If you are considering a career in sales, it’s not something that you should take lightly. Becoming a successful sales rep takes more than just learning how to talk to people, and knowing your product.
For example, if you walked into a sales pitch believing that you knew your company’s product, and started to talk thinking that you had a client’s attention, only to find out that the client actually had no interest in your product or in what you had to say, what would you do? How would you handle it?
A career in sales takes guts, ample self-confidence, and the ability to go with the flow, and handle rejection. If you are someone who feels dejected easily, don’t expect sales recruitment companies to come knocking at your door.
But there are a few things you can do to boost your chances of landing great sales jobs.
- Pay Your Dues. There is no job that puts you in the big leagues before you train in the pee wee’s. Similarly, you may have to start on the sales floor at a local department store, at a coffee shop, or your local furniture store before you can even think of applying to a corporate job listing. After you have a few years of sales under your belt, you can start to climb the ranks.
- Classes. There’s nothing wrong with a little more education. Even if you went to school for business or advertising, you can always take more classes on how to be an efficient, high quality sales rep. These classes could give you information on some of the latest advancements in sales, and give you an edge when you apply for jobs.
- Sell Yourself. Even if you don’t have all the experience you think you need (but you at least have some), you will want to put together a smashing resume to impress sales recruitment agencies. Play up the duties at your current and former jobs, and send out your resumes to as many positions as possible. You may not get as many responses as you want, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to try.
There’s no reason you can’t have a successful sales career, but you will have to work for it. Like anything else, practice makes perfect, and hard work pays off. To see more, read this.
