4 months ago
October 17, 2024

13 Signs You’re Not Cut Out For A Sales Career

Sales is not for everyone. Sure, it can be highly rewarding and lucrative, but it’s not the right fit for some people. Certain personality traits just make some people more…

Claire McConnachie Recruiter
Claire McConnachie

Sales is not for everyone. Sure, it can be highly rewarding and lucrative, but it’s not the right fit for some people. Certain personality traits just make some people more suited to work in sales than others. 

Even if you want to work in sales, there may be some innate things about you that could hold you back and prevent you from reaching your career goals. As a veteran sales recruiter who interviews thousands of salespeople each year, yhis is something I see occasionally amongst sales job candidates, and job seekers in general. Some candidates have an ideal career path or a job in mind, but their skills, experience, or even personality do not make them a great candidate to get recruited. 

As a sales recruiter who works with some of the top sales organizations in North America, I can tell you that employers in the sales industry are looking for people with a specific set of characteristics. Certain personalities thrive, and others struggle. Below is a list of 13 signs you are not cut out for a career in sales.

What Are The Top Signs You Are Not Cut Out For A Sales Career?

A sales career can be highly rewarding, but it isn’t the right fit for everyone. And this is okay. Certain signs can indicate that you may not be cut out for a career in sales. Before you move forward with your potential sales career, stop and think about whether your personality and aspirations match whats required to be a top sales professional. Here are key signs to consider:

1. You Don’t Handle Rejection Well

In sales, you are told no a lot more than yes. Rejection is part of the sales game. Sales involves facing a lot of rejection, from cold calls that go unanswered to deals that fall through. If you take rejection personally or have difficulty bouncing back from it, you may struggle in a sales role where resilience is key. 

2. You Take Things Personally

It’s hard not to take things personally, but it’s especially important to not take things personally when dealing with customers. Customers treat you as a representative of a company, not the person you are outside of work hours. What they say to you is typically directed at the organization. So, you need to make that distinction. If you take everything personally;y, you’ll struggle. 

3. You’re Not Persistent

Sales require persistence—following up with leads, nurturing relationships, and staying determined even when things get tough. Remember what I said above about rejection? You have to be persistent and overcome being told no repeatedly. If you give up easily or find it difficult to keep going after setbacks, a sales career may be challenging for you.

4. You Crumble Under Pressure

Sales is a high-pressure industry. It’s often target-driven, with quotas to meet and goals to achieve. If you dislike working under pressure or feel anxious when goals are set, this can be a red flag that this might not be the career for you. Sales professionals need to thrive in environments where performance is measured and success depends on hitting numbers.

5. Struggle with Self-Motivation

Successful sales professionals have a strong sense of urgency. So, many sales roles require high levels of self-motivation. If you find it hard to stay productive without constant supervision or prefer tasks with more structure and routine, you may not enjoy the independence that comes with many sales jobs.

6. You’re Not Great At Networking

You need to be a people person. Building and maintaining relationships is a cornerstone of sales. If you dislike socializing, networking, or engaging with new people, you may find the relationship-building aspect of sales draining or difficult. Meet new prospects and schmoozing with clients is an essential part of the business. 

7. You’re Not A Great Listener

Successful salespeople excel at active listening. They understand their client’s needs and tailor their approach accordingly. If you tend to dominate conversations or struggle to listen attentively, this can hinder your ability to close deals.

sales listening quote

8. You’re Not Good At Handling Uncertainty

Sales roles can have a lot of unknowns. They often come with fluctuating income (due to commissions) and unpredictable schedules. The tasks you perform and the hours you work could vary from day to day. If you prefer a stable, predictable work environment and find uncertainty stressful, a sales career might not be for you. You need to be comfortable being uncomfortable and accept that uncertainty is part of the job.

9.  Cold Calling is Not Something You Like 

Cold calling, prospecting, and reaching out to potential leads are core aspects of many sales roles. If the idea of initiating contact with strangers makes you uncomfortable, this may be a strong indication that sales isn’t the right career path.

10. Low Emotional Resilience

Sales can be emotionally draining, especially when deals fall through or you face consistent rejection. If you find it hard to maintain a positive outlook or recover from negative experiences, the emotional highs and lows of sales might be too challenging.

11. You Dislike Competitive Environments

Top sales professionals are competitive. Are you? Many sales roles thrive on competition—whether it’s against other companies or internal competition within your team. If you’re uncomfortable with competition or prefer a more collaborative or relaxed atmosphere, you may not thrive in sales.

12. You Have Difficulty with Closing Deals

Closing the deal is one of the most critical aspects of sales. You can be great with people, have strong research skills and offer excellent service, but at the end of the day, sales is about closing. If you struggle to ask for the sale, hesitate when it’s time to seal the deal or feel uncomfortable with direct persuasion, you may find it difficult to succeed in sales.

13. You Struggle with Time Management

Working in sales can feel like a balancing act. There are a lot of things to juggle. Sales professionals often have to juggle multiple clients, sales processes, meetings,  follow-ups, and tasks. If you struggle with time management or staying organized, you may find it difficult to keep track of leads and meet deadlines, which can hurt your overall success.

A Final Word About What It Takes To Work In Sales

A career in sales is not for everyone. It requires resilience, persistence, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to handle rejection and pressure. If several of the signs above resonate with you, it may be worth reconsidering whether sales is the right fit for your strengths and personality. The good news is there are many sales-related careers that you may be better suited to pursue. Reach out to our sales recruiters to explore your options. 

Additional Career Advice From Our Sales Recruiters

5 Sales Career Moves You’ll Thank Yourself For 15 Years From Now

Is 40 Too Old To Start A Sales Career?

Which Field Is Best For A Sales Career?

 

Cover photo by Andrea Piacquadio

Claire McConnachie Recruiter

Claire McConnachie

Claire has 4+ years of experience in sales and recruitment. As a Director of Client Services, her main objective is to connect great people to great companies by building strong relationships with both top clients and candidates in the sales industry. She specializes in sales roles of all seniority levels for both enterprise and start-up clients North American wide. When Claire isn't networking with top talent, she enjoys being outdoors, traveling and spending time with friends & family.

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