Sales jobs

[I-am-someone]

I've gotten the intention of getting myself a job in sales. However, I am next to clueless on the kinds of sales jobs there are.

Basically I am looking for a general sales job, but I'm mostly looking for the face to face, having to more or less convince somebody of buying a product kind of sales. The problem is, I can't think of any stores that require this kind of sales, because almost all stores work entirely from behind the counter with no other interaction than "Hello" and "Goodbye".


I'll give you guys an idea of the kinds of sales jobs that I know already.
I worked on an outside market selling fruits and vegetables for a year, but eventually I decided to stop working there because of the bad timing and the physical drain. If I were to start working there again it would be good for my physical condition, but it would basically mean I'd be unable to go out so I guess that's not going to happen. Also, those kinds of sales aren't really that great for as far as ones people skills go.
My brother worked as a salesman selling cellphones for about a year. He certainly learned a lot from that, but I'm don't really want to do the same kind of work as he did. I may know a fair bit about cellphones but I'd rather do something different.
My father has been into sales for large companies for 30 years, selling products by the millions and doing business with entire companies. This kind of work pays very good, but always requires you to work there full-time. Ofcourse I do still need to finish my school, so this really isn't an option just yet.


Does anybody know any other potential sales jobs that I could look in to? I'd really appreciate any idea given (no matter how strange ).

 

[Gangster Of Love]

Basically, every sales job worth the time will require you to work from a little to a lot more than you probably are looking to for now. To be successful and make it worth your effrort you'll need to put in a little bit more time than it is comfortable, specially at first. With that being said, here are some ideas:

-Gym/fitness club memberships. You will get to talk to a lot of people, and people that know people.

-Cars.

-Insurance/Broker

-Mortgage. These make tons of money, but it is a full time job.

-Any store that sells stuff you're into. Clothes, music instruments, computer/video games, electronics, etc.

 

[I-am-someone]

Those are some pretty good idea's Gangster. I'm definitely going to see if I can get a job in some of the things you suggested. I esspecially like the gym/fitness club idea because that might get me free access to a gym, and there happens to be a humongous membership club only 15 minutes from here.

 

[Alpine]

Some things to think about might be:

Why do you want to be in sales? Is it a way to meet people, make lots of money, a job anyone can do and walk into?

Do you think it's important that you have an interest in the product or the service.

Do you see it as a long term career or make a lot of money quickly, then do something else?

 

[Cheiradawg]

You can be a financial advisor for AMEX. They will hire anybody.

 

[I-am-someone]

Alpine, to answer your questions (for myself and for you to read):

I want a salesjob, first of all because I like dealing with people. Second I believe that being able to sell something to someone is a great skill to have, no matter what. Selling things requires a lot of skills that are also required with women, but not just that, I want to be able to sell my business plans to investors as well as the products my businesses are going to produce in the future.

No, I do not consider it important to have an interest in the product or service I am selling. I'm a quick learner and I like learning about new things. It's only important when the amount of time it takes to get to know a product is more than a few months.

It's a way to make money, while learning skills I like learning, nothing more. I have greater plans for my future than working in sales for the rest of my life.

 

[Alpine]

I am.

I've read your reply. Try to get a hold of Tom Hopkins Officail guide to success and aslo The art of selling.

The latter is a bit off putting for a beginner but will give you some insight, and will be useful if you can demonstrate some sales skills at interview (after all you are selling yourself)

Find out about training, the best companies will have ongoing, external training. Personally I'd be impressed with someone who takes responsibilty for training themselves, reagrdless of the company scheme.

Bear in mind some retail 'sales' jobs are really order taking low paid jobs.

Top earners are in all industries though. 'Generally' the longer the lead time the higher the commission, and 'generally' intangables are better paid too.

Good luck

 

[I-am-someone]

Thanks for the advice on the books and the work, Alpine. I am wondering though, what do you do for a living?

I'm personally leaning towards selling big, expensive products. They're generally a challenge yet keep you in an open environment, talking to a lot of people.

 

[Alpine]

I own a headhunting company that specialises in Sales for a certain niche industry, so I think I'm qualified to offer my two penneth.

Try to find something you are genuinely interested in and understand that it's a profession. It's the best paid hard work and the worst paid easy work.

Some people are better selling cars, boats planes, others services and intangible concepts. I like both but did better with intangibles.

Never stop reading sales books, even when you think you know it all. I'm currently reading a Bert Schlain book that was out of print. I had it shipped from the states.

Find a Mentor whose a consistent top earner.

Learn to master your brain, emotions and behaviour, for some reason people don't twig how important this is.

Also don't become the sort of creepy sales type that gives the pros a bad name.

Enjoy

 

[I-am-someone]

Hey Alpine, have you ever read this book? It sounds pretty good, if you haven't it might be a good read, if you have I'd like to hear your opinion about it.

 

[Alpine]

Hi,

I've not read that. I have read the other Maltz book PC which is a classic, but not sales, he was a plastic surgeon if I remember.

PC is a good book for your inner game but I'd stick to sales books by top producers in sales. Got hold of a hardback copy of 'Hardball' the a day, there are a few nuggets in that.

Just to cover this thing about retail outlet 'order taking' type sales, you want to avaoid that, it's not sales. However if they 'allow' you to sell if you want, and maybe even get a small commission, you will stand head and shoulders above your peers.

It's also a good environment to practice on people whilst earning a steady, if low, income.

Read the books, utilise the knowledge, even in everday situations so you really understand and can apply it, then when you go for a 'proper' sales job, your skills and obvious volition will get you the job.

Does that make sense to you?

 

[Julian]

Sales job? nothin like pushin dope or slingin yayo to learn some people skills.

 

[I-am-someone]

Hey Alpine,

I'm ordering the Psycho Cybernetics book and I'm looking for more books to order. I tried looking for the "Hardball" book, but there's so many books out there with Hardball in the title it's somewhat hard to figure out which one you're talking about

I looked at some of the stuff of Tom Hopkins and read some descriptions of the official guide to success but it just didn't quite seem like my own mindset nor all that helpful. I've already ordered "How to Master the Art of Selling", along with PC.


Everything you say makes perfect sense to me - I think I mentioned earlier that my dad was in sales for a long time. I am said to be the one most like my dad, so I probably do have some of this stuff imprinted in my genes and through my upbringing.
I do agree though, there is still a lot of theory and methodology that I need to learn, so that's why I'm getting these books.

I've already decided what kind of sales job I'm looking for from your earlier posts and it happens to be exactly what you just said; a job where I can really practice my sales skills instead of practicing how fast I can use the cash-register. There's a lot of jobs out there with completely different properties. My first priorities right now however aren't to get a job, they're to graduate, move to the city into my own room and to figure out what I'm going to study.

I still need to know the author of that book "Hardball"

 

[Alpine]

Got your message, try on amazon robert shook, hardball selling, paperback.

edit:actually, Hardball is a bit advanced and may put you off, get it by all means but it may be a while before it's useful.

OK here's how your new job will go.

Before you start you'll be excited, but nervous.

You'll get all enthusiastic as it kicks off.

Then something really sh1ty happens and you feel like sh1ty.

You soldier on and something else gives you a knock.

Then you doubt whether you can ever make it.

It is at this point that you decide one way or another whether you're gonna say 'This is not for me, because.......'

Or you say 'I'm gonna do this one way or another because......'

Remember these words when it happens.

Take care.