I have been working in Recruitment/Sales for the past 7 years. My experience has been a roller coaster of good times and bad times and more than once I have convinced myself this isn’t the career for me… yet here I am!
In today’s post, I wanted to share some of the ups & downs I have experienced working in sales. Whether you are considering a move into sales, already work in sales or have no interest in sales at all, I hope you find this an interesting read!
Why a career in Sales?
One of things I love about sales is the versatility. The skills you develop through working in sales can be applied to all industries and even in everyday life. I am super thankful for my ability to negotiate a better deal when buying a new phone, insuring my car, or even purchasing something from a market stall! With good sales experience, you will improve your ability to build strong professional relationships, a quality that is essential in most aspects of business.
Most people I speak to who work in sales, no matter the industry, will almost always say it’s something they “fell into”. Not many people grow up thinking they want a career in sales, but the fact that almost anyone can find work in a sales role brings me onto my next point. I love the diversity you find in this line of work. I didn’t have the opportunity to go to University, however I work alongside colleagues with MSc degrees in Biology, Politics, Psychology, Law… the list is endless. Good salespeople come from so many different backgrounds and the diversity in age, education, experience, nationality etc. is fascinating to have in the team.
Let’s talk money. It’s no joke that good salespeople, within good companies, can earn A LOT of money. A career in sales is one of the only places you can earn such good money, with little-to-no educational requirements. Commission based roles can be extremely rewarding, as how much you are paid is a direct reflection of your achievement in the role. For the ‘work-hard-play-hard’ type, this is one of the most appealing parts to a career in sales.
The not so nice….
So far, a career in sales sounds great doesn’t it?! And it can be…. but it is also hard graft and certainly not for everyone. Working in sales generally means working in a targeted environment. The focus on KPI’s (key performance indicators) will generally differ from company to company, but when you are targeted to make sales, there is almost always going to be someone tracking your performance and daily output. This can become incredibly high-pressure at times, especially if you are low on sales for the month, and can limit the amount of autonomy you have in your role. When assessing whether to make a move into sales, make sure you understand what your daily, weekly, monthly and annual targets are… it’s good to be ambitious, but are they realistic? If someone asking you for an update on your performance at the end of each day doesn’t appeal, maybe re-think the choice to move into sales.
The bad days are hard..
More often than not, things don’t go your way and it can have huge implications for your company/team and yourself. When you choose to work in an environment where big deals mean big pay slips, it can be devastating to lose out on a deal or have business drop out meaning you have to pay your commission back.
No one is your friend… one thing that I have found in sales is that most people are out for themselves! I have seen colleagues go behind each others backs to get deals done and quite often it ends in arguments. Not all sales environments are quite so cut throat, but it’s good to know what you’re getting yourself into upfront. If you are hugely driven by teamwork, then choose a sales role that requires a team effort. If you are hugely driven by independence and love a bit of competition, then you already have the makings of a good salesperson and can be less selective over the environment you work in.
Would I recommend it?
YES! The good days are great and the bad days are devastating. But working in sales means working in a fast-paced environment that focuses on the development of strong business relationships. I look back at my career so far with no regrets. Sales has given me the platform I need to accelerate my own development, with no formal education… just a good work ethic, the will to succeed and a lot of perseverance.
Thanks for reading my new blog… I hope you like the content so far. Please join the mailing list to receive updates every time I post and feel free to leave your thoughts and feedback!
Career Girl 