Are you interested in jump starting a sales career of your own? Sales is an exciting field that is simultaneously challenging, satisfying, and rewarding. A sales career can provide you with the opportunity to set your own income goals and may provide greater flexibility and independence than other professional positions. However, it can be difficult to break in to a sales career if you are just beginning your professional career or if you are trying to transition from another industry. These tips will help you make the most of the opportunities available for beginning a career in sales.

Getting Started in a Sales Career: Learn As Much About Sales As You Can

The organizations that are hiring for sales people in the current market are open to hiring inexperienced as well as experienced sales people. However, experience that can be translated into sales is important no matter what your personal sales experience level may be. Prepare yourself for a career in sales by examining your resume for past experiences and current skills that may be useful to an employer seeking a new sales person. You may also want to consider:

• Attending conferences and seminars with a sales focus to broaden your skills and understanding
• Reading books and trade publications recommended by sales people to learn more about the fundamentals of sales
• Taking courses in sales related topics such as relationship building and closing so that your sales career gets started on the right footing

Getting Started in a Sales Career: Launch Your Career with the Right Company

If you want to make your sales career work for you, it is important that you start that career with the right employer. The sales position you accept to begin your sales career should be a match for not only your experience and skills, but for the corporate and working culture in which you are most comfortable. It is also important to find an employer that offers training and mentorship to new sales people like yourself, so that you can learn and advance in a supportive environment.

This may seem like a lot to look for at once, but you can gain an advantage in the search for the right employer by reaching out to a sales recruiter. Sales recruiters are used by organizations to fill sales positions at all levels, and an experienced and active sales recruiter can likely help you find the right match.

Getting Started in a Sales Career: Understand That Rejection Isn’t Personal

It is human nature to take rejection personally, even if that rejection is not truly personal. Rejection can make it more difficult to get started in a sales career, since rejection is an almost daily fact of life for anyone working in sales. It can be a major challenge to overcome consistent rejection in order to reach the sales that do close in a successful deal. Being aware that rejection in sales is not personal and taking positive steps both psychological and actionable to overcome rejection is integral to a flourishing sales career.

Getting Started in a Sales Career: Seek Feedback to Support Career Growth

Throughout your sales career, you will be on a path of constant improvement. After you begin to learn the fundamentals of selling and make your first sales, you will be on to your next target or quota. Give your sales career the support it needs by encouraging those with whom you work to give you feedback so that you can make adjustments that improve your ability to connect with prospects and sell.

Remember that even the top sales people you will meet in your new career are always on the lookout for ways to do better and push their sales numbers. Congratulate yourself on each new milestone, as each is a step towards greater success in your new sales career