A career as an auto service advisor combines customer service with an expert knowledge of the ins and outs of different vehicles and the repairs they need. It’s a rewarding role that is a great fit for anyone who loves cars and enjoys meeting new people.
Completing accredited training will provide you with a strong foundation for an automotive service advisor role, and give you an edge in the job market. Want to take your career as far as you can? Here are a few expert-approved tips that you can use after graduation!
Target Clarity on Policy and Details for Career Success
Good customer service means having your details down. You can be extremely friendly, fast, and attentive, but if you get a point of policy wrong, it pulls the rug out from under the customer’s expectations and reflects poorly on your auto shop.
It can be a challenge to stay on top of current pricing, repairs, and rebate policy, but knowing about any new changes will help you shine. In addition, there’s no harm in taking the time to double check a few details if you need to. Feel slightly unsure about the exact rebate that you can offer on a new pair of winter tires? Taking 10 seconds to confirm the price will be appreciated by customers and prevent a scathing online review from floating back to your employer.
Experienced Pros with Service Advisor Training Know That Tone Matters
If you have existing experience in customer service, you’ll know the importance of reading your client. Having completed service advisor training, a capable service agent should be able to meet the needs of clients of any disposition, but it can take some time to change your tone to one that best fits each situation. A cheery tone, for example, might be more appreciated by someone coming in for routine maintenance than a customer looking at a major repair.
One study has shown that the tone used by salespersons is a major factor in closing sales, accounting for 38 per cent of the client’s overall impression—even more than the exact words used. Cordiality, respectfulness, and interest can all be expressed through tone, so this is a factor that can make all the difference—especially when talking to clients over the phone.
Careers After Service Advisor Training Can Be Boosted Using Real-Life Demonstration
Those with established careers in the auto industry know that recommending additional services to clients’ vehicles involves a degree of expertise and decisiveness. Vehicles are physical products, so auto service advisors have the luxury of being able use them demonstrably. For example, should an auto repair technician discover a worn-out component, and recommend that you inform the customer regarding the need for a replacement, showing the customer what needs replacing, if possible, can help them better understand the situation.
This is a delicate act, as some car owners may find it patronizing to have replacement parts explained to them, but nothing works as well as illustrating the need for a new engine belt by pointing out the shredded old one.
Do you want to build a rewarding career in auto service advising?
Contact Automotive Training Centres to learn how to get started with automotive service advisor training!