9 years ago
January 7, 2015

4 Reasons To Work In Sales

Sales jobs can have a virtually uncapped earning potential for top sales people, but there are many other perks that come with a job in sales.

Rhys Metler

work in salesSales jobs are best known for their virtually uncapped earning potential for top sales people, but there are plenty of other perks and benefits associated with a job in sales. Even sales people who do not make top tier sales numbers get to enjoy some of these benefits, while still earning a healthy annual salary. Here are four reasons to work in sales apart from the generous compensation.

Sales Jobs Give Opportunities for Travel

In certain industries travelling sales jobs are still common, and those who are interested in travel find these positions give them plenty of opportunities to experience new places while their employer pays a substantial amount of the costs typically associated with travel. Of course, travelling for work is not everyone’s cup of tea. But what about working near your home and earning free travel opportunities through your sales numbers?

Many sales departments, whether they expect sales people to travel or not, offer all expense paid trips for top sales people on an annual basis. These vacations are to desirable locations, sometimes include family members, and can also include executive functions where sales people can meet in more intimate settings with their firm’s leaders. This last type of retreat is usually counted as working time, and so is not deducted from participants’ paid time off balances. Where else can you find this kind of perk?

Sales Jobs Reward You for Your Success

Most people have experienced the disappointment that comes from not being recognized by an employer for significant accomplishments. With a job in sales, sales people are always guaranteed a reward because their compensation is directly tied to their daily accomplishments. Each time a sales person cultivates a new account, drives sales from an existing client higher, and meets or exceeds a quota, he or she can expect a healthy commission. Rewards that are directly tied to performance also have a motivating influence, leading to a cycle of success and higher compensation.

Sales Jobs Equip You to Own Your Own Business

In order to succeed in a job in sales, you need to have the right attitude, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a strong skill set. The skills that accomplished sales professionals expand while working for someone else are the same skills that successful business owners rely on for success, including:

    • The ability to negotiate so that everyone in a transaction benefits.
    • The persistence to overcome challenges, objections, and competition.
    • The dexterity to relate to and develop relationships with people at all levels of an organization.

Even if you don’t see yourself in a selling role if you do aim to run your own business, the fact is that business owners are consummate sales people. The owner of a business has to hit the pavement to prospect for customers, close major deals, and promote his or her business every day, even if there is a sales team in place. For business owners, the prior experience gained by selling for others in sales jobs just can’t be replicated in any other career.

Sales Jobs Make You More Attractive to Future Employers

Whether or not you choose to pursue a lifetime career in sales or eventually open your own business, having had a job in sales makes you more attractive to employers. An employer reviewing a resume that includes successful sales experience knows that that particular candidate is driven, self disciplined, and flexible. Employers want these qualities in all areas of their organization, not just in sales jobs. Having this experience will give you an edge over candidates who never took the risk of relying on personal performance for a paycheck. In a tough job market this advantage can be invaluable, and combined with the other benefits of sales jobs, the question to ask might be why not take a job in sales!

Rhys Metler

Rhys is a tenacious, top performing Senior Sales Recruiter with 15+ years of focused experience in the Digital Media, Mobile, Software, Technology and B2B verticals. He has a successful track record of headhunting top performing sales candidates for some of the most exciting brands in North America. He is a Certified Recruitment Specialist (CRS) and has expert experience in prospecting new business, client retention/renewals and managing top performing sales and recruitment teams. Rhys enjoys spending quality time with his wife, son, and daughters, BBQing on a hot summer day and tropical vacations.

salesforce-popup