Is a Sales Career the Opportunity For Me?

Is a Sales Career the Opportunity For Me? There are a lot of people interested in breaking into sales, whether it be auto, retail, business to business etc. For the right person sales can be the most rewarding career imaginable, both mentally and monetarily. Some people aren't aware that in the right market sales is one of the highest paying jobs, even during a recession The fact is people are going to have to spend money, so we're always going to need the salesman.

For a long time now, the word "salesman" has brought to mind, a greasy haired, fast talker asking you to sign a deal with the devil. This can be very off-putting to anyone considering entering the profession. But the old stereotypes are far fetched and out dated. You don't have to bamboozle people out of their retirement funds to make a living selling. There are plenty of legitimate opportunities selling quality products or services that will genuinely benefit consumers. The first question you need to ask yourself is "Am I a people person?" I know this sounds corny but it is 100% true. If you are easily embarrassed, or have little to no patience, sales is something that may not be right for you. In any given sales career you are going to experience a client who wants to ponder their decision endlessly, no matter how many closing techniques you throw at them. This is where patience comes in. If you react hastily, they will sense your desperation and this will throw everything out the window. Patience, a good personality, and plenty of people skills are key to enjoying a sales career. Another factor in making your decision should be what type of work environment you enjoy. People who do direct sales, for instance, enjoy being able to set their own hours. They set up appointments with customers, and handle follow ups without a set schedule. This sounds awfully tempting to everyone, but the fact is that if you're not motivated, you can easily find yourself wasting time and not keeping commits. Alternatively, people who work in retail have the benefit of having the customer come to them, but a lot of retail jobs pay only hourly, so no matter what persuasion skills you possess, your check is dependant on the clock. Figuring out what kind of work environment is best for you is a good way to decide if sales sounds like something you would enjoy, and also what type of sales you would be best at. In my opinion, one of the biggest factors in deciding if sales is the career for you, is what kind of pay you're comfortable with. At least 75% of sales jobs are either commission only, or a low hourly rate with commission bonuses. This means that you are truly in control of how much money you make. If you're highly motivated and selling a quality product or service, you have a huge earnings potential. With that being said, the idea of not being guaranteed an hourly rate or salary can be quite scary. If the bottom falls out of the market for the product you're selling, your pay is out the window. In the end, it all comes down to what will make you feel happy at the end of the day. Sit down and think about some of the points you've read and weigh the pros and cons for your particular situation. If you feel like it sounds enticing, but still a little scary consider starting with a company that offers a good hourly rate plus commission. This will help you get a feel for commission without taking the total plunge. Is a Sales Career the Opportunity For Me?