A career in sales can be extremely rewarding. You have the opportunity to help businesses grow and reach new heights while also earning a good income. But it’s not all easy money; a successful career in sales requires hard work, determination, and a lot of perseverance.
In this blog post, we will discuss what you need to know about a career in sales. We will cover the basics, such as the skills required and the average salary range, but we will also go in-depth into what makes a successful salesperson. If you’re thinking about starting or advancing your career in sales, this is the blog post for you!
What Is Sales?
At its core, sales is the process of convincing someone to buy a product or service. This can be done in person, over the phone, or even online. Salespeople are responsible for finding potential customers, building relationships with them, and then ultimately closing the deal. If you’re looking for a unique career that will really help you try new things, learn new skills and make great money, this is the right option for you.
How Much Can A Salesperson Make?
The average salesperson in the United States earns an average salary of $46,000 per year. However, top earners can make upwards of $175,000 per year. The amount you earn will depend on your experience, skillset, and the company you work for. However, the earning potential in sales is much higher than in most other professions. If you’re looking for a high-paying career, sale is a great option.
Why Should I Pursue A Career In Sales?
There are tons of reasons to pursue a career in sales. The most common reasons include:
High Earning Potential –
As we mentioned before, the average salesperson in the United States earns an annual salary of $46,000. But top earners can make upwards of $175,000 per year. If you want to make good money, sales are definitely the way to go. Most jobs in sales also offer commission, which means you have the potential to earn even more money. With a little bit of hard work, you can easily make a six-figure salary in sales.
Accessible Job Market
Another great reason to pursue a career in sales is that the job market is very accessible. You don’t need a college degree to get started in sales, and there are many entry-level positions available. Plus, once you have a few years of experience under your belt, it’s easy to find a new job or even start your own business, allowing you to work in a ton of different industries.
Work-Life Balance
Since most sales jobs are commission-based, you have a lot of control over your work-life balance. If you want to take a few days off, you can easily do so without having to worry about losing money. And if you want to put in extra hours to make more money, that’s also an option. This flexibility is perfect for people who want to have a good work-life balance.
Job Security
Sales is a stable industry, and jobs in sales are not going anywhere anytime soon. There’s going to be a 4.5 percent employment growth for sales representatives between 2020 and 2030. This means that if you pursue a career in sales, you can rest assured knowing that your job is secure. Plus, even if one job doesn’t look promising, you have the ability to find a new one relatively easily, whether that means technology sales or pharmaceutical sales.
Potential To Grow
A career in sales offers a lot of potential for growth. If you start in an entry-level position, you can easily move up to a management role or even start your own company. And as we mentioned before, the earning potential is also huge. With a little bit of hard work and dedication, you can make a lot of money in sales as well as grow within your abilities.
Transferrable Skills
There are tons of transferrable skills that you can learn from a career in sales. This includes communication skills, negotiation skills, people skills, networking, and more. These skills are valuable in a variety of industries, which means that if you ever decide to leave sales, you’ll have no problem finding a job in another field as you’ll be able to transfer your skills easily.
Networking Opportunities
With a career in sales, you have the opportunity to network with a lot of different people. You’ll meet potential customers, other salespeople, and more. These networking opportunities can help you further your career by opening up new job prospects or even helping you start your own business. This is a valuable part of sales that many people overlook.
Ability To Travel
If you love to travel, a career in sales is perfect for you. Many jobs in sales involve traveling to meet with clients or attend trade shows and conferences. This means that you’ll be able to see different parts of the country or even the world while still earning a good salary. If traveling is important to you, a career in sales is definitely worth considering.
Variety Of Work Opportunities
As we mentioned before, there are many different types of sales jobs available. This means that you can find a job that perfectly suits your interests and skills. Whether you’re interested in technology sales, media sales, or even car sales, there’s a job out there for you. Plus, as your career progresses, you can always switch to a different type of sales if you want to.
Competitive Market
The sales industry is very competitive, which can be both good and bad. On the one hand, it’s great because it pushes you to be your best and learn new skills. But on the other hand, it can be tough to stand out from the crowd. However, if you’re up for the challenge, a career in sales can be very rewarding.
Continual Learning
With a career in sales, you’re always learning. You’re constantly trying new things, meeting new people, and expanding your knowledge. This is a great opportunity for people who want to continuously learn and grow in their careers.
What Skills Do I Need For A Career In Sales?
Now that we’ve gone over some of the reasons why you should pursue a career in sales let’s discuss the skills you need to be successful.
Communication
The ability to communicate effectively is one of the most important skills you need for a career in sales. You’ll be talking to potential customers, clients, and more on a daily basis. If you can’t communicate your ideas clearly, you won’t be successful in sales. For example, let’s say you’re selling a new product. If you can’t explain to the customer why your product is better than the competition, they’re not going to buy it from you.
Negotiation
Another important skill for salespeople is negotiation. You’ll need to be able to negotiate prices, contracts, and more. This is a critical skill that can make or break a deal. For example, let’s say you’re trying to sell a car. If you can’t negotiate a fair price with the customer, they’re not going to buy the car from you.
Persistence
In sales, you’ll sometimes come up against the tough competition or difficult clients. When this happens, it’s important to be persistent. You need to be able to keep pushing forward even when things get tough. For example, let’s say you’re trying to sell a product to a client who already has a similar product. If you give up after the first rejection, they’re never going to buy the product from you.
Active Listening
Active listening is another important skill for salespeople. This means really listening to what the other person is saying and trying to understand their needs. This is important because it allows you to better tailor your sales pitch to the individual. For example, let’s say you’re trying to sell a product to a customer. If you’re not actively listening to their needs, you’re not going to be able to sell them the product they want.
Confidence
Confidence is also important in sales. You need to believe in yourself and your product. If you don’t, the customer is never going to believe in it either. For example, let’s say you’re trying to sell software. If you’re not confident about the software or your ability to sell it, the customer is never going to buy it from you.
Optimism
If you want to be successful in sales, you need to have a positive attitude. Things are going to go wrong sometimes, but it’s important to stay positive and keep moving forward. For example, let’s say you’re trying to close a deal with a client. But then the client tells you they’re not interested. If you get discouraged and give up, you’re never going to close the deal.
Time Management
You need to be able to manage your time effectively. This is important because you’ll often have a lot of balls in the air at once. You need to be able to prioritize and stay organized. For example, let’s say you’re trying to sell products to two different customers. But you only have time to meet with one of them. If you’re not able to manage your time, you’re not going to be able to sell both products.
Empathy
Empathy is another important skill for salespeople. This means being able to understand and share the feelings of another person. This is important because it allows you to connect with the customer on a more personal level. For example, let’s say you’re trying to sell a product to a customer who is going through a tough time. If you can’t empathize with their situation, you’re not going to be able to sell them the product.
Flexibility
In sales, you need to be able to roll with the punches. Things are always changing, and you need to be able to adapt. For example, let’s say you’re trying to sell a product to a customer. But then the customer changes their mind and wants something different. If you’re not flexible, you’re not going to be able to sell them the product they want.
These are just a few of the skills you need to be successful in sales. If you have these skills, you’ll be well on your way to a successful career in sales.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a stable, high-paying career with lots of potential for growth, sale is a great option for you. With an accessible job market and the ability to learn transferrable skills, there are many reasons to pursue a career in sales. So what are you waiting for? If you’re ready to find your next dream job, browse our open jobs or submit your resume today!