Source
r/LifeProTips•
WorkingContext

LPT: Especially for those looking for their first job, if a job description mentions anything close to or about sales, that is all you'll do at that job.

Careers & Work

A lot of job postings try to lure sales people in by mentioning other aspects of the job because sales is super important to most companies and it's not the most desirable first job.

A lot of times you'll see job titles like Marketing Associate, Project Coordinator, etc that will have vague descriptions like "work cross functionally with people across the company to educate prospective clients about processes and products" etc, and they'll mention stuff like "fielding inbound inquiries", some are more tricky than others, but if you read between the lines you'll realize it's just a sales job

Posted Sep 14, 2022, 4:59 PM UTC

1.2K33
TheHealadin•

If you do decide sales will be alright, make sure you get a compensation package in writing: % of each sale, $ over a set goal (how often is the goal revised, what happens if goal is not met?), etc.

A lot of the time job postings will try to hide the sales requirement because they don't want to pay a salesperson.

136
geojon7•

This 100% and make sure everything is in writing with pen signature. I have personally been here and even after still had arguments right up to the actual court hearing for unpaid wages.

27
Puzzleheaded-Dog2882•

True but I've worked in sales and they'll just change the commission structure the next year to rip you off even more. Sales SUCKS

14
Dentalguy8•

You’re not in sales are you? I have never seen that and if someone was requesting it all I would probably pass simply because expectations would be that this person isn’t going to be a good fit and probably more work than they’re worth. Sales roles almost always have a very clear commission plan. Ask what that is. Don’t think you deserve some custom plan or hand holding.

-29
KiwiCarpenter•

You’ve never heard of someone’s base salary and commission structure being defined in their contract? OP is talking about entry level sales jobs for people new to the work force, of course they should understand how it works if it’s their first job.

23
TheHealadin•

I didn't say it had to be custom, I said to get it in writing.

6
dan7ebg•

I wouldn't actually discourage people from sales. I've been doing that for the past 8 years and I've learned so much about business, persuasion and generally being comfortable under pressure. Its served me great in life, required little to no experience to start, but helped me develope a great career for myself.

Nowadays I work in the gaming industry, I get to travel the world on the company's dime to expos and conventions, I make some pretty good money and its also given me great job security. There is also the potential for upward mobility. I've doubled my salary from just a year and a half ago, not even counting the bonuses. I constantly have recruiters headhunting me on LinkedIn, which just 2 weeks ago led to an interview, I was given and offer, which then led to a counter-offer from my current employer with even more bonuses and more upward mobility.

Couple of things I do want to note: its deffinitely NOT a job for everyone. The beginnings arent the best and until you get a good idea of how industries operate, you might get shafted on bonuses. Also, the better you are at your job, the bigger budgets you're gonna be working with, which can take its toll pressure wise.

I would still highly recommend it though. Especially to people just starting up on the job market. Plus, they do make some pretty good movies about salesmen!

63
Dentalguy8•

I think sales is one of the most lucrative careers out there. Should be good money assuming u don’t suck balls and you get paid for your work. In other words, if I ain’t getting paid, I ain’t getting outta bed.

21
dan7ebg•

Thing about it is that there's always someone looking for sales people. 1 thing I can say is that in my 8 year career, I've switched 4 workplaces. Always got paid, but sometimes management is shit, sometimes bonuses are unattainable , sometimes its all around shit. I've heard all sorts of horror stories. On the flipside though, sales will never die. Its very, very difficult for a robot to take your job. Its needed in every company and sales is also one of those fields where its a lot easier to transition from one industry to another. I started in telephone sales for online investments, moved on to subscription services via digital marketing and now i do affilaite management for gaming. The position I was offered last was for iGaming, so think casino/sportsbetting typa thing. I was gonna apply at Disney at one point. Point is, its pretty fn good once you find the right fit. Its also a lot easier to start your own business.

16
Johnny_Palmer•

Basically every company I’ve ever worked for idolized the salesmen. They can do no wrong. Product doesn’t even exist? No problem if the client signed! Client is a major pain in the ass, costing more money than they bring in? No clawbacks from the salesman who closed the deal; they get to keep the full commission

I’ve considered making a career switch to sales since it looks pretty easy, but the travel requirements for the jobs that would pay even 50% of my current salary are a nonstarter lol. I can’t even stand a 20 minute commute let alone a cross country flight!

9
PreMixYZ•

Also true with “travel” - if your job description says 25% travel it means you will be on the road 100 days a year. Considering a work year is about 220 days you will probably be either on the road, recovering from a road trip or preparing for a road trip.

37
drainisbamaged•

As a person in a sales job, I wish I just did sales.

17
JP12345678910111213•

Seriously! So much reporting, tracking and post sales customer maintenance who has any to sell?

10
TheHealadin•

As a person in sales support, find a company that has my role. You can focus on sales and I get the peripheral benefits of sales.

5
mostlygray•

I can't do sales. It just doesn't work for me. I can sell people on the product. That's no problem. I just don't like being incented to sell the product. I got tricked into it twice when I first got my insurance license. I'd get told it was primarily servicing group clients in a support role and it turned out to be 100% sales $0 base. The next one turned out to be a pyramid scheme. Super common apparently in insurance.

Finally got a job in insurance recently. Room to grow at a good company that cares about it's staff and is very easy to work for. No sales. Support only. If I wanted to do sales, I could train on it but I don't want to. I like helping people and I get to do that. Today I helped a 94 year old lady track down her GUL policy worth $100,000. It had shifted companies 3 or so times but we found it. Now she has peace of mind that the policy will pay out to her beneficiaries. That's the kind of work I enjoy.

No sales. Never again. I hate being judged on how much I sold. I want to be judged on how well I helped people. I help save you money, make you money, and protect your money. I don't want to base my worth on 20% of something. Pay me a good steady salary and save the customer some money.

11
Skip_Skipperson•

Glad to hear you found a career path that suits you. I like how you put that, “I like helping people and I get to do that.” Got any other similar career type jobs you might recommend along those lines? I have a sales background but also hate having the proverbial carrot constantly being hung in front of your nose. More than happy when it comes to assisting my customers though.

5
mostlygray•

I enjoyed cooking banquet and family style for kids and adult programs at Concordia Language Villages. It was long hours but not too stressful. That kind of work is pretty few and far between to find. Most kitchen work is hell. If you have the personality for it, there's noting like customer service and support. If you can't stand being yelled at, you'll wash out. If you can't handle the occasional insane person, it's not for you. However, out of 50 calls, 45+ customers are going to be happy at the end of their call if you're doing your job right. You can't help the other 5. They are lost. I mean, what do you say to a customer who says "You people trapped a bird inside my computer. God will punish you for killing birds." I was told that once. Just try to explain that she just needs a new power supply and I can send a tech out. Nope, I'm apparently going to hell. At least you get a funny story. If you can deal with everyone claiming to have stage 4 cancer and their dying wish is to get their Bonzi Buddy working again. If you can deal with a customer who calls in and says their computer is running slow and they smell smoke and it's getting really hot in here. Then you hear the smoke alarm in the background and you have to tell a person, over the phone, that their apartment is on fire and to get out. Then you can always be happy.

1
CharlesAvlnchGreen•

I freelanced at a news publication that had a huge revolving door of a sales staff, responsible for calling on local businesses and selling advertising in the pub plus other stuff (digital ads, website development, email marketing) which was farmed out to third-party vendors at a markup.

Huge turnover because it was a hard sell, b/c of the markup. The only unique offering were ads in the print publication, whose readership was mostly elderly people without much disposable income.

They called new recruits Account Executives and the job postings talked a lot about the supposed "prestige" of working for the place and "in media", and emphasized they wanted "outgoing, high energy people who enjoyed 'interacting with businesses in the community'". Then it got really jargony; stuff sales veterans would recognize but newbies would not.

It was funny and kinda sad to see the steady parade of new college graduates and folks coming from fast food/labor jobs, and then face the reality of having to cold-call a bunch of Glengarry leads all day.

Occasionally someone would succeed and move up the sales ladder, or be promoted into an entry-level position in another department (usually very attractive, charming young women). But for like 95% of them, it was a deadend job.

9
Willie_Waylon•

Nothing happens until something is sold.

8
o_nikiyousofine•

Admissions jobs at universities. Nothing but sales.

7
itsBIGPOOP•

I got tricked by this into the job I'm in now. Been looking for a new job for over a month because this is the worst one I've ever had. I applied to be a retail manager where I would oversee a team but I'm literally just a salesman that sometimes checks other people's papers..... I hate this job so much I just want to find another one.

7
pdfrg•

Video game tester, aphrodisiac dispenser, exotic hotel room inspector, food sampler, some sales, lost-and-found unmarked bills counter, puppy petter…

3
kh556910•

Same applies to recruitment.

3
tempreffunnynumber•

Man fuck them sails, there’s no water, how the fuck are boats gonna get anywhere.

2
MCJunieB•

I just started a job in sales and I love it. So many of the skills that helped me find success in my past jobs are helping me push sales averages. My skill at my job is directly reflected in my take home pay.

At my job interview the company straight up told me I would be an independent sales contractor. Spelled out the terms, gave me last year's numbers, next year's events calendar. I get to work, my only job is to sell as many units as possible. My managers trust me to do my job- just sell. I have an entire customer service team at head office to assist my clients after their purchase. I have all kinds of support for dealing with my clients while i am interactingwith them, on the internet, at my setup, constant connection with my manager.

My company did not need to hide the fact that this is a sales job. It is a good job for the right person. It's a great job for the person who is good at it.

2
Electroid-93•

Lpt: if you are good at sales do it.

2
truth_pudding•

Very true! That said if you are good at sales you can make a shit ton of money in many, many different areas. I know people who sell mattresses that make 200k +. Always made me laugh when someone would be condescending to the need anything of my sales people not realizing they made so much, i also had people who sucked and made like $40k and obviously left but my point is a good salesperson , if you Like it, can make an incredible living.

Retail sales (like mattresses , blows dicks) in terms of quality of life, work life balance and prestige. You might as well tell someone you’re homeless 😆

So many different areas of sales out there you just have to find your niche. I’m incredibly glad to be making a little leas these days but actually enjoying my life and family ,

My life pro tip is don’t compromise a good work life balance for money for too long because you cannot get that time back!

Sorry, I’m all over the place.

2
Callec254•

A tangent, but there's a surprising amount of overlap in the skills required to be good at sales, and the skills required to be good at picking up girls. If you have no issues going out in public and getting random girls' phone numbers, you might find you'd be surprisingly good at a sales job.

2
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1
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
1pencil•

Not as bad as when bell opened a call center here and sniped a bunch of verizon tech support agents from the vbts center promising tech support jobs. End of first training week they told everyone they would be doing sales and customer support for billing.

1
SaltShakeGrinder•

That's pretty much 99% of jobs nowadays. You are selling something in some shape or form. Companies just use fancy words so that it sounds appealing to you - the customer when in reality capitalism is just one big circlejerk of corporate jargon.

1