8 Excellent Reasons To Consider A Career In Sales
On the outside looking in, a career in sales may seem luxurious and exciting. Successful salespeople are often placed on a pedestal and seen as the most influential and engaging people in the room. If they aren’t busy meeting with high net-worth executives at your favorite company, they are traveling from place to place and globe-trotting all before the age of twenty-five. They are the toast of any cocktail party and people clamor to tag along for a dose of their winning personality, wherever they go.
Sounds appealing right? In one word: yes. And that’s why so many people often ask the question, “Is a career in sales right for me?”
But is this what it’s really like? Are successful salespeople always on top of their game? Do they enjoy every minute of every day in the field meeting new prospects and clients? While this may be how it appears on the surface, what you don’t see is the long hours and countless rejection and failures that those same people face on a daily basis.
While it is easy to get caught up in all of the glamor and glitz of seemingly successful careers that seemingly require no prior work experience, it’s important to realize just how difficult of a business sales actually is.
It may be the oldest profession in the book, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
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Common Myths About The Sales Profession
So before we start, let’s cover some grounds for those thinking about getting into sales by dispelling some myths about salespeople and the sales profession.
Myth #1: Most salespeople make a lot of money.
According to Zippia, the average salesperson makes $26,195. The best-paid 10 percent earn more than $90,000 a year — but that includes commissions on whatever they sell. For straight salary, the top end is about $80,000.
In other words, if you don’t like to sell or can’t sell, getting into sales will probably mean a pay cut for most people. The thing about most sales jobs is that there’s a low barrier to entry. Especially, in a 100% commission-based role. They’ll typically hire anyone with a pulse, and sell them the dream of riches & wealth.
Unfortunately, that never happens for most – due to a variety of reasons, but mainly, a lack of solid sales training. If you’re thinking about getting into sales because you’ve heard the stories of the rock-star salesperson who takes home $1 million + per year, also please realize that it wasn’t an overnight success. For most who get to this level: it’s because of years of dedication, focusing on the long-term, practice, and a bit of luck. Just like any other successful business.
Myth #2: All sales jobs require cold calling.
Not true. While sales is an extremely competitive profession, there are many different avenues to get involved. A few examples of non-cold calling jobs in sales include account managers and more customer-relationship focused positions. You can consider roles that only deal with warm leads. Learn more about the difference between warm leads and cold leads.
While I think cold calling is a fantastic way to build and grow a business in sales — I also understand that it’s not for everyone. For some, it even leads to debilitating cold calling anxiety.
Myth #3: It’s a young person’s game.
The average age of a salesperson is 45 to 50 years old, and many people work in sales well into their 60s and beyond. If you want to stay employed but get away from selling, think about another field instead.
The average age of an employed sales representative is 46 years old. Basically, there is no age limit when it comes to providing solutions for others.
Myth #4: Sales is all about closing.
Most of the time, yes. However, there is a role for non-closing positions in sales, and their focus is strictly on generating new leads or qualifying. However, these positions are considered starter roles and will generally be paid much less than a “closing” role.
8 Reasons Sales Is A Fantastic Career Choice
With that out of the way, obviously, we think sales is a fantastic career choice for a number of reasons. So what makes sales such a good choice, anyway? Let’s get right down to it:
1) You get to be your own boss.
If you think entrepreneurship is great, but would rather have the safety net of getting a paycheck each week — being in sales may just be for you. As an entrepreneur, you are responsible for running and growing (or even maintaining) your successful business and having fun doing it. On the other hand, in sales, you have the liberty to choose when, where and who you want to work with (for the most part.) There are sales positions, however, where you’d be getting zero salary and only commissions — if you want the full experience of being your own boss.
2) You can make a sizable impact.
Not just talking about income here. As a salesperson, you have the ability to negotiate deals for the better of yourself, your prospect, your company, and everyone around you. You have the ability as a negotiator to really make a positive impact with anyone and everyone you speak to.
4) Work/Life Balance
Most jobs in sales offer a pretty decent work/life balance (if you need it.) Unlike the traditional 9-5 office worker, there is no set schedule that you must follow — which can allow people in sales to work around their personal schedule. For example, if you like to workout at 5 AM in the morning, but find yourself more productive during the day — many jobs in sales offer the ability to start your day early and still get everything done. You don’t have to work 9-5 to be successful, either.
5) It’s always in demand
Sales is a position that will never die. Products may change, technologies may change, companies may change – but being a solution provider will always be in demand. If you are a problem solver and someone that can provide value to others by helping them get what they need, sales is for you.
6) The sky’s the limit
There typically is a high cap in most sales organizations and in some cases, no limit to how much money someone can make in sales, If you’re good enough, of course. The sky is the limit in sales. If you are good enough, your income potential is limitless.
7) Sales will never get “boring.”
No matter how repetitive selling may be at times — it will never get boring. Every single day is different and every person you speak to has a different story (not always a happy one.) Understandably, some people like more routine, and more structure. You can structure your day as a salesperson, but the way you sell and the way your day goes will typically be different.
8) You can use it as a tool for life.
Use your skills in sales as a launching pad to other opportunities. Whether it’s starting a business or getting involved with an entrepreneurial situation, the ability to communicate and provide value will always be beneficial. The skills you learn as a salesperson, are all real-life translatable skills that can open doors, and benefit you in all walks of life.
Is Sales A Dying Position
I really didn’t think this needed to be addressed, but I might as well cover it again. I’ve heard this before, along with “Is Cold Calling Dead?” more times than I can count.
The reality is, your job as a salesperson is to find ways to provide value to the person you are selling to. That’s it!
Now let me ask you: Does that sound like something that will ever die? Absolutely not!
As I said earlier: Products change, people change, companies change, and technology definitely changes the way we do things over time. But helping people find a solution to their problems will always be in demand.
As a matter of fact, I believe as technology changes and improves rapidly, there will actually be a greater need for salespeople than before.
Is Sales A Good Long-Term Career?
Here’s a quick reality check. Most salespeople I knew started young and moved on to different career paths, relatively early. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that’s a bad thing — in fact, it makes them well-rounded individuals and much more valuable to any company.
The fact of the matter is, sales may not be the best long-term career path for everyone. For me, it was. I love being able to help other people, on a big level, and being in sales helps me to achieve that. I certainly believe that everyone needs some sort of sales experience in their background if they are looking to move up the ladder or change career paths at some point.
Do some people eventually get burned out of helping others and selling a service or product? Sure, why not. But I wouldn’t say it isn’t much different than anyone at any other career that gets tired of doing the same thing year in, and year out. I knew guys in IT for years who couldn’t stand it anymore and actually went into sales.
If you are still young and trying to figure out what you want to do for a long-term career — sales can be an amazing way to build skills that will carry into any position you decide on later in life.
If you decide to stick with sales for the long-term, I think it will be one of the most beneficial and rewarding things you ever do. The skills, relationships, and wealth you can amass from a successful, long-term career in sales, are unmatched.
Conclusion
I hope I have given you a little more insight into the benefits of being a salesperson. It’s certainly not for everyone, but it might be perfect for you.
The key is to never view yourself as just another cog in the wheel — no matter what position you are in. Sales have taught me that there are always opportunities if you look for them.
Keep your head up, and keep looking forward! You can do great things with a positive mindset and relentless work ethic. If you’ve been thinking about a career in sales — now might just be the perfect time to dive right in.
