How to Apply to Lithia Motors

Key Takeaways

Search Lithia's Workday portal by location first — with 300+ dealerships, the same role title may exist at dozens of stores, and applying to the right geographic market dramatically increases your response rate
Place ASE certifications, manufacturer training credentials, and state licenses in the top section of your resume so Workday's parser and Lithia's recruiters see them immediately
Quantify every claim on your resume with dealership-specific metrics: flat-rate hours flagged, units sold per month, effective labor rate, hours per RO, or CSI percentages — Lithia's culture is numbers-driven
Research the specific manufacturer brand of the dealership you're applying to and reference it in your application — a Lithia Subaru store and a Lithia BMW store have meaningfully different customer bases and expectations
Respond to recruiter outreach within 24 hours — dealership hiring timelines are among the fastest in any industry, and delayed responses commonly result in offers going to other candidates
Reference Lithia's Mission Plan and promote-from-within culture during interviews to signal that you've researched the company and are seeking a career, not just a job
After uploading your resume to Workday, manually verify every parsed field — incorrect dates, misplaced titles, or missing certifications can disqualify you before a human ever reviews your application

About Lithia Motors

Lithia Motors, operating under the Lithia & Driveway umbrella, stands as one of the largest automotive retailer groups in the United States and globally, with over 300 dealership locations spanning more than 25 states and international markets. Headquartered in Medford, Oregon, and publicly traded on the NYSE (LAD), Lithia has built its empire through an aggressive yet strategic acquisition model, absorbing dealerships and integrating them into a decentralized operational structure that preserves local identity while leveraging enterprise-scale resources. The company represents over 30 manufacturer brands — from mainstream to luxury — and supplements its brick-and-mortar presence with Driveway, its proprietary e-commerce platform designed to facilitate online vehicle purchasing, financing, and home delivery. Culturally, Lithia operates on what it calls its 'Mission Plan,' a profit-sharing and entrepreneurial framework that empowers individual store leaders to run their locations with significant autonomy. This decentralized philosophy means that working at Lithia often feels more like working at a high-performing local dealership than a sprawling corporate conglomerate. Employees frequently cite upward mobility as a defining characteristic: the company actively promotes from within, and many general managers and regional leaders started in entry-level service or sales roles. With approximately 27,000 employees and consistent revenue growth that has placed it in the Fortune 500, Lithia attracts candidates who want the stability of a publicly traded company combined with the meritocratic energy of dealership culture where individual performance directly impacts earnings and advancement.

Application Process

1
Explore Open Roles on Lithia's Workday Careers Portal
Visit Lithia's dedicated careers hub at lithia.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/LithiaCareers to browse current openings. Because Lithia operates hundreds of locations, use the location filter aggressively to narrow results to your preferred market — roles like Service Technician or Sales Representative may appear dozens of times across different dealerships. Pay close attention to the specific brand and store listed in the job description, as your day-to-day experience will vary between, say, a Toyota store and a BMW location.
2
Create Your Workday Candidate Profile
Lithia's Workday instance will prompt you to create a candidate account before applying. Complete every section thoroughly — including work history, certifications (especially ASE certifications for technician roles), and education — because Workday's parsing engine populates your application fields from your uploaded resume, and incomplete profiles can stall in the screening queue. Use this profile to apply across multiple Lithia locations and roles without re-entering information each time.
3
Tailor Your Application to the Specific Dealership and Role
Resist the temptation to submit a generic application across all Lithia postings. Each dealership operates semi-independently, and hiring managers at a Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram store look for different brand familiarity than those at a Lexus location. Reference the specific manufacturer brand, the type of customer base (fleet, retail, luxury), and any dealership-specific details you can find on Google or the store's local website.
4
Complete Any Screening Questionnaires and Assessments
Lithia commonly includes role-specific screening questions within the Workday application — particularly for service and technician positions, where they may ask about specific certifications, tool ownership, and years of brand-specific experience. Answer these questions precisely and honestly, as they often serve as automatic knockout criteria. For sales roles, expect questions about your comfort with commission-based compensation structures.
5
Phone Screen with Dealership HR or Hiring Manager
If your application advances, the first human touchpoint is typically a phone screen conducted by the specific dealership's HR coordinator or, in many cases, the department manager directly (such as a Service Manager for technician roles or a Sales Manager for sales positions). This conversation tends to be practical and direct — expect questions about availability, compensation expectations, and relevant experience. Dealership hiring moves fast, so be prepared to respond within 24-48 hours of outreach.
6
In-Person Interview at the Dealership
The on-site interview is where Lithia's decentralized culture becomes most apparent. You'll typically meet with the department head and possibly the General Manager at the specific store. For technician roles, a hands-on skills assessment or shop walkthrough is common. For sales roles, expect scenario-based questions about handling customer objections, F&I processes, and your approach to building repeat business. Dress one level above the role — business casual for service positions, business professional for sales and management.
7
Background Check, Drug Screening, and Offer
Lithia, like most large dealership groups, requires pre-employment background checks and drug screening as standard conditions of hire. Offers typically come directly from the dealership's management team and include details on pay plans (hourly, salary-plus-commission, or flat-rate for technicians), benefits enrollment timelines, and start dates. The entire process from application to offer commonly takes one to three weeks, though high-demand roles like experienced technicians may move even faster.

Resume Tips for Lithia Motors

critical

Lead with Certifications and Manufacturer-Specific Training

For any service or technician role at Lithia, your ASE certifications, manufacturer-specific training (Toyota T-TEN, GM ASEP, Ford ASSET, etc.), and state inspection licenses should appear within the top third of your resume. Workday's parsing engine will extract these into structured fields, and hiring managers at Lithia dealerships commonly filter candidates by certification level before reading further. List each certification with its full name, certification number if applicable, and expiration date.

critical

Quantify Your Performance with Dealership-Relevant Metrics

Lithia's performance-driven culture means hiring managers want to see numbers. For sales roles, include units sold per month, CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index) scores, finance product penetration rates, and gross profit averages. For service advisors, reference effective labor rate, hours-per-repair-order, and customer retention metrics. For technicians, note your flat-rate flag hours and efficiency percentage. These metrics are the universal language of dealership hiring and signal that you understand how automotive retail is measured.

critical

Use Automotive Industry Terminology That Workday Can Parse

Workday's search and filter functionality relies on keyword matching, so use standard industry terminology throughout your resume. Instead of 'car salesperson,' write 'Automotive Sales Consultant' or 'Sales Representative.' Instead of 'oil change technician,' write 'Lube Technician' or 'Express Service Technician.' Mirror the exact job titles Lithia uses in their postings — Service Advisor, Service Drive Sales Specialist, Lot Attendant — so recruiters using Workday's candidate search find your profile.

recommended

Highlight Multi-Brand or Multi-Rooftop Experience

Lithia operates dealerships across 30+ manufacturer brands, and candidates who demonstrate versatility across brands or experience at multi-location groups are particularly attractive. If you've worked at dealerships representing different manufacturers, list each brand explicitly. If you've transferred between locations or taken on roles across departments (e.g., moving from service to parts or from sales to F&I), emphasize that trajectory — it aligns with Lithia's internal promotion philosophy.

recommended

Include Your DMS and CRM Software Proficiency

Modern dealerships run on dealer management systems and CRM platforms, and Lithia stores commonly use systems like CDK Global, Reynolds & Reynolds, DealerSocket, or VinSolutions. Listing your proficiency with these tools demonstrates immediate operational readiness and reduces onboarding time — a major factor in dealership hiring decisions. Create a 'Technology & Systems' section on your resume and list every DMS, CRM, parts catalog, and diagnostic platform you've used.

recommended

Keep Formatting Clean for Workday's Resume Parser

Workday's resume parser handles standard formatting well but can struggle with columns, text boxes, graphics, headers/footers, and elaborate design elements. Use a single-column layout with clear section headings (Experience, Education, Certifications, Skills), standard fonts like Arial or Calibri, and submit as a .docx or .pdf file. Avoid placing critical information like your name or contact details inside a header field, as Workday may skip it entirely during parsing.

nice_to_have

Address Employment Gaps Proactively in Your Work History

Automotive retail experiences high turnover, and Lithia hiring managers are accustomed to seeing varied employment histories. However, unexplained gaps of six months or more can raise red flags during Workday's initial screening. If you took time off for training, relocation, or personal reasons, include a brief one-line note in your experience timeline. If you freelanced, did mobile mechanic work, or worked at independent shops during a gap, include those entries to show continuous engagement with the trade.

ATS System: Workday

Lithia Motors uses Workday Recruiting, hosted on the wd5 instance, as its enterprise applicant tracking system across all dealership locations and corporate roles. Workday parses uploaded resumes into structured data fields, enabling recruiters to filter, search, and rank candidates using keywords, certifications, and experience criteria. Because Lithia hires at scale across hundreds of locations, Workday also serves as the central system for managing candidate pipelines, scheduling interviews, and tracking compliance documentation like background checks.

Submit your resume as a .docx or standard .pdf — Workday's parser handles these formats most reliably and avoids the formatting errors common with image-based PDFs or Apple Pages exports
After uploading your resume, review every auto-populated field in Workday carefully — the parser may misplace job titles, dates, or employer names, and uncorrected errors can disqualify you during keyword screening
Use exact job title keywords from Lithia's posting in your resume and work history descriptions, as Workday recruiters commonly use title-based and skill-based search filters to surface candidates
Complete all optional fields in your Workday profile, including certifications, licenses, and skills — these structured data points are searchable independently of your resume document and increase your visibility to recruiters
Avoid using tables, multi-column layouts, or graphics in your resume, as Workday's parsing engine reads content linearly and may scramble information placed in non-standard containers
Save your Workday candidate login credentials — Lithia posts new roles frequently as they acquire dealerships, and your existing profile allows you to apply to additional positions instantly

Complete Workday Resume Guide →

Interview Culture

Interviewing at Lithia Motors reflects the company's decentralized, dealership-first operating philosophy — meaning your interview experience will be shaped primarily by the specific store and its leadership team rather than a rigid corporate playbook. For frontline roles like Sales Representative, Service Advisor, or Lube Technician, the process is typically streamlined and practical: a phone conversation followed by one or two in-person meetings at the dealership, often completed within a single week. Dealership hiring moves at retail speed, and Lithia store managers generally have the authority to extend offers without prolonged corporate approval chains. Expect interviews to be conversational but performance-focused. Sales managers will probe your ability to handle customer objections, your understanding of the full sales cycle (from initial greeting through F&I handoff), and your comfort with commission-based compensation. Service managers focus on technical competency, diagnostic thinking, and your ability to work within flat-rate pay structures. For both tracks, demonstrating knowledge of CSI scores, manufacturer standards, and your personal production metrics from previous roles makes a powerful impression. Culture fit at Lithia centers on two qualities: entrepreneurial initiative and adaptability. Because the company grows aggressively through acquisitions, newly integrated dealerships often undergo significant operational changes. Candidates who demonstrate that they thrive in evolving environments, take ownership of their results, and are motivated by performance-based pay tend to resonate most strongly with Lithia leadership. Reference the company's Mission Plan if it comes up — this profit-sharing and growth framework is foundational to Lithia's identity and shows you've done more than surface-level research. For management-level roles (New Vehicle Manager, General Manager candidates), expect a more structured multi-round process that may include interviews with regional leadership and discussions about P&L management, inventory strategy, and team development. Regardless of level, come prepared to discuss specific numbers: your track record in dollars, units, hours, and customer satisfaction scores. In automotive retail, results speak louder than credentials, and Lithia's culture rewards those who can back up their ambitions with data.

What Lithia Motors Looks For

Demonstrated production metrics from previous dealership or retail roles — units sold, flag hours, repair orders written, or CSI scores that prove you perform above average
Comfort with performance-based and commission-oriented compensation structures, which are standard across Lithia's sales and service advisor positions
ASE certifications and manufacturer-specific technical training for all service and technician roles, with preference for candidates holding multiple active certifications
Multi-brand or multi-rooftop dealership experience that signals adaptability — critical in an organization that operates 30+ manufacturer brands
Entrepreneurial mindset aligned with Lithia's Mission Plan philosophy, where individual contributors are expected to take ownership of their results and career trajectory
Customer-first orientation backed by tangible evidence, such as high CSI scores, repeat customer rates, Google review mentions, or customer retention metrics from prior roles
Willingness to grow within the organization — Lithia's promote-from-within culture means they actively seek candidates who view entry-level roles as launchpads rather than endpoints
Proficiency with dealership technology platforms (DMS systems, CRM tools, diagnostic equipment) that reduces onboarding time and signals operational readiness

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it typically take to hear back after applying to Lithia Motors?

Dealership hiring at Lithia tends to move quickly compared to corporate environments. For high-demand roles like Service Technician or Sales Representative, many applicants report hearing back within three to seven business days if their qualifications match the posting. However, response times vary by location and urgency — a store that recently lost a technician may reach out within 24 hours, while a less urgent opening may take two weeks. If you haven't heard back after 10 business days, following up directly with the specific dealership by phone is both acceptable and common practice in automotive retail.

Do I need a cover letter when applying to Lithia dealership positions?

Workday's application for Lithia typically does not require a cover letter for frontline dealership roles like Lube Technician, Lot Attendant, or Service Technician. However, for management positions (New Vehicle Manager, Service Director) or corporate roles, a concise cover letter can differentiate you from equally qualified candidates. If you choose to include one, focus on the specific dealership location and brand, your relevant production metrics, and why you're drawn to Lithia's decentralized operating model. Keep it under one page and avoid generic language that could apply to any dealership group.

Does Lithia Motors hire candidates with no prior automotive experience?

Yes, Lithia regularly fills entry-level positions like Lot Attendant, Service Porter, and Lube Technician with candidates who have no prior dealership experience. These roles are designed as on-ramps into the automotive retail industry, and Lithia's promote-from-within culture means many current managers started in exactly these positions. If you lack dealership experience, emphasize transferable skills such as customer service, physical stamina, attention to detail, and willingness to learn. Mentioning that you're interested in long-term career development within the dealership can also resonate with hiring managers who are looking to invest in trainable talent.

What is the interview process like at a Lithia dealership?

The interview process for most dealership-level roles at Lithia involves two stages: an initial phone screen with the department manager or HR coordinator, followed by an in-person interview at the dealership. For technician roles, expect a shop tour and potentially a hands-on skills evaluation. For sales roles, you may be asked to role-play a customer interaction or walk through how you'd handle a specific sales scenario. The entire process from first contact to offer commonly takes one to two weeks. Management positions may add a third round involving regional leadership. Come prepared with your production numbers, certification documents, and questions about the store's current performance and growth plans.

Can I apply to multiple Lithia locations at the same time?

Absolutely, and Lithia's Workday system is designed to support this. Your candidate profile persists across all Lithia postings, allowing you to apply to multiple locations and roles without re-entering your information. This is actually a smart strategy given Lithia's footprint — if you're flexible on location, applying to the same role at three or four nearby dealerships significantly increases your chances of getting an interview. Each application is reviewed by the local store's hiring team independently, so there's no penalty for casting a wider net within the Lithia network.

What benefits does Lithia Motors offer its employees?

Lithia offers a comprehensive benefits package that typically includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with company matching, paid time off, and employee vehicle purchase discounts — a particularly valuable perk in automotive retail. The company's Mission Plan also includes profit-sharing elements that align individual performance with financial rewards. Benefits eligibility and specifics can vary by position type (full-time vs. part-time) and location, so ask for detailed benefits documentation during the offer stage. Many employees also cite manufacturer training programs and career development pathways as non-monetary benefits that significantly increase their earning potential over time.

How does Lithia's Workday ATS handle my resume, and how should I format it?

Lithia's Workday instance parses your uploaded resume into structured fields — extracting your name, contact information, work history, education, and skills into the system automatically. To ensure accurate parsing, use a clean single-column layout, standard fonts, and clearly labeled section headers. Avoid tables, graphics, columns, and text placed in headers or footers. Submit as a .docx or .pdf file. After uploading, carefully review every field Workday populated and correct any errors — particularly around job titles, employment dates, and certifications. Accurate structured data is what allows recruiters to find you when searching Workday's candidate database.

Is it worth applying to Lithia if I only see a few open positions listed?

Lithia's careers portal may show a limited number of active postings at any given time, but the company is in continuous growth mode through acquisitions and natural turnover in a 27,000-employee organization. Even if you don't see your ideal role today, creating a Workday profile and applying to a related position keeps you in Lithia's candidate database for future openings. Additionally, newly acquired dealerships often post new roles in batches as they integrate into Lithia's systems. Check back weekly, as automotive retail postings tend to appear and fill quickly. You can also reach out directly to specific Lithia dealerships in your area, as some stores may be hiring through local channels before roles appear on the centralized portal.

What should I wear to an interview at a Lithia dealership?

Interview attire at a Lithia dealership should match the role you're pursuing, elevated by one level. For service and technician roles, clean business casual (collared shirt, clean pants, closed-toe shoes) is appropriate — you want to look presentable while signaling that you're prepared for a physical work environment. For sales, finance, and management roles, business professional attire (suit or blazer with dress pants) is the standard, as these positions are customer-facing and Lithia's dealerships, especially luxury brand stores, maintain professional appearance standards. Regardless of role, arrive clean, well-groomed, and with copies of your resume, certification cards, and a valid driver's license — nearly every dealership role requires driving vehicles on the lot.

Sample Open Positions

Check Your Resume Before Applying → View 124 open positions at Lithia Motors

Related Resources

Career Guides for Lithia Motors Roles

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Sources

Lithia Motors Careers Portal — Lithia Motors / Workday
Lithia Motors Company Overview and Mission Plan — Lithia Motors, Inc.
Lithia Motors Employee Reviews and Interview Insights — Glassdoor
Lithia & Driveway Investor Relations — Annual Report and Growth Strategy — Lithia Motors, Inc.