Work in sales and you’ll be familiar with the perks. These can range from discounts on products to big bonuses for hitting targets.
In car sales perks come in the shape of shiny new cars, while in the travel industry they include familiarisation trips to some of the most desirable locations on the planet.
On s1jobs you can find vacancies in these sectors and many more – and while some opportunities require specialist knowledge, what’s unique about sales is that skills are transferable from one sector to another.
This means know-how, experience, and talents not only build your reputation but also make you endlessly employable.
So what are the key attributes?
Listening
It’s not about you, it’s about the customer. Your job is to deliver for them and to do this you must first identify what they want. But this doesn’t always mean giving them what they ask for – your product knowledge is extensive so by listening hard, questioning carefully and reading the signals you can sell them what they really need. Do this right and they’ll come back for more.
Negotiation
Not everyone wants to pay the price on the ticket. In business-to-business situations you’ll be dealing with highly skilled buyers whose job it is to pay as little as possible for goods and services. Even among the general public there are customers who will always drive a hard bargain. Just ask Granny Ina! For an experienced sales professional, such negotiations are an enjoyable challenge with the aim of achieving a win-win outcome that keeps everyone happy.
Persistence
Long after the lightweights have given up, you’ll still have a target in your sights. You don’t let anyone get away from you, but you have such a knack of dealing with people you can keep after them without making them feel they’re being stalked. When your determination begins to flag remind yourself it took James Dyson 5000 prototypes before he had a hit vacuum cleaner on his hands . . . and on carpets worldwide.
Worldwide network
Central to the six degrees of separation theory is the idea some people are communication hubs. They really do know everyone. And you are one of them – because you network. When sales are flagging, targets are slipping and others panicking, you know who to call to get things back on track. You have the uncanny ability to put yourself in the way of prospects, almost before they realised they needed what you were selling.
For the most up-to-date Sales vacancies visit s1jobs