Working in sales is more than just a profession – it’s also an opportunity to flourish and build successful relationships. By persuading and influencing, you can achieve personal success and help people meet their needs. In this article, we will explore what it’s like working as a salesperson, why many people are attracted to the profession, and how to go about starting to work in sales.
What it’s like working as a salesperson?
Working as a salesperson can be both an exciting and challenging experience. Sales is a professional role that requires you to be motivated and has the ability to communicate and persuade. Every day you meet people and have the opportunity to influence their buying decisions.
As a salesperson, you need to be flexible and adaptable, as you often work with different products and customers. It’s about being able to create a strong relationship with customers and understand their needs to offer them the right solution.
One of the most rewarding aspects is the opportunity to achieve sales goals and get rewarded for their hard work. It gives a sense of accomplishment and motivates you to continue to grow and develop. In addition, you will develop valuable skills such as negotiation skills, problem-solving, and self-confidence.
At the same time, dealing with rejections and negative reactions from customers can be challenging. As a salesperson, you need to have patience and the ability to see failures as opportunities for learning and improvement.
Different types of sellers
It is important to remember that there are different types of sellers. If you work at a company that manufactures products, you will sell goods to retailers, retailers, and other industrial companies. But you can also work with selling services – and you can also be an outdoor salesperson or an inside salesperson.
Outside sales
An outside salesperson works outside the company’s physical premises to meet and interact with customers directly. Outdoor sellers visit places where customers are located, such as businesses or homes, to present and sell products or services. They may also be responsible for creating and maintaining relationships with existing customers, managing negotiations, pursuing sales, and identifying new business opportunities.
Since outside salespeople have direct interaction with customers, good communication skills and the ability to build trust are important. They must be responsive to customer needs and be able to adapt their presentations and sales strategies to achieve success. Traveling and working outside the office can be a normal part of an outdoor salesperson’s everyday life.
Inside sales
An inside sales rep works within the company’s physical premises, usually in the office, to conduct sales activities and interact with customers remotely. Some salespeople even work from home. Instead of meeting customers in person, inside sales reps usually contact customers by phone, email, or other digital communication channels.
Inside salespeople focus on establishing and maintaining relationships with existing customers as well as searching for new customer opportunities. They may be responsible for responding to customer inquiries, providing price quotes, providing product information, handling orders, and resolving any customer issues. By using various communication tools and sales techniques, they strive to effectively communicate with customers and meet their needs.
Inside salespeople must be skilled at building relationships over distance and have good communication and negotiation skills. They often work closely with other internal departments such as marketing and customer support to ensure that customer requirements and expectations are met.
Why do you want to work as a salesperson?
Working as a salesperson can be motivating for several reasons, and there are many reasons why people are interested in the sales profession.
Many appreciate that it is both challenging and dynamic. Being a seller means meeting new people, dealing with different situations, and having the opportunity to influence buying decisions.
Another reason is the potential financial reward. As a seller, you are often linked to sales performance and may have the opportunity to earn good commissions or bonuses based on performance. If you are driven by working towards financial goals, the sales profession can be attractive.
The sales profession also offers the opportunity for personal development and growth. You can develop valuable skills such as negotiation skills, problem-solving, communication, and entrepreneurship. Working as a salesperson often involves a continuous learning process and opportunities for professional development.
Is it easy to get a job working as a salesperson?
Below we give suggestions on how you can get into the sales profession and start working as a salesperson:
1. Education and knowledge: Formal education is not always necessary to become a salesperson, but it can be beneficial to have basic knowledge of sales and marketing. You may consider taking courses or training in these areas, for example in sales techniques, marketing, or business administration.
2. Practical experience: Gaining practical experience is essential to becoming a salesperson. You can apply for internships or assistant roles in sales to gain basic experience and an understanding of the sales process.
3. Develop sales skills: To become a successful salesperson, it is important to develop and improve your sales skills. It includes communication, negotiation, relationship building, and problem-solving. Various training programs, workshops, and courses can help you improve your skills and learn about methods and sales techniques.
Do you or your salespeople need to improve your sales skills? Then you can book sales training with us at Salesonomics.
4. Build networks and apply for jobs: Building a professional network in sales can help gain insight into the industry and job opportunities. You can attend events, join trade associations or engage in professional networks to make contacts. In addition, you can apply for jobs in sales by submitting applications to companies that advertise for sellers, or by contacting companies directly and showing your interest in any open positions.
We at Salesonomics help with recruiting and onboarding your new salespeople. Contact us for more information about what we can offer your company.
5. Continued learning: Being successful as a salesperson means being committed to continuous learning and development. Continue reading about sales trends, follow industry-related blogs and articles, and attend training or seminars to stay up-to-date and improve your skills.
It’s also worth noting that there are different types of roles and industries to consider, including business-to-business (B2B) sales, business-to-consumer (B2C) sales, retail, and e-commerce, among others. Depending on your interests and talents, you may choose to specialize in a particular niche.
What makes a good salesperson?
A good salesperson is distinguished by their successful methods and qualities that put them in a favorable position to reach sales goals. Their ability to build strong and trusting relationships with customers is one of their main assets. By showing honesty, trustworthiness and actively listening to customer needs, they can create a positive interaction based on trust.
Communication is a key factor for a good salesperson. A good salesperson masters the art of clearly and effectively conveying information about their products or services. By adapting their message to the customer’s specific needs and actively listening to their opinions and feedback, they can create meaningful dialogue and value for the customer.
It is also important to understand the customer’s needs and problems. By analyzing and identifying how a product or service can solve the customer’s challenges, they can offer a tailored solution that creates trust and increases sales. Flexibility is another important characteristic. You are capable of adapting to different situations and customer needs.
Do you also want to become a skilled salesperson? We will guide you in our article on how to become a good seller.
How much do you earn as a seller?
So, what is a regular salary for someone who works as a salesperson? Salaries can vary based on several factors, including industry, sales level, experience, geographic location, and type of sales (for example, B2B or B2C).
Generally speaking, sellers can expect a combination of a base salary and commission, or bonus based on sales performance. The base salary is affected by experience and position, while the commission or bonus may vary based on sales volume and goals achieved.
At the entry-level level, a salesperson can expect an annual base salary that often ranges from around 20,000 SEK to 40,000 SEK. More experienced salespeople or sales managers can earn significantly more, with a monthly income ranging from 50,000 SEK to several hundred thousand or more, depending on their performance and responsibilities.
However, it is important to note that these figures are approximate and may vary depending on various factors, such as industry, company size, and financial situation. It is always best to research specific companies and industries to get a more accurate idea of salary levels.
