Entry Level Sales Positions: Finding A Niche

Are you interested in pursuing an entry level sales position after graduation? The ability to sell is a science and an art within its own right. Some entry level sales positions require an additional talents – research skills and patience. With the right tools and preparation, you will move to a manager position in no time.

Opportunities in Sales
Entry level sales positions are becoming an everyday need within the business world so candidates pursue the opportunity. If you are smart, you will take advantage of an entry level sales position to develop transferable skills like verbal communication, sales processes, client management, and consistency. Many graduates enter this field with an assumption that selling products are easy when you smile hard. Well, sorry to bust your bubble but it’s more.
Walk the Talk
Communication skills are vital in the sales world because clients do not want products a salesperson can’t articulate. For example, have you ever ran into an entry level salesperson with a great smile, but horrible sales pitch? What was your response? For most of us, an entry level sales position means breaking through our fear of rejection. Many salespersons forget the purpose of product knowledge: know what you are selling before you make the call!
How Do I Make the Call?
An entry level sales position puts you in a bind of understanding sales processes. The development of prospecting, researching, contacting, and introductions to your company require time. In most businesses, their entry level salespeople are trained of the company’s operations for success. Develop an edge in this area – study sales management books and magazines. Capitalize on the tried-and-true methods of sales managers in your industry. Entry level jobs such as sales will make you find the inner strength to talk to anyone.
Stay Ahead of The Competition
Sales managers are eager to hire candidates fluent of the sales art. Not to say you should study everything (unless you want to become an entrepreneur), but you should practice pitching to local small businesses. For instance, try to sell your hobby to a few people to see how they react then evaluate your performance. Are you afraid of rejection? Others in pursuit of entry level sales positions are just as scared as you are. Keep your head up and look prospects in the eye. A sales manager will find you to be an asset of their company – if you do it right. You could find yourself in an even better position if you sell products you buy yourself; this is a niche. Niches are passionate issues we all love to share with others. My niche is writing/copywriting so I practice selling my talent and skills to help my jitters. An entry level sales position would help me surpass these cues, but I prefer to learn the process first.
Try it for once – sell a hobby to someone then apply for a sales position doing what you love. You will have an advantage over the competition and you will have a niche.