Many people who are seeking a new start are ‘sold’ on sales careers

There’s good news for those seeking a new career: No matter what jobs you may have held in the past, a career in sales can offer an opportunity to “go with what you know” in a new and rewarding way.

Those in the profession say an entrylevel sales opportunity typically requires little or no specific experience in a particular industry and can still offer good income potential.

“There is always a demand for good salespeople, especially in areas like insurance, because the market is always growing,” said Peter Leighton, senior vice president of recruiting at Combined Insurance. “Those who are personable, ambitious, confident, positive and disciplined often make the most successful salespeople.”

However, Leighton said, some job seekers shy away from considering sales positions because a majority of such positions pay on commission, which can be a negative to some applicants. That shouldn’t be a deterrent, he said, because some companies help new salespeople balance the financial risk when first starting out.

FINDING THE RIGHT JOB

When considering a sales job, it’s important to look for companies that offer four key benefits, Leighton said. Those benefits include: • Guaranteed initial income • Comprehensive training and support • Free leads • Employee status • These particularly help new sales representatives while they build their business. But not all companies offer them, so it’s important to do your homework,”

Leighton said.

AN ENTRY TO OTHER FIELDS

A sales job can also be a great stepping stone to finding work in another field.

“Sales is a great job opportunity for the 20 to 24 age group of job seekers who may be entering the workforce for the first time,” Leighton said.

“The skills that are gained from a sales position, such as time management, communication, problem solving and working with others, are qualities that employers in all industries look for, and they are easily transferable,” he said

According to industry experts, people who are personable, ambitious, confident, positive and disciplined often make the most successful salespeople.