April 8, 2021

The Essential Guide to Landing a Sales Job

Sales jobs are a great way to get into the workforce. Sales people have lots of opportunities for growth and success, but only if they know what to do.

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Do you want to get a Sales Job? You may be asking yourself how, or where to start. Sales jobs are always in demand and the competition is high. This article will provide some tips and advice on how you can get your foot in the door for this lucrative career path.
Sales jobs are the most coveted positions in business because they generally come with high salaries and bonuses, as well as commission opportunities. Sales jobs also have great benefits packages which include healthcare and other perks that can make your work life fantastic. However, not every company is going to be right for you - so it's important to know what qualities a good salesperson should have before you write your CV tailored to any offer of employment.

But What Actually is Sales?

Selling isn't really rocket science. As long as you have a phone and are confident enough to pick up the receiver, you've already conquered 85% of the battle. But there is so much more than meets the eye when trying to get into sales. Sales is all about finding a solution for somebody who doesn't have one yet. If you feel like there's no possible solution for somebody or their problem… guess what? You'll never be able to sell anything! Nobody has ever been interested in being sold something they don't want/need—which is precisely why they're not even talking about their problems with you.

First things first: Sales is all about confidence. No matter how many different ways we try to spin this, selling is difficult if you don't believe in yourself or what you're selling—which sounds really cheesy when writing it out like that. But just because it's cliché doesn't mean it isn't true! If there's one thing we can stress above everything else when talking about getting into sales, it's self-confidence. Unfortunately, it's also probably gonna be the hardest trait to gain over time… 

What are the Characteristics of a Great Salesman

There are some amazing qualities that a good salesman needs to have. If you are looking for employment in this field, then there are some characteristics that you need to have if you want to be successful in your career. These characteristics will help you when selling products and services so they can at their best sell these items with ease. Some of the most important characteristics are discussed below.

  • The first characteristic is being able to go with the flow even if it is not what they expected or wanted to happen. Being flexible in mind and body is essential for any salesperson because it allows people who work in the industry to communicate better with clients and customers which helps them sell their product successfully . The next characteristic for a great salesperson is good communication skills. If a person can express their thoughts and ideas to others with ease, then they will be able to relate better with the customers thus allowing them to sell their product in an effective manner.
  • A great salesman also needs to listen carefully when someone is speaking so they don't miss any important details. Asking questions related to the topic at hand and showing interest in what the client has to say shows that you are interested in helping them out and it gives you a chance to learn more about your clients so you can help them even better . The next characteristic of a great salesperson is having empathy which means understanding another's feelings like love, sorrow, happiness , etc. A good salesperson does his best not to offend anyone because once a client feels uncomfortable in front of a salesperson, they will not feel like buying anything from them.
  • Some other characteristics include being friendly and polite, being well-dressed to look professional , having a positive attitude towards your job and others around you , working efficiently and consistently with no breaks or days off work, trying out new things to add value to the product that you are selling such as offering payment options that benefit both parties involved etc.

Now the Important Part: How to Land a Sales Job?

First, you need to figure out what type of sales job will suit your personality. This has more to do with figuring out your strengths than anything else. People are naturally drawn to certain things so chances are, there is a pretty good chance that you already know what type of sales job would be perfect for you. Also, take into consideration the time frame that you have in order to get the position done. If you only have a few weeks until school starts up again, then focusing on something like door-to-door sales may not be the best option. On the other hand, if you aren't in any kind of rush but are flexible on when you can begin work, then it may very well be worth taking some time to find something else.

Once you know what type of sales job would suit your personality and schedule, it is time to get out there and start applying for jobs. There are a few different routes that you can take in order to get into this line of work. The first one consists of going through a trusted source such as a staffing agency or directly from the business itself. If you have been referred by someone who has already been working at the company, then chances are, they have already checked over your credentials so you may be able to skip some steps in case they need any additional information from you. If you aren't connected with anyone who works within the organization but know someone who does, this is still a pretty good option since you can get information on the company that way. Once you find out more about how they do things, you will have a better idea on whether or not it is something that would be worth pursuing.

As an alternative to these two options, some people opt to go directly to companies (door-to-door) in order to get more information on their openings and possibly even set up an interview. This isn't for everybody since you must be able to provide your own transportation and wardrobe while also having the stamina necessary in order to make the rounds until getting the job done. Even if this is what you are most comfortable with, I still recommend making contacts in other ways because it may help open more doors in terms of opportunities in addition to just being able to get a feel for the company.

It should also be noted that there isn't one specific route that is better than the others. There are many different paths that you can take in order to get there, but it all depends on what you know and what you are looking for. The important thing is that you do your research so when an opportunity comes along, you will be ready to jump on it without any hesitation.

Here are a few Tips and Tricks to Get You Started

1). Build your resume

  • In today's market, a college degree is no longer enough to secure a good entry level position in the sales industry. Combining work experience and education with strong writing skills will give you an advantage from many other applicants. Experience in retail, customer service or even blogging will allow potential employers to see that you understand what it means to be a part of the organization.
  • Only list experience and skills that directly relate to your desired position. The job you apply for should be listed at the top of your resume. Remember, employers want clear cut answers and they don't want to weed through too much information in order to get them.
  • Make sure you highlight any awards or accomplishments that show initiative and leadership qualities such as scholarship for academics or club involvement.
  • Don't be afraid to use bullet points! Employers like leaders who can clearly communicate their thoughts and ideas.

2). Be ready

  • No matter how perfect you think your resume looks, if you do not prepare yourself for an interview it will be a failure. Research the company you are applying to work for, brush up on your basic interview skills and determine what type of person they’re looking for in terms of employment.
  • Practice makes perfect! Get with friends or family members and practice interviewing one another. Make sure to take note of how each person responds to certain questions and then avoid making these mistakes yourself.
  • Remember that most hiring managers will not hire someone on the spot so if they tell you that they will follow up with an answer it is best not to ask when. You can check back in after a couple weeks but do so tactfully - nobody likes pushy job seekers!

3) Have confidence

  • Wipe out any insecurity that may arise because of inexperience, and always remember to smile! Job interviews are nerve wracking but the key is to try your best to make sure they see past it.
  • Don't be afraid to speak up! Express why you feel you are the most qualified candidate for this position. If asked about weaknesses, tell them how you plan on solving any problems that come along with them.

4) Dress the part

  • Even if your interview is scheduled last minute or at a very casual company, put in an effort to dress nicely. Think business casual - slacks, blazer etc. Do not wear jeans or sneakers as this will land you back in step 1 building your resume where employers want clear cut answers instead of too much information.
  • Show that you respect the hiring manager's time by arriving early and not making them wait for you.

5)  Follow up

  • After completing your interview and following any possible instructions, do not forget to send a thank you note to whoever might have interviewed you. It shows that you appreciate their time and makes them more likely to remember you.
  • Prepare for rejection. If they cannot offer you a position now it is important not to take this personally as there will be other positions available in the future. Keep applying and always keep track of your achievements! Good luck job seekers!

Remember that even though sales is all about speaking with people, sometimes the best way to communicate is through written words like a resume or thank you note! A strong handshake is important for any position that involves physical work as well as customer service. If your hands are sweaty don't worry, it happens to everyone so bring some hand wipes with you just in case! Also remember to be confident but not cocky. Believe in yourself and give 100% effort no matter what the task at hand is. A certain degree of ambition will outshine inexperience any day.

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Harsh Gupta

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