Jobs › CarMax

Sales Consultant trainee - Full Time

CarMax · Chicago, IL · $15.41–$20.00 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 4, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at CarMax

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

You will guide customers through appraisals, test drives and financing. Which part do you think would be hardest for you to learn?

What they are checking: Whether they are self-aware about gaps and ready to learn instead of pretending to know it all.

Tell me about a time you helped someone make a big decision.

What they are checking: Whether they can guide people patiently through choices that matter to them.

Tell me about a time you got feedback from a mentor and changed how you worked.

What they are checking: Whether they take coaching well, which matters in a trainee role built on mentorship.

What does a customer-first experience look like to you when you are paid partly on commission?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance earning commission with doing right by customers.

What would you do

A customer has a trade-in and is disappointed by the appraisal offer. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they can explain the offer respectfully and keep the customer's trust after bad news.

A family comes in with three different opinions about what car to buy. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can include everyone and find common ground without taking sides.

A customer asks you to fudge a number on a financing form so they get approved. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they hold firm on honesty and compliance even when a sale is on the line.

How do you handle a customer who is rude to you?

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm and professional under pressure without taking it personally.

About the work

How would you learn the CarMax inventory well enough to suggest cars that fit a customer's needs?

What they are checking: Whether they have a practical plan to build product knowledge quickly.

How do you keep track of several customers at different stages of buying?

What they are checking: Whether they stay organized with follow-ups so no customer falls through the cracks.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at CarMax from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by CarMax.

7199 - Oak Lawn - 6540 W 95th St, Oak Lawn, Illinois, 60453 CarMax, the way your career should be! Position Overview As a Sales Consultant Trainee, you will be the foundation of an iconic, customer-first experience at CarMax. Your mission is to build genuine relationships, understand customer needs, and guide them toward the right vehicle—not just the most expensive one. This role offers paid training and mentorship, equipping you with the tools to succeed in auto sales without prior experience. Bring your ability to connect with people and your passion for learning, and we’ll help you grow into a future mentor, manager, or business leader. At CarMax, honesty and transparency drive everything we do—and they’ll help you thrive, too. Why CarMax? At CarMax, we are the nation’s largest retailer of used cars with stores from coast to coast, and we are still growing. We’re rethinking the way people buy cars – and our associates help us do just that. We believe work should feel meaningful and rewarding, with opportunities to make an impact every day. Whether you’re advancing your career or growing your skillset, we are here to drive you forward. Role Responsibilities • Assist customers in finding vehicles that fit their needs using your knowledge of CarMax inventory. • Guide customers through the entire process, including appraisals, test drives, and financing applications. • Deliver an exceptional experience by listening actively and providing clear, honest information. • Complete accurate documentation for all transactions to ensure a smooth and transparent process. • Collaborate with team members to meet customer needs and achieve store goals. • Maintain a professional, customer-first approach in every interaction, and stay informed about CarMax products, services, and promotions to better serve customers. • Follow CarMax Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) requirements and maintain a clean and orderly work area. Required Qualifications • Sales or customer service experience in retail or similar environments preferred. • Strong listening and communication skills with a customer-focused mindset. • High level of self-motivation and ability to work independently and as part of a team. • Comfort with technology for processing transactions and accessing inventory information. • Ability to adapt in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. • Commitment to integrity and transparency in every customer interaction. • Willingness to learn and grow through CarMax-provided training and mentorship. About CarMax At CarMax, we revolutionized the used car buying experience over 30 years ago by introducing transparency and integrity into the process. Our commitment to customer experience, innovation, and community has made us the nation’s largest used car retailer. With over 250 store locations and over 30,000 associates, we are proud to have been recognized as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® and are committed to helping our communities thrive. As an associate, you are part of an innovative movement to empower the modern customer and drive progress. Your work fuels change—sparking ideas, overcoming challenges, and shaping what’s next. Join us in creating a better future– for our company, our customers, and the communities we call home. CarMax is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Sales Consultants earn an average of $65,000 annually. Top performers can earn $90,000+ annually. The hourly rate for this position is: $15.41 - $20.00 Commissions: This position is eligible for commission. Benefits: Except as otherwise required by state law, CarMax Associates are entitled to the following paid sick, vacation, and holiday time. Associates that are considered full-time hourly or commissioned are eligible: • To earn up to 48 hours of sick time per year accrued on a per pay period basis and between 80 hours and 200 hours per year of vacation time after a 90 day waiting period depending on years of continuous service with the Company. • For 8 hours of pay for each of a total of 6 paid scheduled holidays per year plus 1 floating holiday. If such an Associate does work on a scheduled holiday due to business need, they are eligible for Holiday Premium Pay. Associates considered full-time salaried are entitled to paid time away with no specified limit as needed for sick, vacation, bereavement, jury duty, holidays, floating holiday, etc. subject to manager approval. For more details about benefits, please visit our CarMax Benefits website. Upon an applicant's request, CarMax will consider reasonable accommodation to complete the CarMax Job Application .

Apply at CarMax