Doing a sales job for a while as personal development?
Discussion
Has anyone ever taken a sales job as a form of personal development? Was it an educational experience, or did you just spend a couple of years earning nothing and reaffirming that you really don't like sales?
I am by nature a fairly straightforward, irreverent and verbose person with little self or situational awareness when it comes to how or to whom I present my opinion. I generally feel it's never really been a day-to-day problem since fixing machines tends to be a works/doesn't work deal and fault-finding is pretty much all you do. And socially it doesn't really cause me any problems as I am evidently a fairly likable chap to most people I associate with.
It does occur to me, however, that I don't interview well (opinionated, definitely talk too much!), lack persuasion in (personal) group arguments even when I have what I feel is overwhelming evidence/authority in my favour and am rubbish at spotting the motivations of others and behaving accordingly. I am also rubbish at bartering as I don't want to offend complete strangers with low ball offers which they might actually have been happy with, it's like my logical thinking is at odds with my general character.
When I was a teenager I was much more empathatic than I am now and back then I saw sales people as fake-smiling unprincipled manipulative parasites. However years living in London, or maybe just being older and less moralistic, has made me appreciate that (whilst that description certainly fits many) how you say something is just as (often more) important as what you say, and that you're not being dishonest just because you don't qualify your every positive statement with three negatives.
Any people here who sell for a living have any suggestions as to the kind of job which is useful for improving your self presentation and overcomming fear of rejection without feeling like you're lying through your teeth for money or robbing people?
I am by nature a fairly straightforward, irreverent and verbose person with little self or situational awareness when it comes to how or to whom I present my opinion. I generally feel it's never really been a day-to-day problem since fixing machines tends to be a works/doesn't work deal and fault-finding is pretty much all you do. And socially it doesn't really cause me any problems as I am evidently a fairly likable chap to most people I associate with.
It does occur to me, however, that I don't interview well (opinionated, definitely talk too much!), lack persuasion in (personal) group arguments even when I have what I feel is overwhelming evidence/authority in my favour and am rubbish at spotting the motivations of others and behaving accordingly. I am also rubbish at bartering as I don't want to offend complete strangers with low ball offers which they might actually have been happy with, it's like my logical thinking is at odds with my general character.
When I was a teenager I was much more empathatic than I am now and back then I saw sales people as fake-smiling unprincipled manipulative parasites. However years living in London, or maybe just being older and less moralistic, has made me appreciate that (whilst that description certainly fits many) how you say something is just as (often more) important as what you say, and that you're not being dishonest just because you don't qualify your every positive statement with three negatives.
Any people here who sell for a living have any suggestions as to the kind of job which is useful for improving your self presentation and overcomming fear of rejection without feeling like you're lying through your teeth for money or robbing people?
Edited by glazbagun on Saturday 30th April 11:44
Whilst you may not appreciate it, from what you have written you clearly do have some level of self-awareness and are able to reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses, which is half the battle (I deal with lots of clients who really struggle with this concept so to have some insight from the off puts you well ahead).
How you improve going forward is of course the challenge but it may not require such a drastic move as a whole change of career. There are tools and techniques readily available to improve all that you have said, but as I say, you're already well on your way. What may help I sense here is some coaching; simply going in to a sales job may just allow you to perpetuate the issues you have already identified.
Good luck!
How you improve going forward is of course the challenge but it may not require such a drastic move as a whole change of career. There are tools and techniques readily available to improve all that you have said, but as I say, you're already well on your way. What may help I sense here is some coaching; simply going in to a sales job may just allow you to perpetuate the issues you have already identified.
Good luck!
glazbagun said:
Any people here who sell for a living have any suggestions as to the kind of job which is useful for improving your self presentation and overcomming fear of rejection without feeling like you're lying through your teeth for money or robbing people?
No sales job comes without some rejection always an alternative to your product out there,if you are lying through your teeth or robbing people you ain't in the right job. B2B sales where the sale is much more consultative would be the route I would take.I'd echo what rog has said. Just jumping into a sales job would be akin to curing a phobia of spiders by getting a job in London Zoo's insect house. Rather a kill or cure treatment. My gut feeling is that it would destroy you pretty quickly as you dealt with pressure from above to hit targets together with rejections. Remember "Gill" in the Simpsons? (http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Gil_Gunderson)
If you need a new job and really want to confront your demons, then perhaps a job in pre-sales, working with the sales team but on a more consultative basis. The technical expert to back up the all-mouth-and-no-trousers salesman.
If you need a new job and really want to confront your demons, then perhaps a job in pre-sales, working with the sales team but on a more consultative basis. The technical expert to back up the all-mouth-and-no-trousers salesman.
Not sure I'd say sales so much as do something customer facing in a retail type environment, could be food, could be hospitality, could be selling stuff but the main thing is you come into contact with a lot of people.
I spent a couple of years in retail when I was younger and whilst I hated the sales side of it, I do genuinely think it gave me some skills that I see missing in a lot of my colleagues who simply have no idea how to handle people.
I spent a couple of years in retail when I was younger and whilst I hated the sales side of it, I do genuinely think it gave me some skills that I see missing in a lot of my colleagues who simply have no idea how to handle people.
I am a Sales rep for one of the leading food suppliers. I go into supermarkets and small stores to try get additional space on the shop floor for products. The stock is already there so it's just a case of getting authorisation to move things about. I have targets to meet but these are achievable if you go towards it with the right attitude. Perhaps something like that would be more suited to you ? I work in the grocery side of things but you can get roles in the pubs etc too
Thanks for the replies guys, lots to think about. I've hopefully not given the impression that I'm a total hermit! 
Before going to uni I worked in customer services at an airport, so there was a time when I'd fearlessly be able to tell a planeful of people they weren't going to be home for Christmas and here's a £2.50 voucher instead, but that kind of customer service is largely about managing expectations, empathizing with customers and converting their rage into despondent resignation. 
Joking aside, it's a pretty reactive kind of behavior. Something it did teach me, and which surprised me at the time, was that being super-helpful and full of explanations was a very ineffective way of managing problems. By engaging people at all you just seemed to invite argument, wheras after a few years you'd develop an automated sympathetic/patient/bored face and agree that it was really unfortunate as they offloaded their rant on you. People don't really care why their plane/luggage is late, only that it is. As a result I feel I'm quite pliant and more used to taking pressure than giving it.
Considering self employment means I'll be responsible for selling my services and being the sole representative of my business however. So (aside from not wanting to go mad with my own company) I feel it's about time I learn how to proactively sell myself and services. I thought a part or (if I initially struggle for money) full time sales job might be a way to kill two birds with one stone. Flooble makes a good point, though- I think I'd be suicidal in a call centre selling double glazing.
Am I a good listener? I think so when it comes to what people actually physically tell me, but my weak spot (I would say, I don't really know for sure) is in how I respond to what I see and hear- reading people, energy levels, guiding conversations with subtlety, looking at the customer and not going off on tangents with some-fascinating-way-in-which-I-totally-relate now-listen-to-me-talk-about-myself, holding back my opinions, etc. I seem to react according to my natural character with little thought or moderation for the situation, which is great when people are like myself.
So it occurred to me that a low pressure sales job where I can get training/practice might be worthwhile. Trouble is, not knowing anything about sales, I don't know if such jobs exist!
Before going to uni I worked in customer services at an airport, so there was a time when I'd fearlessly be able to tell a planeful of people they weren't going to be home for Christmas and here's a £2.50 voucher instead, but that kind of customer service is largely about managing expectations, empathizing with customers and converting their rage into despondent resignation. Joking aside, it's a pretty reactive kind of behavior. Something it did teach me, and which surprised me at the time, was that being super-helpful and full of explanations was a very ineffective way of managing problems. By engaging people at all you just seemed to invite argument, wheras after a few years you'd develop an automated sympathetic/patient/bored face and agree that it was really unfortunate as they offloaded their rant on you. People don't really care why their plane/luggage is late, only that it is. As a result I feel I'm quite pliant and more used to taking pressure than giving it.
Considering self employment means I'll be responsible for selling my services and being the sole representative of my business however. So (aside from not wanting to go mad with my own company) I feel it's about time I learn how to proactively sell myself and services. I thought a part or (if I initially struggle for money) full time sales job might be a way to kill two birds with one stone. Flooble makes a good point, though- I think I'd be suicidal in a call centre selling double glazing.
Am I a good listener? I think so when it comes to what people actually physically tell me, but my weak spot (I would say, I don't really know for sure) is in how I respond to what I see and hear- reading people, energy levels, guiding conversations with subtlety, looking at the customer and not going off on tangents with some-fascinating-way-in-which-I-totally-relate now-listen-to-me-talk-about-myself, holding back my opinions, etc. I seem to react according to my natural character with little thought or moderation for the situation, which is great when people are like myself.
So it occurred to me that a low pressure sales job where I can get training/practice might be worthwhile. Trouble is, not knowing anything about sales, I don't know if such jobs exist!
Edited by glazbagun on Sunday 1st May 20:18
Sounds more like Account Management than New Sales, where you tend an existing relationship.
Getting a foot in the door will be a challenge.
However, you are talking about Self-Employment. What kind? There's the kind where you get the work via networking existing contacts and repeat business (6 months sitting at a desk, filling in a timesheet and generating an invoice) and there's the kind where you are going all over winning a days' work here and there or little projects.
Getting a foot in the door will be a challenge.
However, you are talking about Self-Employment. What kind? There's the kind where you get the work via networking existing contacts and repeat business (6 months sitting at a desk, filling in a timesheet and generating an invoice) and there's the kind where you are going all over winning a days' work here and there or little projects.
From reading the first post, I'd say I have very similar personality traits. When I decided to do something about it, I signed up for a counselling course. 3 years on, and I'm now halfway through my diploma.
It's certainly been an eye-opener for someone who has always preferred working with things, rather than people. It can be a bit frustrating sometimes, writing pages about a theory or modality that just seems to be basic common sense, but the group and practical work is fascinating.
I will probably never practice "for real", but I know I have a better understanding of myself, and how I interact with others.
It's certainly been an eye-opener for someone who has always preferred working with things, rather than people. It can be a bit frustrating sometimes, writing pages about a theory or modality that just seems to be basic common sense, but the group and practical work is fascinating.
I will probably never practice "for real", but I know I have a better understanding of myself, and how I interact with others.
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