Tips for Getting a Job in Sales
A Few Helpful Notes for the Restless Job Seeker
It is well known that today’s economy is in a difficult position. However, what many people may not have noticed is that certain sectors seem to be showing signs of life, even despite this hardship. In sales, for example, recruiters have not ceased to scout for talent. Sure, it’s not as easy as it used to be to land the perfect sales gig, but for individuals with the right qualifications who are serious about their careers, there are significant opportunities arising.
If these types of opportunities are what you are looking for, there are a few things that you should know. The job market may be tough, but you can do yourself no harm by going into battle prepared. In this article, we will share with you a few of the most important things that you should know when looking for a complex sales position. If after reading through this blog post, you still need more assistance, check out the podcast that inspired this post titled “Getting A Sales Job” over at our companion podcast SalesRoundup.com.
But for now, let’s quickly go over some of the more important basics to finding a great sales job:
Know what you want.
I can hardly begin to tell you how common it is for even talented sales people to begin to look for a job without even giving a thought to what they want to get out of their new job. Does it make a difference to you whether you are selling tuna fish or time-shares? Perhaps in your mind you think that it doesn’t, but believe me, in the long run, you are going to care a great deal about what you are selling. If your heart is not in what you are doing, you will not be likely to achieve your full potential. You need to find a job where you can really engage with both the product and the selling process.
Know who can give you what you want.
Now, you need to make sure that the companies you are investigating can actually address your personal / professional desires. If not, move on to the next option; investigate another employer.
Do what you are good at.
Don’t apply for positions that you are heavily under-qualified for (or over-qualified for that matter). This is only likely to discourage you in the long run. Instead, you need to find a match, a position that compliments your unique skills. It will be worth it in the long run to make the extra effort required for finding this type of position.
Make your resume concise and focused.
Don’t beat around the bush about your achievements. Sales managers and recruiters want to see numbers regarding growth. Be as specific as possible about what you where able to accomplish at your former employer. Put your best foot forward, but make sure to avoid vagary.
Take care of the small details.
This stuff may seem trivial, but as the cliche goes, “The devil is in the details.” And believe me, this is no less true today than when it was first spoken by some frustrated craftsman working under different but equally frustrating conditions. These are things like the style of your resume, the cover letter, etc.
For example: you are probably sending your resume in electronically, so make sure that it looks as good on a computer screen as it does on paper. You should also make sure that it is easily accessible on all computer platforms.
Also, don’t give your resume an obscure name like “resume.pdf” or “33848.doc.” The title should include your name and any other relevant information.
The same principle applies to the title of your email. It should be clear and concise. If you were referred by someone, you could consider titling your email “referred by [referal's name].” This will get your reviewer’s attention quickly and make sure that they take a look at your information quickly. The more time you spend evening out these little quirks, the better. Even the smallest detail could be a deal breaker if you are up against several equally qualified applicants.
Check out our friend Doyle Slayton’s Sales Job Listing over at the SalesBlogcast! He has a huge listing of open sales positions!
Okay Now Tell us your tips! Leave a comment!
Good Selling
Mike & Joe
SalesRoundup Podcast
Taking a page from your “Selling in a tough economy”, It’s very important to show how you add value to the organization. Also you need to be able to contribute in a short period of time. Right now companies aren’t looking for results in 6 months, they need results now!
Right after, “Make your resume concise and focused”, I would suggest that sales job seekers develop a plan to reach their target audience of hiring-managers or HR people in the target companies. This could consist of going on LinkedIn to network your way to getting a name of someone at the company and making a direct contact, either by phone, email or the best is in-person. Make sure you know what you are going to say before you say it and even practice it with a friend or in front of a mirror. Little respect is given to sales people who don’t go the extra steps to make a direct contact or who don’t know the steps necessary to network ones-self into getting an audience with the appropriate manager. If you can’t do it to get yourself hired, will you be any better when you are on the job selling the companies products? Just a thought.
[...] But what if you’ve really done your homework, and you know that you’ve spotted a job that could be really great for you? You’ve sent in your resume, and you’ve been invited for an interview. How should you prepare so that you can maximize your chances? In this article, we’ll go over a few different ways that you can make sure that you get the most out of the interviewing process. If you still need more help, you’re in luck. There are plenty of resources available both on- and off-line that you can consult. For starters, check the podcast that inspired this post titled “Getting a Sales Job Perfecting The Interview Process.” [...]
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