Ask the Experts: How to Find a High Paying Sales Job
Question:
I have held several marketing-related positions and am pursuing a part-time MBA through an on-line school. I was just downsized so am looking for a new
job. I’m interested in business-to-business sales. I am particularly
interested in anything that represents very high earnings potential such as
pharmaceutical or medical device sales, but I will not work for commission
only. Any suggestions?
First Answer:
You have to walk before you can run which translates into, you need to learn the basics before either being safe to run or anyone allowing you to take off and pay you the big bucks. It is terrific that you have your sights set ambitiously but before you can reap huge dollars, you will need to prove yourself to the person who will have to lay these out AND you need to prepare yourself for this challenge since you want to be successful and move up and make more, not just get a shot that you are poorly prepared to handle and perform well.
All of this means that you need to start in a situation where you can learn and refine your sales skills. If you can’t parlay your marketing background into a mid-level sales position, consider coming in at a more junior level with an understanding of your objectives and a plan to help you achieve them. This career change may necessitate a process of several steps. First to get into the fields of pharmaceuticals or medical devices using what you have in marketing and the transtioning over to sales or taking a sales job in the industry where you already have proven knowledge based on your background. Making a leap both over and out may be an unrealistic goal or it may take far more time than you want to devote to being out of work (which also is not a career enhancer).
— Debra Feldman, founder of JobWhiz, creator of the JOBWHIZQUIZ, and specialist in cyber savvy strategic job search consultations
Second Answer:
The direction in which you are currently pointed is right for the field in which you indicate interest. Pharmaceutical and medical device sales
organizations prefer people with four year or better business or life
science degrees. Experience is equally sought particularly in health fields
or hospital sales. A strong documented field sales record in another fields
may substitute for the desired specific sales experience.
Excellent communications and presentation skills are demanded. You will be dealing with some of the most sophisticatedly trained individuals in our
society, each one an independent businessperson with no patience for time
wasters. Thus, you must be focused, know your products intimately and know
your competitors products equally well. Being able to present you case
effectively, handle sales presentations to groups and develop creative
strategies to reach “hard-to-see” physicians will be key to your success.
Professional sales is a highly measurable career. You meet your assigned goals or you don’t. You must positively impact sales or someone else will
be found that can. For this effort and expectation you will be well
rewarded monetarily. But it is a lonely job because many nights are spent
away from family and home in motels, entertaining clients some of whom you
may not care for personally. This can get old quickly and regardless of
your earnings there may be little to compensate you emotionally.
You asked for suggestions, I tried to ignore your focus on money but…
Instead of doing what you love and letting the money follow as is current
wisdom, you seem to feel that you will do what somebody else loves for the
money. This is not a good long-term focus in my view.
My suggestion is to do some self-evaluations of your way of working, what are your strengths and skills, to become aware of what affects your job
satisfaction. Knowing your natural work preferences will provide you with a
link between work and personal satisfaction.
With your downsizing you have been presented with an excellent opportunity to take stock of yourself and your needs, wishes and desires. Use it well; your life depends on it.
— Robert C. Resch, Career Center, Triton College
