If you are reading this article then I already know that you are an ambitious person. A sales job is no easy task, and definitely not for the faint of heart, so if you are after one, you must know that you are a go-getter who does not mind hearing 100 “no’s” before getting to a “yes”.
Well, there is some good news. First of all, executives are looking to hire in this field more and more, and the stronger you perform, the more quickly you’ll advance in the ranks. There are also a wider range of positions being offered, including ones with better pay and more promise of advancement.
That being said however, company executives are also getting better at hiring salespeople. These days, a hiring decision is rarely left up to just one interview like it used to be. Now, it is a complex process aimed at only recruiting the best and the brightest on board.
So, how do you make sure you stand out and get that sales job you really want? Your first plan of action would be to network. Never mind that; your first three steps in a plan of action should be to network, network, network! The more people you get to know, and the better you get to know them, the more likely they will want to do business with you. Don’t just probe them for opportunities though; make sure all your relationships are reciprocal ones, where both parties give and take equally.
Second, make sure you have a clear objective in mind. Understand know your own strengths and weaknesses and what the expectations of you will be. Do you specialize in a niche area that would allow you to better focus your efforts? You know need to know what role you are interested in, and what you are capable of.
Third, you want to make sure that you’ve practiced, not only for the upcoming interviews, but for the actual position. It takes a certain amount of guts to be able to sell anything to anyone at anytime, and only practice will get you to that level, a level you need to be at to succeed in the field. In both your interview and career, you need to be polished and confident, two things which only come with practice.
Finally, you want to be able to add value to those you’re working with. Whether it’s a new company, or a customer, a sales job is about positioning yourself to help those around you. Much like the way you would sell a product to a customer, when you’re selling yourself for a position, you need to let others know how you can bring added value to the team.
In this industry, it is crucial that you never forget the golden rule – do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Put yourself in your boss’s shoes, or your customer’s shoes, and see things from their prospective. That is the surest way to get ahead.
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