Entry Level Sales Position

[WORKEROUTER]

Little about myself. I'm 19. I'm a university student, but am taking a break and working full-time for a while. The reasons are many-fold. I began to feel like I was stagnating in school, not having a solid direction because I had no reference points to base the different directions on. Sometimes, the typical four-year track, immediately done sequentially after high school, isn't beneficial, and rather than pursue this path out of mere conformity, I decided to do what I felt was right, for now.

Anyway, in the past couple years, I've started two small businesses from scratch, one of which is not in operation anymore, but one which is decently growing, with lots of growth potential ahead.

In order to further build my busines acumen, as well as a deeper perception of the business world and how it works, I'm planning on working full-time as a customer service representative for a large photocopying firm. It's business-to-business sales, and from what I hear, provides a comparatively difficult sales position. At the same time, it's said that proving success in this field can open the doors to a multitutude of other lucrative areas.

But I'm at a dilemna. My good friend has a father who's an excellent business man. Self-made. Started selling business-to-business in an entry-level position at a young age, and graduated to a national sales manager, eventually pulling a very lucrative income. At the same time, he advises my friend NOT to go in this field because it's not always something you can get out of, once you're used to the income that accompanies it (if you're successful, that is).

However, I really do feel like getting my feet wet. This is going to help expose myself to a big life experience that may or may not lead to bigger things, but that definately would seem to dramatically build essential skills.

Any suggestions? Tips? Comments?

 

[Cruise]

What's up man...

When I was 21 years old, I joined a company named Primerica, which, if some know, has a multi-level marketing structure. Within 2 and a half years, I became the youngest person in Northern California history to become a Regional Vice President at 23 years old. Because of a huuuuuge campaign toward personal development, with the likes of sites like these and others, I literally went from a introverted follower to a charismatic leader with a team of over 120 licensed representatives on my team, all aging between 18-65 years old.

One thing that I could definitely say is this, "According to your faith, so be it unto you." Really, nobody is stopping you from whatever goals you want to accomplish. The question is really this: Is this career move in alignment with the bigger picture (vision) you have for yourself, and can you foresee that kind of career being a fulfilling career for you in the long term? In any case, if you have enough desire, you really wouldn't need anybody else to encourage you to pursue it.

But on the other side, as far as tips goes, I wonder if you actually have any prior sales experience. If you do, then great. Salespeople, especially seasoned ones, usually know what kind of market they have a lot of strength in. Find out if your presentation experience would be a good fit with what your career option is looking for. If not, then find out what is the fastest and most effective way with getting up to speed. Does your job have a sales training program? Are they effective? Can you find someone else who is successful in your company who's taken and has found benefit within that training program? Do consider, that if you walk in and try to slay a dragon and have never had the experience of even wrestling a fox, chances are, you're dead meat. As wrestlers and fighters like to say... "Get your weight up."

In any case, good luck with your pursuits.

"The world has a habit of making available everything it has to offer to him who demands it and who has the confidence he deserves it."

 

[backbreaker]

that doesn't make muich sense

"yeah man, don't do what I did and be successful, because once you start making money like me, you aren't going to want to stop"

some people, espically men, are as cluless to life as they are with women.

I didn't go to college, and after I started a successful company that put me making over 100k a year, and even after I sold it and cashed out, my dad still tells me i need to go to college so I can get that degree...because that's all jobs care about is that peice of paper.

Uh...yeah dad...go back to work taking luggage off of airplanes


once you learn how to sell, which is why I decided to sell cars before my business got off the ground, you are guarnateed a NICE income for the lrest of your life. I can walk in a car dealership right nwo and make about 120k a year at least. That "security" makes it okay for me to take risks that the average person couldn't take. I will never live on the street.


if I had a child that just turned 18 and didn't know what they wanted to do in life, I would send them to a car dealership to work sales... figure out what you want with the rest of yoour life without wasting my money on college drinking and partying

 

[CGE333]

Think about what you want to do with your life

I'm in sales and have been for a over 10 years. Think about what kind of a career you would like to have. I would bet that even it is not sales that skills you develop by being a salesperson can help you. For example, if you are an accountant of CFO of a company, you would have to sell your budget ideas to other members of the staff, other postions may require you to make presentations which you can gain experience doing from a sales job. If you want to have your own successful business- you will need to sell the business and yourself to customers, employees...

Good luck!!!

 

[WORKEROUTER]

Thanks all. I'm definately motivated to reaching my full potential in this field and will work hard doing it. Sales is the nuts and bolts of any business-oriented field. It makes sense to jump in and see what it's all about.

 

[Klippymitch]

Sale's is definately sometihng Im am interested in because not only is it something you can do to make money but it also builds character. I've been reading alot of books on this subject and will continue doing so for a year or two before I begin to take anymore steps.

 

[WORKEROUTER]

I say go for it.

You're young. This is a chance for you to learn something that will pave the road for your future. It's the fools who are so afraid of mistakes that go NOWHERE in life.

You've got to take risks and the way I look at it..this is a great opportunity. What have you got to lose? If anything, you WILL know whether this is the field for you.

Sales is an ENTIRELY different thing than anything out there! So don't listen to those people who tell you that you can't do it. ONly CERTAIN people can do sales. and if you CAN DO IT, you WILL succeed than all the other people who tell you that you can't do it. That's the reason why there's not a degree in sales. You can't teach people how to be persuasive, ambitious, and confident and outgoing. If you've read a single page off the DJ and APPLIED IT, you HAVE ALL THE TOOLS to become a king in sales.

Sales is INVALUABLE skill in all things in life.

Not only does it help YOU in becoming more persuasive, magnetic, and to step up your game...with the ladies.

It saves you a shytload of money.

I can't explain to you how many times I walk into a store....and I see a man who comes up to me and....keeps talking...and something clicks in the back of my head. "This guy is trying to sell me something."......."He's doing exactly the same thing I do to other people...."......and I don't fall for those jedi-mind tricks.

But a long story short...DO IT. What have you got to lose? Take this chance as an opportunity! If you excel in this field, you'll KNOW that you made the right move. And if you don't ...then you know that you weren't cut out to be a salesman. But regardless of what path you chose, this is a chance to learn and grow.

You're right on. I'm dedicated to being successful.

 

[KarmaSutra]

Killa is right youngbrother. While you're young and have the drive and desire you need to muster up the courage to take risks and be damned willing to chance losing it all. One of my personal achievements which has helped to dictate and keep me steadfast is buying my first house at 18. Sold it to the Florida DOT for almost 4 times what I paid in a 7 year investment. My point is I saw the chance and grabbed it. I could have easily blown my down payment money on chicks or junk but chose to invest in my future by risking what I had and it pays for itself every single day.

That, my friend, is a life lesson.

I extend my hand to you youngblood. Good luck.

 

[comic_relief]

I say go for it.

You're young. This is a chance for you to learn something that will pave the road for your future. It's the fools who are so afraid of mistakes that go NOWHERE in life.

You've got to take risks and the way I look at it..this is a great opportunity. What have you got to lose? If anything, you WILL know whether this is the field for you.

Sales is an ENTIRELY different thing than anything out there! So don't listen to those people who tell you that you can't do it. ONly CERTAIN people can do sales. and if you CAN DO IT, you WILL succeed than all the other people who tell you that you can't do it. That's the reason why there's not a degree in sales. You can't teach people how to be persuasive, ambitious, and confident and outgoing. If you've read a single page off the DJ and APPLIED IT, you HAVE ALL THE TOOLS to become a king in sales.

Sales is INVALUABLE skill in all things in life.

Not only does it help YOU in becoming more persuasive, magnetic, and to step up your game...with the ladies.

It saves you a shytload of money.

I can't explain to you how many times I walk into a store....and I see a man who comes up to me and....keeps talking...and something clicks in the back of my head. "This guy is trying to sell me something."......."He's doing exactly the same thing I do to other people...."......and I don't fall for those jedi-mind tricks.

But a long story short...DO IT. What have you got to lose? Take this chance as an opportunity! If you excel in this field, you'll KNOW that you made the right move. And if you don't ...then you know that you weren't cut out to be a salesman. But regardless of what path you chose, this is a chance to learn and grow.

Damn straight man,

If you read the DJB front to back than you will do fine. The entire point of being a DJ can easily be summed up in "Selling yourself to __________ (noun)" People forget about this, if I want to go sell stuff, I plan on using the DJB techniques.

Best of luck, :rockon: :rockon:
comic_relief

 

[djbr]

Try doing all that in Brazil.

(laughs histerically)


PS.: I agree.