Car salesmen are an important part of the automotive industry. There primary mission is to make customers interested in cars and sell as many cars a possible to bring in profit for the dealership. The entire process of persuading the customer to buy a car could take hours. Still, many people find car sales a thrilling occupation because of the large commissions a person can make. There are several qualifications that are required to become a car salesman.

Education

The usual education level for a car salesman is a high school diploma. Potential car salesmen with high school diplomas can give themselves an edge by taking a few classes in sales or marketing. According to the Princeton Review, college coursework in psychology, finance, and public speaking is becoming more common.

Specialized Training

According to Career Choices, automotive technology training, including training in on board systems, is becoming a common basic qualification for employment.

Most training in sales, specifically, is done on the job. However, some salesmen may spend time at a national training center learning about each model's features, general negotiation strategies, the culture of the company they work for, and the manufacturing process, according to the Princeton Review.

Physical Qualifications

Car salesmen must be able to stand for long periods of time and walk through the car lot. Some salesmen may need to be able to work for long hours. The ability to withstand a variety of outdoor temperatures, such as intense summer heat or cold winters, is also helpful.

Background Checks

Potential car salesmen may have to successfully pass a background and/or credit check before being employed.

Personality

According to the Bureau or Labor Statistics, car salesmen need to be well groomed, tactful, and have a good ability to express themselves.

Most are paid solely on commission, so they need to be persistent in their efforts to make sales each day. Because they work with other salesmen trying to make their daily sales quota, competition is fierce.

Each day car salesmen must fight against the stereotype that they are dishonest and crafty. To do that, they must put forth an image of integrity and interest. A lot of business may depend on return customers, so car salesmen have to be skilled at building customer loyalty.