If you’re looking to move up in your auto dealership, getting promoted isn’t just about showing up and hoping for the best. It requires intention, focus, and strategy. Whether you’re aiming for a management role or a leadership position, these three key steps can help you achieve your goal.
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Master Your Current Job
It may sound counterintuitive, but the first step to getting promoted is to focus on excelling at the job you already have. The key to advancement is to stop fixating on the promotion itself and, instead, focus on doing your current job exceptionally well. You should be so great at your role that people say, “No one else can do this job better.”
If you want to rise within the dealership, you need to demonstrate excellence in your current responsibilities. Be thorough, consistent, and reliable. Whether you’re in sales, service, or administration, aim to deliver results that stand out. By becoming indispensable in your current position, you show upper management that you’re capable of taking on more.
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Develop a “Hip-Pocket Skill”
One of the best ways to differentiate yourself in a competitive dealership environment is to develop a specialized skill, something that you’re known for and that sets you apart. This could be expert knowledge of automotive financing, superior customer service, or an uncanny ability to close high-value sales.
A “hip-pocket skill” is a particular talent that makes you the go-to person for a specific issue or area. If you’re known for excelling in a certain aspect of the dealership’s operations, you’ll be the person others turn to when problems arise.
Developing a unique skill not only makes you valuable to the dealership, but it also showcases your ability to continually grow and improve—a key trait in those who get promoted.
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Show Courage and Leadership
The final ingredient in securing a promotion is courage.
While technical skills and job performance are critical, standing out as a leader often comes down to character and the courage to speak up when necessary. Being courageous means defending your ideas, making tough decisions, and, at times, standing alone for what you believe is right for the dealership.
If you see an opportunity for the dealership to improve, don’t be afraid to present it, even if it goes against the status quo. Leaders are not only problem solvers but also innovators—those who push the business forward. Demonstrating the courage to lead and innovate will make you stand out when promotion opportunities arise.
Conclusion
Promotions at an auto dealership doesn’t happen by accident. It takes deliberate effort to master your current job, develop specialized skills, and show the courage to lead. By excelling in these three areas, you’ll position yourself as a top candidate for advancement.
Ready to level up? Schedule a call with Autopeople today – 800-659-9501. Join a team that keeps customers coming back.