People in SALES CAREERS!! Please help!

[Dave Kaminski]

Hey to everyone who has had experience in commission based sales positions!

I'm working on getting a job in sales and I know I have the skills and the drive necessary to succeed. I just don't know what to sell or how to get a job selling it. I'm thinking about working as an Aflac representative, and feel that I'd do pretty darn well in that field. I've already spoken to a hiring manager in my area for Aflac and I should get the job.

Do you have any suggestions as to how I might make certain I get the job? What about future sales-job hunts? What might be a good sales job to start out in? Is graduating college, which I'm currently attending, very important?

I've read 20 odd books on sales just because I thought it would help my self-employed job, which it did, as well as my communication skills. I'm really eager to get a job in sales and see what I can do, because I'm positive I can kick some sales-ass.

Thanks so much!

[thadroe]

Hi Dave,

I've been in sales for about 11 years. There's about a gazillion sales jobs out there so saying which one is the best to go with is not something anyone can answer for you.

It sounds like you are just excited about being in sales in general. That's very important to doing well. If you are proud of being in sales and see yourself in a positive light, that is a huge plus and a trait that will help you be successful at it and will help you get hired.

I would say it would be best to match up your desire for being in sales with an industry you are very interested in or have a passion for. That will make it so much more rewarding in the long run and it really comes through to your prospects when you are just downright passionate about what you're selling.

Thad

[Dave Kaminski]

Originally Posted by thadroe

I would say it would be best to match up your desire for being in sales with an industry you are very interested in or have a passion for. That will make it so much more rewarding in the long run and it really comes through to your prospects when you are just downright passionate about what you're selling.

How probable is this in terms of a starting position, with near-zero experience as well as no degree. I'm pretty intelligent, result oriented and introspective, so those are some pluses; I'm also quick to learn.

Lets say I loved computers, what could I sell and in what setting?

Thanks so much!

[thadroe]

Hi Dave,

....still very broad, what specifically do you like about computers? Is there something you really feel passionate about?

As far as your experience and lack of degree...most sales jobs it doesn't matter. You may have to work a little harder and go the extra mile finding a job without a track record. You're biggest asset will be persistence and your energy level. Bug the hell out of whoever you are trying to get a job with. They want to see that you have the energy and persistence to sell....and that includes selling yourself to them!

Thad

[Dave Kaminski]

Originally Posted by thadroe

Hi Dave,

....still very broad, what specifically do you like about computers? Is there something you really feel passionate about?

As far as your experience and lack of degree...most sales jobs it doesn't matter. You may have to work a little harder and go the extra mile finding a job without a track record. You're biggest asset will be persistence and your energy level. Bug the hell out of whoever you are trying to get a job with. They want to see that you have the energy and persistence to sell....and that includes selling yourself to them!

Thad

I figured as much. I kinda want to work for Apple but I don't know anything about Apple computers. Should I try to get a job with Apple and then immerse myself in training or learn about Apple computers and then try to get a job.

I've been 'bugging' the Aflac guy (corresponding) and I think I'll do really well with that, but I think I'd have more fun selling Apple PCs to school systems, small businesses etc.

I don't know what else I could sell. I just want to be able to be ethical and have a positive effect on peoples lives, and be extremely efficient in selling, mostly by putting the right prospects with the right products.

Any entry-level sales positions you'd recommend? Should I stay away from any?

[thadroe]

I would say definitely see where you can get with Apple.

You are definitely on the right track with wanting to make a positive impact on people's lives.

Whatever industry you choose, try to go with the most ethical and forthright company you can find. Some industries like financial sales can be a little dicey if you aren't careful who you go with. Just make sure you do your research about the company.

Personally, I don't like any kind of sales to individuals (which I am in right now...ugggh). If I were planning to stay in the working world, I would rather do B2B sales. Individuals have a lot of emotions that get in the way of making a decision and it can be very frustrating, where on the other hand, businesses usually have a pretty structured decision making process.

Thad

[Eggzachery]

My philosophy is, "Sell what you're passionate about." I've been in sales all my life. There's a saying "sales takes all types." Most people take that to mean that it takes all types of people to reach all types of people. I agree. But I also take it to mean that in order to sell all the various things that need selling (which is just about everything) you need the type of person that is suited to each type of product.

I sell insurance. Life and health and disability insurance, mainly. And even within that arena, there are many, many, MANY niches. Prior to finding my calling, I sold just about everything you can think of (except timeshares). Some stuff I enjoyed for a little while, some stuff I didn't enjoy at all, and some stuff I actually felt ashamed to sell (new cars, mainly).

But once I started selling insurance, something clicked inside of me. From that point on, I knew I was doing the right thing with my life, and doing the most good for the people to whom I was selling.

AFLAC is in the VPD, or voluntary payroll deduction, employee benefits market. VPD is a new-ish way of packaging benefits that maximizes choice for the employee. Most of what AFLAC sells is supplemental health benefits, although it has life and short term disability products.

If you go to work for AFLAC, you're probably going to be trained to focus on the small business market. Especially the 25 employee and under market. This is a good thing. This market is underserved. Their employees have pitiful benefits. You will be doing those you sell to a world of good. If working with small businesses is something that appeals to you, this would be a good START in the insurance business.

I say START because that should be how you treat it. Insurance is a big world, and especially the employee benefits market. You would do well to package AFLAC products with HSA Health insurance plans, as well as life and long term disability from companies with more competetive offerings that AFLAC has to offer in both those areas.

Always think of yourself as a business owner and you will do well. Consider what insurance products you offer as "product lines" in your intangible "insurance store." If you only offer AFLAC, you'll only interest those for whom AFLAC is a fit. Don't spread yourself thin, but think about what will go well together. When someone wants a burger, they usually want fries and a drink. Sometimes even a milkshake.

Feel free to PM me if you have more specific questions. I'll continue to contribute to this thread and others as I am available.

[Dave Kaminski]

Thanks so much guys!

In your experience, who is the most important person in the hiring process? Who would be most influential in getting hired if you could influence someone, lets say in terms of Apple? I need to start networking but I need to know with whom to network.

[Eggzachery]

Originally Posted by Dave Kaminski

Thanks so much guys!

In your experience, who is the most important person in the hiring process? Who would be most influential in getting hired if you could influence someone, lets say in terms of Apple? I need to start networking but I need to know with whom to network.

Well.. I wouldn't know where to start with some place like Apple. I'm inclined to say Steve Jobs. But that might be a little ambitious for you.

In insurance, you get properly licensed in accordance to your state's laws. Then you get errors and omissions insurance. Then you contact each company you would like to have in your portfolio in order to contract directly with them. They're called PPGA or Primary Producing General Agent contracts.

Honestly, if you've never EVER sold before, and you're interested in insurance, don't just go get on with some company. Go to Million Dollar Round Table and find some agents in your area that qualify. Get them to meet with you. Don't pay attention to the company they represent, just find someone you mesh with and could see yourself mentoring with for a few years until you can sell on your own.

From the sounds of it, you're interested in working for someplace like Apple. But you're going to find that a large and shark infested pool that plays for keeps. Sales in general is. But corporate sales in particular. There are places for sales newbies to start out, and there are places where sales newbies get chewed up and spit out.

Look at all your available options. Go out first thing Monday (or first chance you get) and explore. DO IT. Meet with a LOT of people and companies. Then and ONLY then, come back to report your findings and seek further input.

[Eggzachery]

Oh, almost forgot! Here is a direct link to the mentor page.