get the drift). Make sure you are dressed appropriately for the interview. Be calm and direct. Be courtious to others. If he is busy when you arrive for an interview, let him / her finish what they are doing and find something to occupy your waiting time. Most important, be yourself.

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Advice for getting a job

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