Sales

ABC – Always Be Closing

A graduate career in sales requires an enormous amount of tenacity, resilience and original thinking. However, by combining all three this will help to ensure a rewarding and successful career. Sales people are essentially the ambassadors of any company and therefore a sharp, smart, bright and positive personal attitude is key.

Contrary to belief, sales is no longer about phone bashing, being pushy or confrontational but more so about working in partnership with your client and coming to the most effective solution to fill their requirements.

What kind of sales roles are available?

This is the $64m question! Almost every organisation/institution has sales opportunities. Therefore the best advice would be to choose an industry/organisation that you have a keen interest in and look at available opportunities through research at careers events, online or through specific journals.

At entry level, roles could be perceived as being a little monotonous, with repetitive calls and a lot of administration. However, this is the key learning pool for all new starters and those that are successful usually demonstrate that they can perform the mundane and follow a structure before moving into management positions or developing entrepreneurial ambitions.

Looking beyond the obvious

This is key in helping anybody secure a position in some very high profile companies. For instance Microsoft and Hewlett Packard are two companies who most observers would view as technology companies. However, the reality is that these types of companies are keen to employ high calibre sales people.

Progression

Sales is very much a person industry and an outgoing but selective personality can open up a whole range of opportunities. Depending on the industry, many people follow a structured path and look to reach positions such as Group Heads, Team Leads, Manager and Directorship levels. However, throughout your career you will work with several other departments internally and this can help in terms of project work.

Finally, many sales people feel that they have the creative flair, contacts and ambition to ‘Go it alone’. This helps in terms of setting up your own business and constantly learning new skills and developments that are associated with this. One word of caution is to research this option thoroughly, particularly in a challenging economic climate.

What are employers looking for?

All employers will be looking for people who can represent their organisation well. Degree educated will help (although not necessary) and open the door to larger organisations. Sales people need to have a multitude of skills including a friendly, approachable personality, business flair, empathy, resilience, tenacity, drive and enthusiasm. 

Is this the right career for you?

This isn’t the career for any shrinking violets. However, the key thing to bear in mind is that it is a ‘what you make of it’ career. Those that are successful are usually competitive in spirit, have sociable hobbies and are tenacious, hard working characters.

If you enjoy throwing yourself into a project, while at the same time being organised, you will succeed in building key relationships and therefore live a rich and prosperous life!

 

Key advice for sales workers

Recruiters in this sector:

adidas

At adidas, it connects us - whether we're working for adidas or Reebok. We're all working towards a future motivated by passion, original thinking, and the desire to build upon a proud legacy

Advanced

Advanced Software Computer Group is a leading provider of software and IT services to the UK public, private and not for profit sectors.

AMAZON.CO.UK

Amazon is made up of builders and innovators, all of whom bring diverse backgrounds, brilliant ideas and varying points of view with them. Our rich tapestry of team members, from all around the world, means that we’re looking for great minds just like yours.

Atomic Live

Atomic Live have partnered with True Nopal to deliver an impact field sales team.

Austin Fraser

We are Austin Fraser, an award-winning, international recruiting company with specialist consultants covering various industries globally.

Aylin White

Established in London in 2008, Aylin White is a successful property, engineering and construction recruitment consultancy with offices near to Moorgate and Liverpool Street Stations.

Boss Professional Services

Boss Professional Services Ltd are an established recruitment consultancy based in Oval, London.

deVere-Group

We provide expert international wealth advice to expatriate clients and international high net worth investors around the world.

Dexters Estate Agents

As the fastest growing independent Estate Agent in London with 35 offices in central London and over 70 in the best locations across the capital, we have exciting opportunities for ambitious graduates who want to build a rewarding and lasting career with us.

Exsus Travel

Exsus is one of the UK's leading luxury tour operators, specialising in bespoke, tailor-made holidays worldwide for almost 20 years

Freddie's Flowers

We deliver stunning flower arrangements with a bit of a wild side to about 11,000 beautiful homes every week.

GlobalData

We are a world-class data and analytics company, helping our 4,000 strong client base to decode the future to be more successful and innovative.

Inside Marketing

Inside Marketing are the leading B2B technology lead generation agency for EMEA.

Jackson-Stops

Jackson-Stops's tailored approach to residential property puts our clients at the centre of all we do. From beginning to end, our knowledge, advice and exceptional service will steer your purchase or sale to a successful completion.

KP Snacks

KP Snacks is one of the biggest snack companies in the UK and part of the Intersnack Group, Europe’s lead producer of savoury snacks by volume.

Meltwater

Meltwater is the global leading media intelligence platform. Our software combines the power of AI with the largest news and social media database in the industry, to bring our clients advanced Media Monitoring, Social Media Listening, Social Media Management, PR Analytics and Influencer Engagement tools.

MHI Vestas

Established in April 2014, we are a joint venture between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Vestas Wind Systems A/S (Vestas). Our parent companies are two of the global leaders in wind and energy, inspiring and leading us forward.

Mountbatten Program

The Mountbatten Program was established in 1984 to connect top global businesses with the brightest young professionals.

PatSnap

PatSnap is a global, hyper-growth, venture-backed start-up with offices in London, Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Singapore, Toronto and LA. Our cloud-based software enables innovators to be more effective in their research and investment decisions and bring new inventions to market faster.

Philip Morris International (PMI)

At Philip Morris International, we’re dedicated to doing something very dramatic – replacing cigarettes with the smoke-free products that we’re developing and selling.

Raccoon Events

Raccoon Events is a dynamic, high-growth events business focused on health and wellbeing markets. Our events are well-timed, community-driven, tightly focused and passion-led. They bring buyers and sellers together to see cutting edge innovations in a fun and exciting way.

Red Academy

RED Academy is a technology & design school with an agency-style environment that focuses on real client projects in UX/UI design, web & app development & digital marketing.

Rendall & Rittner

Rendall & Rittner will be exhibiting at GradJobs Live! London, Thursday 17 & Friday 18 October at Olympia, London. Find out more and book free tickets now.

Rubix

Rubix Technology Solutions provide IT solutions and services to organisations across all verticals globally. ​

Tangible Benefit

We are one of the UK’s leading IT Solutions Providers and Systems Integrators, and our teams work with thousands of customers within the corporate and public workspace across the country.

Tesla

Technology, design and innovation are the defining features of Tesla's drive to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy.

Trailfinders

Experts in tailor-making itineraries worldwide, Trailfinders offers unbeatable value and exceptional service.

Vauxhall Motors

General Motors is the largest automotive manufacturing company in the world with a huge global reach operating in over 200 countries.

Venture Marketing Group

Venture Marketing group is a dynamic London-based events company, producing a portfolio of high-quality exhibitions, magazines and websites.

Vodafone

We have extensive experience in connectivity, convergence and the Internet of Things, as well as championing mobile financial services and digital transformation in emerging markets.