The 2025 NADA Show was one for the (record) books! I personally hoped for a reprieve from the Chicago winter in New Orleans, but a major snowstorm swept the country, creating travel challenges. Flights were delayed, roads were treacherous, and yet, the spirit of the automotive community continued to shine brightly. It was a testament to our resilience and dedication to shaping the future of our industry, no matter the obstacles in our path!
The Critical Role of Technician Hiring
Among the many conversations, one topic stood out: the urgency of technician hiring in light of the growing prevalence of electric vehicles (EVs). Many dealerships discussed grappling with the shortage of qualified technicians, and the feedback from attendees echoed a common frustration: “I’m sifting through resumes of applicants with no relevant experience.”
This is not just a challenge; it’s a call to action. As our industry evolves, we must adapt our hiring practices to attract the right individuals and set our teams up for success. Many other dealerships shared their struggles—finding skilled technicians, managing turnover in service departments, and the pressing need for effective sourcing strategies, especially in more rural areas. This is where our focus at Hireology comes into play: helping dealerships refine their hiring processes to attract and hire the brightest talent to drive their success. I recently wrote about the auto technician shortage and some hiring resolutions to remember for 2025; start reading here.
The Power of Data
Hireology helps you monitor your hiring health with features like Action Center and Insights. Visualizing data trends helps dealers understand their current hiring process standing and forecast future performance, allowing them to stay ahead of the competition.
Insights: Hireology is the only platform that can give you insight into the effectiveness of your hiring process — across hiring velocity, process adherence, and even sourcing ROI — in an actionable and intuitive format.
Action Center: This handy dashboard is designed to help manage hiring workflow across multiple locations. Enhanced visibility into real-time hiring performance and filters to see locations and job status let you stay updated on the priorities that matter most to your team!
These features aren’t just about efficiency; it’s about making informed decisions to propel dealerships forward.
A Shift in Hiring Practices
As I navigated the bustling expo halls, it became clear that the auto industry was shifting its mindset. Dealerships are no longer in the game of filling positions with any available staff; dealerships are now prioritizing efficiency. The emphasis is on quality over quantity. It’s no longer just about having a large pool of candidates; it’s about selecting the highest caliber individuals who can contribute to the dealership’s growth.
Many dealers voiced concerns about slow hiring processes and the challenge of attracting quality applicants. The urgency for change is palpable, and it was wonderful to connect in person to showcase how Hireology’s platform is designed to make this transition smoother, consolidating job postings, applicant reviews, and hiring decisions into one cohesive system. We didn’t leave the insights in NOLA! Explore how Durango Motor Company effectively managed a massive 47% surge in applicants with Hireology. Learn how hiring platform customizations and personalizations provide value for the hiring manager, allowing them to manage incoming applicants effectively while allowing them to balance other responsibilities.
Investing in the Future
We must acknowledge the great retirement wave looming. Generations of dealership leaders are beginning to step back, and we must invest in the next generation of talent through recruiting and training. This is not just about filling open positions; it’s about ensuring the longevity and vitality of our industry for years to come.
Seeing many of the 2025 NADA Show discussions about immediate challenges and laying a solid foundation for the future was encouraging. The importance of nurturing young professionals and fostering a culture of learning and development cannot be overstated! It’s time to think about how we can cultivate the leaders of tomorrow. Hireology has helpful features and tools to empower your dealership, like a mobile app and a QR code generator to easily share open roles when on the go, like at job fairs! Explore how Durango Motor Company found a 75% success rate when hiring at job fairs with Hireology’s easy-to-use and mobile-friendly features.
A Bright Future Ahead
Despite the travel chaos and the unexpected snow, the 2025 NADA Show reminded us of the strength and unity within the automotive community. Human talent is the engine that drives our industry, and we must recognize its significance as we navigate these changing tides.
By embracing the challenges of technician hiring, prioritizing efficiency, investing in succession planning, and leveraging data, we can ensure that our dealerships remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape. At Hireology, we are committed to helping dealerships fine-tune their workforce management engine—because the right talent isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity for a thriving future. Let’s move forward together, fueled by our passion for the industry and the incredible talent that will lead us into the next chapter.
If you weren’t able to attend NADA 2025 due to travel challenges, don’t worry! You can explore all the essential resources and highlights from the event at our 2025 NADA Show Resource Hub, with no travel required.
