Hiring and Sponsoring Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers (SOC Code 7115)

Vehicle and Parts Salespersons and Advisers, classified under SOC Code 7115, are essential professionals in the automotive sector who engage with customers to fulfill their vehicle and parts needs. Their role encompasses a range of responsibilities including:

• Customer Engagement: Discussing customers’ requirements to understand their needs and advising on the most suitable vehicles.
• Product Knowledge: Explaining features of vehicles and arranging test drives to enhance customer experience.
• Sales Negotiation: Negotiating sale prices which may include trade-ins and additional accessories.
• Finance Arrangements: Working out financing options and completing necessary sales paperwork efficiently.
• Vehicle Handover: Conducting pre-delivery inspections and formally handing over vehicles to customers.
• Stock Management: Updating stock records, ordering new vehicles from manufacturers, and purchasing used cars as needed.
• Parts Management: Receiving orders for vehicle parts via phone, email, or in-person, checking availability, and organizing delivery.
• Supplier Coordination: Obtaining parts from storage or placing orders with suppliers to ensure timely availability.
• Record Keeping: Arranging storage for parts, managing inventory updates, and ensuring seamless transactions for customer satisfaction.

In the ever-evolving automotive industry landscape, the demand for adept vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers continues to rise, prompting many dealerships and automotive companies to seek skilled professionals. This guide aims to assist HR professionals in navigating the recruitment and sponsoring process for these crucial roles under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers?

SOC Code 7115 refers to vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers who play a vital role in facilitating vehicle sales and managing parts inventory. Their responsibilities can include:

• Discussing customer requirements: Engaging with customers to understand their needs and preferences for vehicles.
• Advising on appropriate vehicles: Providing information and recommendations on vehicles that best meet customer criteria, including explaining features and benefits.
• Arranging test drives: Coordinating test drives for potential buyers to experience the vehicle firsthand.
• Negotiating sale price: Discussing and finalizing the sale price, including considerations for trade-ins and additional accessories.
• Working out finance arrangements: Helping customers navigate financing options and arrangements to purchase their vehicle.
• Completing sales paperwork: Ensuring all necessary documentation is filled out and processed for vehicle transactions.
• Conducting pre-delivery inspections: Performing checks to ensure the vehicle meets quality standards before handover to the customer.
• Formal hand-over of the vehicle: Presenting the vehicle to the customer upon completion of the sale and ensuring they understand its features.
• Updating stock records: Maintaining accurate records of vehicle and parts inventory.
• Ordering new vehicles from manufacturers: Managing inventory by placing orders for new vehicles as needed.
• Buying in used cars: Acquiring pre-owned vehicles to enhance stock offerings.
• Receiving orders for parts: Managing incoming orders for vehicle parts via phone, email, or in person.
• Checking parts availability: Ensuring that requested parts are in stock or coordinating orders from suppliers.
• Organising delivery of parts: Coordinating the logistics for delivering parts to customers or to the service department.
• Handling payment for parts: Managing transactions related to parts sales, including processing payments.
• Arranging for storage: Ensuring that parts are stored properly and efficiently within the inventory system.

Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers are essential in the automotive industry, contributing to customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Eligibility to Hire Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers must possess a blend of customer service skills, automotive knowledge, and sales experience to excel in this role. Ideal candidates should meet the following qualifications:

• Customer Interaction: Ability to engage with customers, understand their requirements, and provide tailored advice on vehicle choices.
• Product Knowledge: In-depth understanding of vehicle features, specifications, and benefits to effectively convey information during sales discussions.
• Sales Skills: Proven experience in negotiating sale prices, discussing trade-ins, and advising on accessories and finance arrangements.
• Administrative Skills: Competence in completing sales paperwork accurately and efficiently to ensure a smooth sales process.
• Inspection and Delivery: Experience in performing pre-delivery inspections and managing the formal hand-over of vehicles to customers.
• Inventory Management: Familiarity with updating stock records, ordering new vehicles from manufacturers, and managing used car purchases.
• Parts Knowledge: Experience in receiving orders and checking availability of automotive parts through various communication channels, including phone and email.
• Organisational Skills: Ability to obtain parts, manage deliveries, handle payments, and maintain accurate stock records for both parts and vehicles.

Ensure that the job description aligns with SOC Code 7115 and that the salesperson’s experience meets the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers under SOC Code 7115.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers

Before the Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Vehicle and parts salespersons and adviserss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers

Sponsoring Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers under SOC Code 7115 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers under SOC Code 7115 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.