8 years ago
February 21, 2017

5 Different Types of Sales Jobs You Might Be Good At

If you’re thinking of entering the sales field but you’re not sure where to start, consider these different types of sales jobs. Keep reading.

Rhys Metler

Sales certainly isn’t for everyone, and many job seekers want to avoid the field at all costs. They’ll do anything except for sales, they say. This common phrase is uttered all the time, but it really comes from the fact that people associate sales professionals with dishonesty, schmoozing, fake charm, and deception. They think sales jobs are all about harassing and annoying unsuspecting prospects with cold calls, door-to-door sales calls, and unwanted emails.

Though this might have described sales in the past, it certainly isn’t accurate today. In fact, there are so many different types of sales jobs to consider, and very few such jobs today warrant outbound selling techniques.

Don’t dismiss sales just yet. Check out these different types of sales jobs that you might actually enjoy and be good at.

1. Inside Sales

Inside sales is one of the best sales jobs to get into if you don’t want to be on the phone cold calling all day, bothering prospects. It involves maintaining existing relationships with clients who already buy from the company. This job could include following up with clients to see how satisfied they are with their purchases, trying to get renewals, and negotiating future purchases.

2. Outside Sales

Undoubtedly, outside sales is one of the toughest sales jobs, but if you’re good at it, you could make a killing. Outside sales consists of going out to try to develop new business outside of a company’s existing client base. It might require some schmoozing and you might need to do some cold calling. But if you’re social, good with people, and convincing by nature, this could be a lucrative sales job to have.

3. Lead Generation and Development

Depending on the company, lead generation and development can be part of a sales job. It includes generating new leads for the business, but not necessarily closing the deals like outside sales. If you’re great at researching and love spending time on the computer, sifting through social media and a vast array of databases and websites, this could be a great position for you. You’ll be more of an investigator than a sales rep—you’ll be scouring the internet and other sources to find names of potential clients, get the appropriate contact information, and qualify the leads to find out if they’re viable opportunities.

4. Sales Support

Of the different types of sales jobs you could get into, sales support is a great stepping stone. Often an entry-level position, the role of sales support is to do much of the background work involved in making deals happen. You won’t be conducting sales meetings or interacting with clients so much as analyzing data, performing research, developing sales presentations, and generally support sales people in whichever ways they need. This is a great position if you want to get into sales, have great organizational skills, but don’t yet feel comfortable meeting with clients.

5. Client Services

Client services roles are similar to inside sales positions. They’re not about making sales but about ensuring that clients’ needs are met after the deal has closed. If you’re in client services, you might answer questions, offer help with troubleshooting, installation, or maintenance, and perform other tasks that ensure customer satisfaction, which is critical to ensuring business growth through an existing client base.

Sales is a lucrative career choice. It offers myriad benefits, such as competitive pay, flexibility, fun, and a wealth of opportunities. And it doesn’t consist of just cold calling and schmoozing. There are several different types of sales jobs to contemplate—some of which you might just be great at. Consider getting started in a sales career today.

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.

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