Finding A Job In the Sales Industry

Salespeople often have to spend long hours, especially on weekends, taking care of the needs of customers. They usually make between about $9 and $19 an hour, depending on where they work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A sales job can be rewarding if you enjoy working with the public on a regular basis, but the job can be stressful because you sometimes have to deal with irate customers. Although you usually don't need a college degree to be a salesperson, your ability to get a job in sales depends on your experience and contacts as well as the availability of sales jobs in your area.

To find a job in sales, look in online or print ads to find job listings for salespeople. Use generic sites such as Career Builder or Monster, doing searches for jobs related to sales, or use sites dedicated to sales jobs, such as Sales-Resume.org . When you do a search, look specifically for sales jobs in your area or the area in which you are moving so you don't have to drive a long distance to work. Read job descriptions carefully when applying for sales jobs to make sure that they fit with your qualifications and skill level and don't include duties that you would have difficulty performing, such as working with computer programs with which you are unfamiliar. When you apply for sales jobs, give potential employers a resume that is tailored towards a sales position. Provide information on your educational background and work history but create a resume that includes information about certain skills or experiences you have, such as your participation on your high school's debate team or your advanced communication skills, which would make you an ideal candidate for a sales job. Highlight previous sales experience on your resume if you are applying for a higher-level position or a sales job in another industry, such as the automobile or pharmaceutical industry. Apply for a number of different sales jobs to have a better chance of getting an interview for one of them and keep trying for jobs even if you don't get calls right away.

Develop contacts that can help you to find a job. Use a variety of tools, including social media websites or community or school organizations, to network with managers, executives, salespeople or others in the sales industry in which you are interested. Talk to these individuals and ask them questions about the industry in which they work to show that you have an interest. Let them know you are interested in hearing more about jobs that open up in your area. Do research beforehand so that when you network with others, you can demonstrate that you have some knowledge of their industry and their companies. Even if you don't get a job with someone you have networked with, she may mention your name to someone else in the same sales industry. Also utilize friends, family members and acquaintances and their contacts to find out what positions are available and get an interview for jobs. Don't be afraid to ask friends or family members for help because knowing someone can sometimes help you to get an interview or land a job.

Start working at a sales company in another job, such as a receptionist or assistant, to start to gain knowledge of the industry in which you are interested. While you are working in the other position, show that you are a valuable member of the company by doing more than what is expected of you. When a sales position opens up, express an interest in it, stressing the skills you have learned since you have been with the company. If you don't get the first job, keep applying for sales jobs in the company and in other companies. Having a sales company on your resume may help you to be able to get a job with another business in the same industry.

Finding a sales job may be difficult, especially if you live in a city or town that doesn't have many jobs available or you don't have experience in sales. Expect that it may take you a few weeks or months or longer to get a callback, interview or job. While working at your current job, learn as many skills as possible and get to the highest-level position you can to show potential employers that you are motivated. The skills you develop working at a grocery store, restaurant, office or another location could help you if you are able to get a sales job.