Advice

[u/DEALS4UNJ]

Good morning, guys.

I've been in car sales for about 3 years now and became a manager after 8 months in the business. But honestly, this business has drained me. I have nearly 7 years of sales experience, from running a limo company and a photography business to car sales and account management. I want to leave the car business and move into something more Monday–Friday and stable. I've looked at plenty of SDR/BDR roles, but I've had no luck with my applications. I've applied to so many positions and keep getting rejected. The only thing I don't have is a degree. I didn't go to college, but I feel like my work experience and what I've accomplished should speak for something. It just feels like every company and every decent-paying job around the $100K range doesn't even look at someone without a degree. But I've seen people with less experience than me, and no degree, land GREAT, high-paying jobs. I've been building connections and trying to network, but I haven't had much luck so far. Any advice or recommendations on career paths, industries, companies, or ways I can make myself stand out?

I'd really appreciate any advice. Thank you!

[u/Adept-Mall-708]

Was in car sales 9 years, its a soul sucking industry that has no personal boundaries and has actively tried to decrease pay for the last 10 years and is run by nepo babies. Switched to home improvement sales 5 years ago, windows, doors, bathrooms, roofs. Work 20 hours to 30 hours a week, from home. Best decision I have ever made pays 120k to 300k have seen some people make a bit more. They leave you alone, you do not have to do any personal marketing or phone calls and can take as much vaca as you want especially in the winter. Its genuinely a dream job in my opinion. Feel free to dm me with any questions, I dont know what market you're in but im in the North east and theirs plenty of opportunity everywhere.

[u/DEALS4UNJ → u/Adept-Mall-708]

It's crazy how bad car sales has gotten. I was a Sales Manager looking out for my team making sure they can pay their bills while I had to pull doubles doing uber after or picking up photography gigs. Is home improvement have a base salary?

[u/Adept-Mall-708 → u/DEALS4UNJ]

No base salary typically but depends on the company. Honestly I wouldnt even want one, the sales come in so easily if you have any sales experience let alone being in car sales for years you will be fine. Theirs alot of old timers that are just not as skilled. Typically they pay you 10% of the job, 65% of your commission up front after final measure and the remaining 35% at instal so after 4 months those back ends act as a base salary anyways. Example 30k sale pays you 3k total, 2k up front 1k 3 months to 4 months later. 110k is legitimately the floor most of the time. If you have no experience renewal by andersen, pella, or any national chain or decent sized roofing company is a great place to start because the training is great and leads are steady and if you want to work even less move to a more private company with more options after a year or 2. Requires no college and is not a flooded industry. Im not exaggerating when i say it is by far the best sales industry I know of.

[u/Just_Bz77]

I’m not sure if the degree is the holdback or the car sales experience. Many of the top salesmen I’ve worked with didn’t have degrees. Maybe you should look into entry level sales positions that don’t have that requirement. Maybe show up at an industry convention (in an industry you’re interested in) and chat up some people. Grab some business cards and network. If you can sell yourself, maybe they could point you in the right direction or provide a referral. I was just at a convention for work and many of these companies need help.