11 Things You Should Know Before Applying for a Sales Position

If you haven’t yet discovered your passion in life, then choosing a career path could be a bit challenging. That’s ok, not everyone has life figured out; you can explore till you find something that strikes a chord. However, don’t just jump a ship based on a hunch or because your friend said so.

Whether you are a fresh graduate or someone looking to switch careers, it is imperative for you to do some research so that you know exactly what you are opting for. 

If lately you have been thinking of having a career in sales, here is what you need to know before you take the leap.  

1. The money is good

A sales career is often attractive due to the money it can generate. However, the amount of money you can earn depends upon the product you are selling. According to Monster.com, if you want to earn a six figure income, then you should probably deal in services or high margin products sold to businesses.

As per the website, consumer packaged goods, medical devices and digital sales earn the highest commissions. Your income also depends on your effort; depending on how much hard work you put in, you can earn either minimum wage or millions of dollars. 

2. You need to be a people’s person

You can only be a good salesperson if you are good at dealing with people and listening to them. Harvard Business Review regards empathy as a crucial characteristic of a good sales person.

​An empathetic person is better able to interpret customers’ reactions and adjust sales pitch accordingly.

3. You will have to deal with rejections – and a lot of them! 

While we all have to deal with rejection at some point or the other, sales people have to face it almost on a daily basis. So if you are someone who can get easily demotivated by rejection, you should reconsider your decision. You can only thrive in sales, if you take no’s as a pathway to yeses. 

4. You will be independent 

The best part about a sales job is perhaps that it gives you autonomy. Your company will assign you a target and it will be up to you how you achieve that goal. Companies do have a sales pipeline template that you might have to follow. However, at the end of the month, your company will be only concerned with whether or not you achieved the target. 

5. Job security

Regardless of how the economy is performing, sales jobs are always in demand because they drives business. So even if there is a recession, companies need to sell their products and for that they need people. Also, since turnover rate of sales jobs is typically higher, there is always demand for sales people. Plus, once you develop sales skills, you can easily switch industries. 

6. Long working hours 

A sales job is nothing like the traditional 9 to 5 job. Work hours can be long and unpredictable. Since sales people are directly in contact with the company’s clients, they have to operate according to the clients’ schedule, which means they have to make room for unexpected meetings and appointments. The plus side, however, is that you don’t have to follow a strict schedule. You can manage your own time. So, apply for a sales job only if working flexible and odd hours sounds reasonable to you. 

7. Compensation

Working hours may be long. However, they do come with a lot benefits. Apart from high salaries and fat commissions that sales people get, they are also entitled to other compensations such as a company car, cell phone and fuel compensation.

​8. It can be stressful 

Even though the rewards are high, there is a lot of uncertainty involved in the job because your pay is not fixed. Your earnings are largely dependent on the commissions you get, which in turn are dependent on the sales you make.

​So, in the case when the economy is slow or your company is not performing well, you might not be able to achieve your target. However, you can counter this factor by saving up when you are performing well. 

9. Growth opportunities

The skill set you develop with a sales job makes it easier for you to progress. If you are a successful sales person, you can easily become a sales manager and then a regional manager and so on and so forth. Apart from that, a sales job also improves your confidence and public speaking skills.

​Moreover, the more people you meet, the more your network grows. So in case you want to set up your business in the future, these benefits will pay off. 

10. It is fun

Often working people complain of monotony in their lives, but with a sales job every day is a new day.

​If you love what you to do, then each day will be exciting since you will get to meet new people and devise new ways to increase sales. Other than that, huge financial rewards, flexible hours and travelling add to the thrill.

11. It gives you a sense of satisfaction

The sales department is an integral part of the company that is responsible for its growth or failure. Since you will be contributing to such an important part, closing a deal or increasing sales gives you a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

A sales job has an entrepreneurial touch to it; you earn what you put in. So, if you are giving your 100% to a deal, you know you will be getting the reward in the form of commission. 

There are always pros and cons attached to every career choice, but you need to do a cost-benefit analysis to see what is best for you. A sales career can be quite rewarding if you are a right fit.

If you think you are someone who hates a monotonous life and loves variety and interaction with people, then you should apply for a sales job. Remember, you will only succeed at something if you enjoy doing it.    

Written By
Human Resources Today