CarShop Sales Specialist Interview Questions
& Process

I did a really long online application that took about 3-4 hours, with some essay-style answers. After that, I was called in for an interview at the specific location I applied to. I sat down with two managers, and we talked about my background, my previous work history, and what I expected to make. A big part of the conversation was about what the job actually involved, and then sharing details about my life experiences. They were trying to see if I could hold a conversation, think quickly, and keep going when things got tough. They also wanted to know if I had the mental toughness to deal with a lot of rejection. I got a job offer, had to do a pre-employment drug screen, and then started working.

I applied on 1/30/16 for the 'Internet Sales Consultant' role at CarSense.com, noting the identical description for 'Sales Consultant.' Laura contacted me for basic questions and then invited me for an interview with her and Gary (auto sales manager) on Tuesday. I took a half day off. Laura was nice and asked about my background, experience, education, and interest in auto sales, plus transitioning to face-to-face interaction since that's not part of my current job. She didn't discuss job duties but seemed to get to know me. Then, I waited to see Gary, but Laura rescheduled, saying 'something came up.' I agreed to return Thursday, taking another half day. On Thursday, Gary was also polite and thanked me for applying and returning. He discussed job aspects and asked about moving into auto sales. Although I applied for 'Internet Sales,' it wasn't mentioned, and it felt like an interview for straight face-to-face sales, which confused me. Gary felt good about me and my skills but required a personality test for fit. He hinted that favorable results would lead to an interview with GM Tim. I got the test the next morning, completed it quickly, and emailed Gary. He said he'd be in touch after getting HR's feedback. Monday afternoon, Gary called to schedule the interview with Tim for Wednesday. I took the day off. I arrived early for my 10:00 AM interview with Tim, but waited about 40 minutes. Tim was polite but less enthusiastic than Laura and Gary. He focused on face-to-face interaction, again with no mention of 'Internet Sales,' which fits my skills better. The interview was brief. Tim mentioned Laura and Gary liked me, that it was Gary's decision, and he'd give Gary feedback. I left unsure. No feedback came Thursday or Friday. On Saturday, I emailed Gary to check my status. Two hours later, I got a generic email saying they felt other candidates were more qualified. I don't mind not getting the job, but I felt my time wasn't valued (rescheduling, late start to interview). I suspected Gary was leading me on about the personality test, and I don't understand why I interviewed with Tim if the results were unfavorable, or why the focus was on traditional sales when I applied for internet sales (the job listings were identical). I was also unhappy about having to follow up to see if I was still considered. I know they owe me nothing, but this caused a lot of stress. I wish companies were more considerate of candidates' time. It seemed like a great place with a terrific opportunity. I'm sharing this not to discourage others, but to prepare them for potential time waste, especially if taking time off work. Don't overanalyze things, or you'll likely be disappointed.

After submitting the online application which included a fairly long but manageable questionnaire, I got a call on Monday. It was a quick phone interview with a sales manager. Following that, I was invited for an in-person interview with the same manager. It went well, and I was then scheduled to meet the general manager a few days later. When I went in for the general manager interview, I actually met with another sales manager briefly first, then the general manager. After that, I got to meet with the location manager. So, in total, I met with 4 different people across 2 separate visits. If they offer you the job, be ready for a drug test and a background check done by a third party, which takes the longest (several days). They really care about whether you'll fit in with their team, which makes sense since they all seem really happy. They're less focused on your sales background and more on your personality and character. I enjoyed meeting everyone, and they seem just as great as their employee reviews suggest.