7 years ago
February 21, 2017

5 Traits of the Future Sales Person

If you think you might be a future sales person, check out the following list of five traits.

Claire McConnachie Recruiter
Claire McConnachie

Is a career in sales in your future? Anyone can learn the skills necessary to be a sales person, but some people have traits that lend themselves beautifully to a career in sales. If you think you might be a future sales person, check out the following list of five traits and see if you identify with any of them. If you do, you might have a future in sales.

1. You’re Comfortable Talking About Money

People who are uncomfortable talking about money find themselves in a constant state of anxiety if they try a career in sales. Often, whether or not you’re comfortable talking about money goes back to how you were raised. Did your parents discuss budget issues or investments over the dinner table? Were you openly encouraged to talk about your financial plans? People who grew up thinking that money was very precious and should be hoarded generally have a hard time working in sales. However, if you’re comfortable talking about money, you’ll feel right at home in a sales job.

2. You Assume Parity With Other People

A great trait in a future sales person is being able to assume parity with your customers. Assuming parity means avoiding attitudes and phrases like, “You’re the customer so you’re the boss.” On the other end of the spectrum, a great sales person won’t treat customers as if they’re peons who need to be told what to do. If you position yourself as a problem solver worthy of equal respect, you’ll do well in sales.

3. You Like to Be Prepared

People who do their homework about prospects, companies, and clients are better sales people than those who show up and think they can perform well off the cuff. If you like to be prepared, you could have a future sales career. You’ll have your agendas ready, your custom-tailored presentations, and your data and facts. People will know that you respect their time and take your career seriously.

4. You Ask Great Questions

If you know how to ask great questions, you could have a future sales career that takes you far. Many sales people think it’s important for them to do all the talking. They have a limited amount of time with a client and they have so many things to say. But actually, those who ask great questions are the ones who make more sales. When you ask great questions, the better you understand the people you’re working with, and you can more effectively tailor custom solutions for their problems.

5. You Know How to Follow Up

Are you the kind of person who always calls people back and checks back to see that tasks have been accomplished? If so, you could be a future sales person. Following up is a critical skill for sales people to have. If you drop the ball and forget to follow up with a customer, you could lose that customer to a sales person who is more responsive and aware. If you’re not already skilled at following up, practice. This is a trait that comes naturally to some, but you can definitely learn it if you need to.

Do you have a future in sales? If you’re comfortable talking about money, assume parity with others, like to be prepared, ask great questions, and know how to follow up, you’re in great shape for being highly successful in the sales industry.

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.

salesforce-popup