What Does it Take to Work in Sales?

Getting to work in sales is often very appealing as it can offer the chance to work in a fast-paced environment where the rewards can be high.

However, there are a few things to think about before deciding whether to apply – including whether you have the right skills to do the job. Here, we look at what it takes to work in sales and the skills required to carve a successful career on the sales floor.

People Skills

Communication is absolutely vital in sales. If you don’t feel relaxed about speaking to new people, then sales probably isn’t for you. During an average day you will be speaking to clients on the phone, addressing colleagues in meetings, giving presentations on figures and generally using your communications skills all day. You also have to display confidence when speaking so, in that sense, sales isn’t for the faint hearted. Being a people person with the gift of the gab will take you a long way in this profession.

Knowing Your Tech

Whatever sales job you want to go into, using computers, phones, databases and even social media could be part of your job on a daily basis. Having that knowledge beforehand is helpful and will get you bumped up the list of candidates, especially if a company wants to employ someone they don’t have to train.

Enthusiasm

If you want to work in sales, it’s best to work in an area that you have a passion for or knowledge of. Ideally, having either or both of these will benefit you in the long term. Nevertheless, making sure your enthusiasm shows is very important. If you’re going to be working with a certain product repeatedly and trying to sell it, then actually knowing about it, and believing in it is key. Enthusiasm will reflect very positively with a future employer.

Selling Yourself

This should always apply to any job, but in sales if you can sell yourself, you can probably sell anything. When writing your CV never be boastful or come across in an arrogant way, not only does it look bad, but it could rule you out of being considered for any other jobs with that company in the future. Instead, try to sound confident, knowledgeable and honest. Never make yourself out to be somebody you aren’t.

If you don’t already have some sort of sales experience, then do your homework and share your knowledge based on what you have researched. If you do have experience, go into detail about it to show what you have already achieved and could go on to do for them.

Keeping Calm

If you are lucky enough to get to the interview process, then remember, you’re only half way there. You’ve reached the next round and now you have to push yourself to impress the interviewer. Try to keep calm, and take time answering questions. Rehearse answers to obvious questions i.e. “Why do you want this job?”, before you go and reply with an answer that shows your keen interest in and understanding of the role.

Perhaps you like working within a fast-paced environment, or you have admired that company for a long time and want to prove you can be a part of their sales force. Whatever the question, try to be clear and concise in your answers, selling yourself honestly.

Ready to apply for sales jobs? Check out the latest vacancies on Fish4jobs today.