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How can I get sales experience is all sales jobs require experience??

I'd love to work at my favourite retails stores but they always require experience....so where do I start?

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Scott’s Answer

One consideration is to pursue a telemarketing or "tele-qualification" role. Often companies use "tele" jobs as a pipeline to grow new sales talent. There is also an option to look at agencies who specialize in telemarketing and tele qualification, as many major/multi-national (and smaller) companies actually outsource their tele work to these 3rd party companies. Companies like Citrix, Televerde - even Manpower temp staffing all are looking for talent who are smart, good with customers (most often via phone)....lot's of opportunities out there!

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Alexander’s Answer

Hi Alisha


First thing to remember: companies always ask for the perfect candidate, but in many cases they do balance what the candidate brings to the table. Maybe a job requires multiple skills, i.e. sales and project management. So whilst candidates might not be as strong in the sales area, but stronger in the product management space, such candidates still have very good chances.
So it is important to look at the whole spectrum of skills, that companies are looking for in candidates and to focus on the areas where you are over-performing to balance out the less deep skill set in other areas.


If sales experience is "non-negotiable" and cant be compensated for other skills, then you need to ask yourself, how much you want this particular job. If sales experience is all that is being focused on, then is this really what you want to do? Seems there is not much potential to broaden your skill-set throughout the employment.
If this is what you want, this is the only job you want to go for and the company is not looking for any other skills, then my suggestion would be to negotiate with the company of your desire. After all, this is what they are looking for in sales skills.
Highlight your other qualities. They might not have thought of these skills when writing the job-advert, but if you highlight your other skills and how these skills can be beneficial to the company, they might realize, that you are actual valuable. This is a very practical example of sales negotiations and offering value to companies.
Another negotiation could be: offer to work for free for them for a limited amount of time. Maybe 3-6 months. No strings attached. To prove to them, during this period, how you could bring value to the company and at the same time gain the skills they are looking for.


Hope this helps and I whish you good luck!


Alex
Thank you comment icon Thanks! I never thought of working for free to prove why they should hire me...that's genius thanks! Alisha
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Jax’s Answer

Hi Alisha,

I know that it must be challenging when you're still maybe in school or just graduated and don't have very much experience yet. My advice to you is to get better with interviewing, especially when you lack the experience.

Interviews are literally selling yourself. Selling to the company that you can do the job. Sales has a lot to do with how well you can get a full room of people gravitating towards your energy and your presence. You can talk about past experiences where you have had to negotiate even while in school. Paint the picture and do it enthusiastically. So they may consider you even without the experience.

Going into the interview prepared with a supercharged energy should also help. Research the company, make sure to highlight the strengths you have aligning with the required skills or qualification they listed within the job listing. If it's retail you're looking for then it's really all about your personality and your presence so always have high energy.

Well hope this helps! Good luck Alisha!
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Karen A.’s Answer

If you are fortunate enough to live at home, I would recommend applying for a sales job that specifies "No experience necessary" and "Will train." This could be cars, or anything. After about six months you will have enough experience to be able to apply for higher level sales jobs. And while you are there, read everything you can about professional selling and closing techniques. Good luck to you!
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Heather’s Answer

My first job experience didn’t start in sales. It was working as a receptionist for a corporate office for a major sales company. I had no idea about sales but as time went on I knew that’s what I wanted to do and I went for it. Because I built value by showing forth effort I got the job with that company in the retail store. So, I went from receptionist to inside sales. Then, after some time, I applied for an outside sales job and got the promotion. Here is what I brought to the table each time; I wasn’t a quitter, and I had enthusiasm.

Enthusiasm always sells! I proved by my actions that I could strategically sell their product. In a retail environment a non sales minded person things it’s just punching a time card, but for the employer you’ve got to show you’re value in pushing the numbers and how you’re going to do that. With no sales experience you will have to enthusiastically tell them what you know and love about their products and how you can sell that. You’ll basically be selling yourself and the value of what you do know and how rapid of a learner you are.

Don’t quite!
Be enthusiastic!
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