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Staying Aware of Your Options in the Motor Trade

16-02-2026
Job seeker advice

The motor trade doesn’t stand still. Dealership groups change direction, leadership shifts and people move roles more often than they used to.

Some moves are planned. Some are simply about finding something that suits better.

That’s normal in the Automotive industry.

Which is why staying aware of your options shouldn’t feel like a big deal. It’s just part of looking after your own career.

How Confidential Conversations with a Specialist Motor Trade Recruiter Help You Stay Informed

For a lot of people, the first conversation with an automotive recruiter happens when something has already shifted. Targets change, leadership moves on or things just start to feel different.

By that point, it’s usually because something has gone wrong or frustration has been building for a while. When you’re in that headspace, it’s easy to make decisions quickly just to get out of the situation.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting change. But it’s far easier to weigh things up properly when you’re settled rather than reacting to a bad week. Quick decisions can feel satisfying in the moment, but they don’t always lead to the right outcome.

Speaking to a specialist motor trade recruiter when you’re settled and performing well isn’t about making a move. It’s about understanding where you stand.

That might mean looking at:

  • How your basic salary compares
  • Whether your OTE still makes sense
  • What progression looks like elsewhere
  • How technician and aftersales roles are evolving as EV demand grows

You may decide nothing needs to change.

It’s far better to reach that conclusion when you’re thinking clearly.

What Speaking to a Recruiter Really Involves

Exploring your options doesn’t equal handing in your notice.

There’s still an assumption for some in the motor trade that speaking to a recruiter means you’ve mentally checked out. Most of the time, it’s simply someone wanting a clearer idea of where they stand.

Nothing is sent anywhere without your say-so, and nothing moves unless you choose to take it further.

It’s also important to understand what this isn’t.

We’re not here to help you use another job as a bargaining chip.

If you’re speaking to us, it should be because you genuinely want to know whether there’s a better move for you, not because you’re trying to force a pay rise where you already are. That approach usually creates more awkwardness than improvement.

If there’s a role that genuinely puts you in a stronger position, we’ll tell you. If there isn’t, we’ll tell you that too.

The Industry Doesn’t Stand Still

Just like any industry, the motor trade doesn’t stay the same for long. Salary expectations shift and dealer groups change direction or move under new ownership.

The move towards EV is creating more training and development opportunities. At the same time, new manufacturers entering the market are bringing new brands and new directions for the industry.

If you haven’t looked at your position in a few years, there’s every chance the wider picture looks different to when you last checked.

That doesn’t automatically mean your current role is wrong. It simply means it’s worth asking whether you’re still progressing as you should be or whether there are stronger opportunities available.

So Where Does That Leave You?

Staying aware of your options in the motor trade isn’t about constantly moving roles.

It’s about knowing what you’re worth and understanding where you stand.

If that’s something you haven’t looked at in a while, it might be worth starting there.