Debunk the myths: Working in Sales

Welcome to the start of the new series of jobs24.com‘ industry insights where we help you discover the truth about important job sectors.
By debunking commonly held myths and tackling silly stereotypes, you can find out what it takes to succeed and whether a particular career is right for you. Today we’re kicking off with sales.

The Myth: You have to be a natural-born salesperson.
The Truth: Being a people person with a friendly and engaging nature can never be faked. But there are soft skills that can be learned over time, including the ability to nurture a positive customer relationship by showing empathy and dedication.

The Myth: You need to be an extrovert to succeed.
The Truth: Many customers enjoy the showmanship often associated with selling but just as many find such theatrical behaviour rather off-putting.
Selling is sophisticated and nuanced, with the successful salesperson reading reactions to fine-tune both persona and approach – without ever losing integrity.

The Myth: You need to have the ‘gift of the gab’.
The Truth: The salesperson who won’t stop wisecracking is wasting everyone’s time. It’s important to know the technical details and merits of a new washing machine or insurance policy but these should be discussed. This involves listening, as well as talking, to find out what a customer needs and wants. The best salespeople are great listeners- this is how they keep the customer satisfied.

The Myth: Sell, sell, sell – it’s all about the numbers.
The Truth: If the product or service does not have to be tailored to the customer in any way, reaching out as often as possible will inevitably reap rewards.
But when it comes to high-value sales, more calls don’t always equal more orders. In deals where there’s a large investment, the focus is more on taking time to understand needs then finding bespoke solutions.

The Myth: You must be ruthless and sneaky.
The Truth: This stereotype of a salesperson is, thankfully, a thing of the past. Today’s salespeople work to established codes of conduct and the most successful are those whose expertise is matched by honesty and integrity. This combination not only sells but creates long-term client relationships.

The Myth: Sales is about being stuck on forecourts, in showrooms or on the phone.
The Truth: The modern sales world is packed full of innovation and the day job can involve making podcasts, offering video links and creating strategies for social media. It’s great fun and gives you skills that can be transferred to other job sectors.

The Myth: Salespeople are notorious for vanishing after a deal.
The Truth: Today’s sales pros know they must work way beyond the sale. This means being there for customers even for weeks or months after a deal.

Move beyond the myths and discover what a career in sales could for you with the latest vacancies on jobs24.com.

Posted on June 3, 2020