Working in Sales can sound high-pressure and daunting to even the most confident and outgoing of us. If it’s hitting unattainable targets or facing contact rejection. Here are 7 Myths working in sales that hopefully put your mind at ease and explore a lucrative career option!
1. You have to be a natural-born salesperson.
The Truth: Being a people person with a friendly and engaging nature can never be faked. However, there are soft skills that can be learned over time, including the ability to nurture a positive customer relationship by showing empathy and dedication.
2. You need to be an extrovert to succeed
The Truth: Many customers enjoy the showmanship often associated with selling but just as many find such theatrical behaviour rather off-putting.
Selling is sophisticated and nuanced. The successful salesperson reads reactions to fine-tune both persona and approach – without ever losing integrity.
3. You need to have the ‘gift of the gab’.
The Truth: The salesperson who won’t stop wisecracking is wasting everyone’s time. It’s important to know the technical details and merits of a new washing machine or insurance policy but these should be discussed. This involves listening, as well as talking, to find out what a customer needs and wants. The best salespeople are great listeners- this is how they keep the customer satisfied.
4. Sell, sell, sell – it’s all about the numbers.
The Truth: If the product or service does not have to be tailored to the customer in any way, reaching out as often as possible will inevitably reap rewards.
But when it comes to high-value sales, more calls don’t always equal more orders. In deals where there’s a large investment, the focus is more on taking time to understand needs than finding bespoke solutions.
5. You must be ruthless and sneaky.
The Truth: This stereotype of a salesperson is, thankfully, a thing of the past. Today’s salespeople work to establish codes of conduct and the most successful are those whose expertise is matched by honesty and integrity. This combination not only sells but also creates long-term client relationships.
6. Sales is about being stuck on forecourts, in showrooms or on the phone.
The Truth: The modern sales world is packed full of innovation and the day job can involve making podcasts, offering video links and creating strategies for social media. It’s great fun and gives you skills that can be transferred to other job sectors.
7. Salespeople are notorious for vanishing after a deal.
The Truth: Today’s sales pros know they must work way beyond the sale. This means being there for customers even for weeks or months after a deal.
Ready to ‘sell me the pen’?
Start your search for a sales role now!