Why Choose a Career in Sales?

A sales career offers the opportunity of financial success and provides a sense of accomplishment and pride with each new sale. Read on for information about different types of sales positions, typical pay structures, along with what is expected from the sales person as well as a discussion of the potential of this career along with some considerations to think about.

Types

There are different types of sales jobs and various pay structures. One position called telemarketing, is performed through solicitations over the phone. Another form is sales, where a sales person works behind a jewelry counter in a department store, for instance. There is also what is called an outside sales position, this sales person solicits to homeowners or businesses by calling on them in person.
Some positions offer a combined salary and commission, another may be salary only or possibly just commission may be offered. There are also different types of commission structures. In some cases, only after a required sales quota is met will commissions begin. In other cases, commissions are received right from the first sale. Commissions are always based on sales, and may represent a percentage of the dollar amount of gross sales, or other times commissions may be based units sold, regardless of the dollar amount of the sale.

Benefits

A main reason for pursuing this career is because of the earning potential, but there are other benefits as well. Consider that a salesperson is typically trained to enhance and utilize their negotiation and persuasion skills, which can be beneficial in other aspects of life as well. A skillful sales person is usually able to sell almost anything once they have learned a particular product, and sales people with a successful track record finding themselves in demand, can often command larger salaries and higher commissions from prospective employers when job seeking.

Function

Basic functions of the sales person include learning the product or service they are selling. They must be able to answer any questions about it and be able to show the benefits to the prospect.
Prospecting, which is obtaining lead sources and calling on them, is part of the sales persons job as well. A sales person also follows up with clients they have sold to, making sure that even after the sale they are still happy with what they purchased. They also seek referrals from those clients, asking if they know others who may also be interested in buying from them.
A sales person will also always have sales goals set in place at all times. These goals may be set personally or through management.

Potential

A top sales person may have their own sales staff, gaining commissions from the members' efforts as well as her own. In many cases, it is quite natural for an employer to advance a successful sales person, allowing that person her own group or team of sales people to train and nurture along. As those people do well, so should the sales manager's personal earnings increase.

Considerations

Something to consider is that it will take time to get established and create a customer base. During this building period, particularly if your pay structure is based heavily on commissions, it's a good idea to have other personal money to draw from as needed. In some cases however, employers may pay a sales person in advance before sales are made, known as a "draw." This advance commission or draw will normally be required to be paid back at a later date out of future commissions. Also consider tha,t depending on what you choose to sell, it may take some time to learn the product thoroughly enough to be able to sell it. For instance, if you choose to sell mortgage loans as a loan officer would, it may take a full year to become fully knowledgeable in that field.