In this article, we’ll go over what you actually do in a sales job, what to look for when applying for positions, and the 7 types of sales jobs you should consider trying your hand at.
7 Types of Sales Jobs: Which fits you best?
At their core, sales jobs are extremely straightforward: you are responsible for selling a product or service to customers. Although this sounds simple, sales can be complex and challenging depending on what’s being sold. This is especially true in B2B environments and for companies selling technical products like medical equipment, software, or technology.
Fortunately, a wide variety of sales jobs are available for newcomers and those with more experience. Entry-level positions are a dime a dozen, where even those with little experience are considered for the job. In fact, some employers actually prefer to hire those with zero experience because they don’t have any old habits that need to be corrected through sales coaching.
Succeeding in sales jobs combines having a healthy work environment and maintaining motivation. Patience is a virtue in sales, and handling rejection is a key tenet of high-performance sales.
Other traits that help succeed in sales positions include:
- Good communication skills
- Identifying customer needs
- Effectively handling objections
How to Get Sales Experience for Your Resume
All types of formal and informal sales training will help you in your career in sales. Sales experience is all-encompassing. Any time you try to convince someone to invest or take action, you’re practicing sales skills.
However, some types of experience can be considered more valuable to employers, so it’s vital you earn experience that can be used on your CV and in job interviews.
First-hand sales experience is the most valuable to employers and your skill development. Informal training that doesn’t focus on progressing skills is the least sought after. For example, door-to-door sales don’t often have formal training programs, so they may not be great for advancing your career.
Types of Sales Experience
While the quality of sales experience ultimately matters most, the type of experience you gain also matters.
There are 2 main ways to get your first sales experience under your belt:
- Entry-Level Positions: Starting from the bottom doesn’t necessarily pay well (monetarily), but can have a massive impact on your long-term sales career. These jobs often pay a combination of salary and commissions or commissions-only, making it difficult to earn consistent pay. Many consider real-world sales experience most valuable, so you should get an entry-level position as soon as possible.
- Sales Training Programs: Paying for a sales training program is a strong supplementary approach to earning sales experience. Your best bet is to look for local sales organizations that offer training or enroll in an online sales training program like HubSpot Academy.
What to Look for in a Sales Job
Before you even apply for sales jobs, it’s essential to understand what to look for in a position. Here are some criteria you should consider in your job search:
- Sales Compensation: Money is a primary driving force in motivating salespeople, and you are no different. Bills need to be paid, and you need to feel comfortable with your compensation package. You should consider what type of compensation is right for you: Are you okay with commission-only? Or would you prefer a salary plus commissions to feel more safe?
- Industry and Career Path: What types of industries are you most interested in? Is there a niche you have a passion for that you’d like to pursue a long-term career path in? The industry you choose to work in will shape the day-to-day work, so you should think about what path to take. For example, B2B SaaS sales positions will have you building relationships with prospects over a longer period of time than selling directly to consumers in retail.
- Lead Sources: When applying for sales positions, consider what types of leads you prefer to work with. Cold calling isn’t for everyone; many prefer to work with warm, inbound leads. Once you grasp what lead sources you’re comfortable with, be proactive in applying for jobs that align.
The 7 Types of Sales Jobs You Should Consider Applying For
In this section, we’ll cover some of the best entry-level positions you can apply for with little experience, as well as jobs you should strive to earn via promotion once you’re a little later down the road in your career journey.
Retail Sales Associate
Retail sales associates work in retail stores and have various responsibilities, including greeting customers, answering questions, managing inventory, and taking payments for product sales.
This is an excellent entry point into sales, suitable for anyone without formal experience or sales training. The higher priced items you sell in retail, the better the sales experience you’ll gain because it requires more in-depth product knowledge and stronger skills to close deals. For example, working at an electronics store can be considered a better sales experience than a fast fashion retail store.
Sales Development Representative (SDR)
SDRs handle the first stage of the sales funnel: research, prospecting, and qualifying leads. From here, they pass on the sales-qualified leads to sales representatives who work on closing the sale.
If the pressure of meeting sales quotas is out of your comfort zone, an SDR position might be for you since your quotas are based on activity (number of calls made or cold emails sent).
Account Manager
Account managers are usually the main point of contact for a customer. They are responsible for managing the relationships between the organization and its customers.
In practice, sales management assigns them customers, and they manage communications to ensure their needs are being met. From here, customer needs are shared with appropriate teams in the organization and any new updates or progress is reported back to the customer.
Sales Operations Manager
The sales operations manager’s role is to reduce friction in sales processes to help the organization meet its long-term goals. This is done by implementing sales software like Instantly (cold email outreach software, CRM, and more all-in-one) and using sales enablement best practices.
Sales Engineer
Sales engineers are professionals who enhance sales processes for complex, scientific, or technologically advanced products. With expertise in both sales and engineering, they simplify technical information to ensure clear and effective communication.
Being a sales engineer offers the unique opportunity to bridge the gap between technical intricacies and customer needs. This allows professionals to develop innovative solutions while engaging with cutting-edge technologies. Sales engineers get paid quite well compared to entry-level positions because of their technical prowess and value to the sales organization.
Business Development Manager
A Business Development Manager (BDM) is crucial in driving a company's growth by identifying new business opportunities, nurturing relationships with potential clients, and developing strategies to expand the market presence. They are responsible for negotiating deals, managing partnerships, and collaborating with different departments to ensure the seamless integration of new business initiatives.
BDMs are generally well-compensated, as their role directly impacts the company's revenue and growth. Salaries vary significantly based on industry and region, but they most often include a base salary and performance-based bonuses.
Getting hired as a Business Development Manager can be competitive, as the role requires a blend of skills, including strong communication, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of market dynamics.
Director of Sales
In this role, you’ll take on a more strategic position than a sales manager, reporting directly to the VP of Sales and relaying executive directives to the sales team. You will be responsible for your department's performance, with bonuses tied to meeting or exceeding sales quotas. Your responsibilities will include budgeting, managing team members, recruiting, and driving business development initiatives.
What sales jobs pay the most?
Sales jobs that pay the most often involve roles that combine a high base salary with lucrative commission structures. Roles like Sales Directors, Enterprise Sales Executives, and Director of Sales typically offer substantial earning potential due to their strategic importance and the expertise required.
These roles involve managing large sales volumes, building strong relationships with key clients, making strategic decisions, and leading sizable teams. Success requires proven sales experience, leadership skills, and a solid understanding of market dynamics. A hybrid pay structure motivates employees to hit and surpass sales goals, supporting overall company growth.
Key Takeaways
Whether you’re new to your sales career or a seasoned veteran, there are just 2 ways to get sales experience: working in a sales position and going through formal sales training.
Once you get experience under your belt, you can start thinking about applying for relevant sales positions.
To recap, here are some things to look for when looking for a sales job:
- High Earning Potential: Sales roles such as Sales Directors and Enterprise Sales Executives offer significant income through a combination of high base salaries and lucrative commission structures.
- Strategic Importance: These positions are crucial for companies because they manage large sales volumes and make critical business decisions that drive company growth.
- Essential Skills: Success in these roles requires proven sales experience, exceptional leadership abilities, and a deep understanding of market dynamics and client relationships.
- Leadership and Team Management: Effective team leadership and building and maintaining strong client relationships are vital components of high-paying sales jobs.
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