Career Change

Hello All

I am new to this site (obviously) and hope to learn more about a life in sales.

A little about myself:

I have working in the pharmaceutical industry (Quality Assurance) for about 14 years. Over the past several years, I have become un-enchanted with "corporate" life and the the fact that salary/raises have little to due with one's performance.

About 1 1/2 years ago I invested in 2 businesses (pizza shops). I left the pharmaceutical industry to focus on the businesses. I loved the challenge and yet flexibility of the role. However, the $$$ reality did not match the information provided by the seller ( another story for another day), and I found myself needing to go back into pharmaceuticals for survival.

Unfortunately, the company I worked for closed its facility at the end of 2007. While I could go back to pharma, I really would like to explore a sales career.

I have looked at numerous job postings and company websites to ascertain information. I look forward to looking here to learn much more.

I do not know if this is the correct place to inquire about specific companies or positions (or if it's allowed at all), but I would appreciate feedback on 2 possibilities which I am considering.

If someone could confirm the acceptability of that type of question, I would then pose it.

I would also appreciate any advice as far as what areas/positions/companies to seek out or avoid.

Regards,

Hi Dargo. Welcome to SalesPractice.

Find a good company in network marketing or multi level marketing also called direct sales. I did twelve years ago and it's been the best business decison of my life.

Public misconception about network marketing is fairly common but I can tell you that in the BNI group I've belonged to for five years now a third of the members I know have side businesses with network marketing companies - they just don't believe they can earn a good income in them OR are occupied with their primary business.

A highly motivated individual with a good company can build a solid income including residuals from high five into six figures - some into seven figures. I know many who have done that BECAUSE they were able to transfer their work ethic, organizational skills, and business habits into this model.

Avoid pyramid schemes. Also, if the company is public check it out online. Unique products are extremely important though some people have been successful with companies offering look alike retail products.

In checking out a company look at its past track record and how it positions itself. Shy away from those which promote with hype or magic cures, get rich quick messages, or slick marketing tricks attempting to "pull" people in to the fold.

Also look for what training is available and study the compensation plan which can be daunting - they can be complicated.

A good company pays on product sales, not recruiting; a good company has low start up costs with both product guarantees and business investment cost guarantees. A good company rewards you for your work effort not just downline AND is structured so that anyone downline can out earn upline.

Network marketing as a full time career features total time freedom and geographical freedom - the ability to build distribution networks internationally using technology.

Those are my recommendations and the best to you.

MitchM

What is it that appeals to you about sales? When you picture yourself doing well in a sales position, what is that you'd think you would be good at? What skills do you think you have that would make you do well in selling?

If you could share some of those answers, it would help us to get to know you a bit, and maybe some answers will surface.

Skip

Thank you for the replies.

To answer the questions regarding what appeals to me about sales, I offer the following thoughts.

I want to make as much money as my effort and skill affords. I am very comfortable speaking with people when I am prepared and believe in what I am "selling". I have led a fair amount of training sessions, team meetings, and presented information to executive board members.

I believe my strengths include: maturity, integrity, the ability to listen, and the ability to learn quickly.

I see myself selling something critical to peoples' lives for a well respected company. Some industries that came to mind were insurance, real estate, pharmaceuticals.

I would appreciate any thoughts, and please let me know if more information would help.

Regards,

I would recommend two things:

1. Take a sales assessment. Find out what your sales strengths are and what you weaknesses are. You can find someone online to provide one, for a fee.

2. Do informational interviews with people who currently sell in pharma, real estate and insurance. Find out what they do, what challenges they have, what their typical day is like, etc.

There are so many different types of selling that it's challenging to point you in a direction without knowing how you view selling or what you're good at. For instance, pharmaceutical sales is usually very different from real estate sales.

- Are you willing to prospect? Would you be good at it?
- Can you close sales? Product knowledge is important, being likable is important, but can you turn conversations into revenue?
- How do you feel about working evenings and weekends? (a must for real estate agents).
- etc.