Thinking of starting a career in sales? If so, buzzwords like commission and uncapped have probably pricked up your ears. If you enjoy influencing people and hitting goals, you could really thrive in the sales industry. For the right type of person, it can be an incredibly exciting career. But be warned: sales will give you those high moments, but it will also humble you with some lows. But if you’re a thrill-seeker, sales could be the ride for you!
So before you jump into your job search, take a look at these key things you should know before starting a career in sales.
B2B means Business to Business. This is where companies earn money by selling to other companies. B2C stands for Business to Consumer. This is when companies sell to individuals. B2B tends to be more lucrative than B2C. That’s because companies have bigger budgets than individual consumers. B2B sales actually account for 44% of the UK’s business turnover.
Before accepting a sales job offer, you’ll want to find out if you’ll be doing inbound or outbound sales. Inbound sales is when customers contact the company first. They already have an interest in your product/service. Outbound is a bit tougher because you have to contact potential customers first. This is known as cold calling. And unfortunately, people aren’t always interested in what you’re selling! Outbound pays well. But be prepared to hear ‘no’ many times before you make a sale!
Another thing to think about is whether you want to see customers face to face. Some people thrive in this type of sales role and prefer in-person contact. But others prefer to be telephone-based. So consider this before applying.
Not all sales jobs are made equal. You’ve got sales roles selling low ticket items like mobile phone contracts. And you’ve got high ticket sales selling items like flash cars. Well, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that higher ticket items equal higher commissions. You may need to start out in a lower ticket sales role. But if you prove yourself there, it won’t be long before you start selling pricier items.
Again, not all sales roles are created equal! Some sales positions don’t come with any type of commission. But even when they do, find out how the bonus structure works. Here are 4 questions to ask in your sales interview:
Don’t just take the first sales role that comes your way. Make sure you think about what type of sales role you’ll really thrive in first. Once you’re ready to start applying, be sure to check out our blog on the best skills for a sales CV.
Ready to get applying? Take a look at our latest sales jobs!
Vanessa Ramkissoon | Recruitment Content Expert
