Nam, a 23-year-old from Nam Dinh province, just starting his career selling trucks at a Mitsubishi dealership in Hanoi, offers a genuine look into the challenges and early lessons of a salesman. From washing cars to learning customer interaction, Nam’s journey of “learning the truck sales profession” is full of valuable experiences.
From Car Passion to Harsh Reality
With a childhood passion for cars and knowledge about various vehicle types, Nam confidently entered the job interview. He easily answered questions about vehicle classifications, brands, and market competition. The dealership director, Mr. Le Hieu, seemed pleased. However, the reality of the job was not as dreamy as he imagined.
On his very first day, Nam was assigned to drive a pickup truck to the display area. Seemingly simple, he made a mistake by not cleaning the car thoroughly. Mr. Hieu sternly asked Nam to clean the car again. Dust still lingered in the wheel wells, the floor mats hadn’t been replaced, and the protective foam at the door hadn’t been removed – all of which did not escape the experienced director’s eyes.
First Lesson: Meticulousness and Persistence
Through the car washing task, Mr. Hieu wanted to impart a lesson about persistence and meticulousness – crucial qualities for a car salesman. A passion for cars is very different from a passion for the car sales profession. Many newcomers don’t last more than 3 months due to a lack of persistence and brand loyalty. “The necessary qualities need to be honed from the smallest tasks,” Mr. Hieu affirmed.
Overcoming Challenges with a Positive Attitude
Beyond car washing, Nam also had to learn how to interact with customers. Mr. Hieu challenged Nam with harsh criticisms to observe his reaction. The lesson learned was that a car salesperson must always maintain a positive attitude; arguing would eliminate any chance of winning over the customer.
Nam was also reminded about his appearance and professional demeanor. He had to get a haircut, dye his hair black, discard ankle socks, and wear a proper suit. “Remember, you’re not a student anymore,” Mr. Hieu said.
Continuous Learning to Become a Professional
In the following days, Nam spent time observing and taking notes on how experienced sales staff met and interacted with customers. He also diligently studied technical specifications and car models. He realized that success in truck sales is not just about luck or fate but also requires effort and continuous learning. A training session on how to open and close car doors politely was also a memorable lesson for Nam. “Always put yourself in the customer’s shoes,” Mr. Hieu explained.
The Journey Has Just Begun
After these initial lessons, Nam gradually understood the truck sales profession better. He gave up the idea of buying luxury items to focus on his work. Many challenges lie ahead for Nam, but with passion, persistence, and a learning spirit, he is ready for the journey of conquering his first customers. The upcoming overall test will be an opportunity for Nam to prove his ability and officially step into the profession.
