Have you ever had an older person say, “I wish I started when I was your age?” There goes your answer to the best age to start a career in sales.
When you find a career you enjoy at an early age, your knowledge and wisdom in that field will blossom, giving you a more significant chance to become highly successful.
As a salesperson, you’re utilizing your knowledge about your company’s products and services to make sales. Like anything else, the longer and the more experience you have, the better you will become.
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At What Age Can You Become A Salesman?
Most sales professions require their salespeople to be at least 18 years of age. That doesn’t mean younger individuals cannot work in sales because there are jobs that hire younger salespeople depending on the industry.
Overall, people of any age can apply for a sales job; however, in today’s world, most businesses and companies prefer young people as their sales representatives for many reasons.
- Younger people tend to be more tech-savvy.
- They can be molded at a young age into what their company is looking for.
- They’re not as prone to burning out
- They have fewer responsibilities, therefore, more time to focus on work.
- Younger people tend to also adapt to changes a lot easier.
This by no means disqualifies older people entering sales. If anything, their positives are:
- They must produce because they have a family to support
- Having experience of already working under pressure
- With their age, they tend to be more responsible
- Have the ability to know already how to deal with people
- Great communication skills
Is Sales A Promising Starting Career?
We all know one thing, nothing is promised but death and taxes. On the other hand, unbiasedly, there are excellent reasons to start a career in sales. And if you decided not to stay in sales and pursue another career path, the things you would have learned and picked up will help your next profession and everyday life.
Here are a few facts that prove that sales are a great starting career:
High Pay
Like anything else, it will pay off with abundance if you put in the necessary work. For most sales jobs, there’s no limit to what you can earn as a commission unless your employer caps it.
Clear Career Path
Entry-level sales positions might lead to management or business development roles later.
Personal Growth Opportunities
Sales jobs allow you to grow both professionally and personally. Constantly speaking to strangers, building instant relationships with people you just met, and catering to one’s problems and needs, will help you prosper in anything.
Always in Demand
Businesses need to sell their products, and they need people to sell for them. Therefore salespeople will always be in high demand.
Can A 17 Year Old Be A Sales Representative?
Yes, a seventeen-year-old can work as a sales rep depending on the profession.
One big positive for young sales reps is that most job opportunities don’t require much experience or require higher education. Much of it is on-the-job training, which gives very effective results.
You’ll notice many sales job offers on the job training, and one of the top qualifications is the willingness to learn.
If you want to build your confidence in sales and learn important life skills, consider a sales position as your first job.
What Is The IDEAL Age For A Salesperson To Be Their Best?
Of course, with more experience, the better someone can perform. But I’ve seen young sales reps in their early twenties, and other sales reps in their sixties perform at extremely high levels while making millions of dollars.
Typically, you can assume that the ideal age for a salesperson to be really good is a few years in their position.
For a salesperson to be at their absolute best will be roughly ten years into their profession because they’ve been through all the good and the bad. They learned how to raise their standards in sales and figured out how to handle anything that came their way.
Experience is always king. And that goes with any profession and in any job.
Can You Ever Be Too Young Or Too Old To Be In Sales?
You can never be too young or too old to be in sales.
That little kid at their lemonade stand, or that other kid running a garage sale, or that other kid knocking on doors selling cell phones; none of them are not too young to be in sales.
That older person running around with a wind of energy making consistent sales over and over is not too old to be in sales.
The beauty of sales is there’s little discrimination. As long as you know your products, you’re consistently presenting to new prospects, and you have the energy to always be closing, you’ll never be too old or young to be in sales.
A few reasons why age doesn’t matter in sales are:
- Business relationships do not depend on age.
- Results are all that matter.
- As long as you’re coachable.
- As long as you have the drive to grow and close deals.
The Truth About Older People In Sales
Older people in sales are not a myth. They exist, and they’re making big sales numbers.
The beauty about an older person in sales is their experience. They’ve been around, and they know how to get things done. And usually, they have a great network that can help them land deals easier than most people.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of negative assumptions about older people entering sales. They’re sometimes considered un-coachable, aren’t tech-savvy, and so forth. But to be honest, there’s a negative belief about an older salesperson for every negative thought about a younger salesperson.
For example, a younger salesperson might be considered inexperienced, not know the industry well enough, and not have good judgment.
The bottom line is: don’t believe everything you hear. If you’re an older person considering sales as a profession, go for it! If you’re a young person looking to get into sales, go for it!
Age is nothing but a number. The best salespeople are the ones who understand their products, know how to sell them, and always close the deal.
Sales is a profession that offers many opportunities regardless of age. There are advantages and disadvantages to being a young or old sales representative, but ultimately, the drive and commitment to succeed will matter most.
Can You Start A Sales Career In Your 30s?
Yes, you can start a sales career in your thirties. If you’re dedicated to your career and do whatever it takes to get where you want, then it will happen.
You will be working with other sales reps with much more experience, but you can use that to your benefit by humbling yourself and learning from your talented colleagues.
Sales have the reputation of being a young person’s game, but many older people in sales do just as well, if not a lot better than the younger people they work with.
Conclusion
Sales is a profession that offers many opportunities regardless of age. There are advantages and disadvantages to being a young or old sales representative, but ultimately, the drive and commitment to succeed will matter most.
Remember to play to your strengths, be coachable, and stay prepared.
If you want to get into sales, don’t let your age discourage you. You can be successful at any point in your career.
