Sales job for 18 year old
Discussion
Hello pistonheaders, i'm having an early "career crisis" and would appreciate some help being the kind people that you are.
So basically i'll start with the information, Im 18 and currently in college studying for an NVQ2 in Mechanical Engineering with a job in line for me when i pass the course in July. However, i don't think this is the right line of work for me to go down and instead would like to go down the sales route.
So what i want to know is how do you get into sales? I've seen jobs advertised but all are looking for previous experience which is frustrating.
Also, what is working in sales like, and what companies would be the best to apply for? and just general information about sales jobs really.
Thank you to all who help in advance!
So basically i'll start with the information, Im 18 and currently in college studying for an NVQ2 in Mechanical Engineering with a job in line for me when i pass the course in July. However, i don't think this is the right line of work for me to go down and instead would like to go down the sales route.
So what i want to know is how do you get into sales? I've seen jobs advertised but all are looking for previous experience which is frustrating.
Also, what is working in sales like, and what companies would be the best to apply for? and just general information about sales jobs really.
Thank you to all who help in advance!
Sales is a very broad term.
What has changed your mind about your current course/the guaranteed job?
What is the guaranteed job? Who is it with?
Could there be the possibility of 'serving your time' as a Mechanical Engineer then move into a sales position there?
Why do you think 'sales' is now the right career for you?
What has changed your mind about your current course/the guaranteed job?
What is the guaranteed job? Who is it with?
Could there be the possibility of 'serving your time' as a Mechanical Engineer then move into a sales position there?
Why do you think 'sales' is now the right career for you?
I'm not actually sure what has changed my mind to be honest, not really enjoying the work and seeing the salaries of some engineering jobs is probably the main reasons.
The job is as a fitter apprenticeship at Doncasters and in all fairness they do seem like a good company. However, there is no possibility of moving into sales at that company.
I also do not know why i think sales is the right career but i do think i would do very good at it.
I'm in sales and it's not all it's cracked up to be a lot of the time. People think we swan about doing very little, when in fact the pressure you come under to hit targets is immense. When you're on form, you fly. When things are in a lull, it's horrendous. I'm currently in a lull, and wishing I had a normal 9-5 where I can leave work at work and not have a couple of hours' worth of admin to do having been on the road all day.
I guess it's like any job; has its positives and negatives. If you're someone who thrives under high pressure with the skin of an elephant, go for it. The best route in is through FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods). I started out with Coca-Cola in a semi-merchandising role which was enough to get me a foot in the door with a move to b2b (business-to-business). A good place to look is The Grocer ( www.thegrocer.co.uk ) for 'starter' sales roles. I would say that in the early days, WHAT you're selling isn't so important - HOW you learn to sell is what matters. Whilst you may not have a genuine passion for your products (I worked for a water filter company for a bit, and there's nothing really to be passionate about!) I've felt it's important to have an absolute belief in your product; you don't have to love the product, but you definitely have to believe in what you're telling your customers.
Be ready to be blamed for anything going wrong (you're the customer's point of contact with the company you represent) and you'll need to be resilient and able to take knocks. I've been in sales for over a decade and I still marvel at the new and inventive ways people find to be rude from time to time.
First step is to take any sales role you can to get that all-important experience. From there, you can decide where you want to go with your new-found skills.
I guess it's like any job; has its positives and negatives. If you're someone who thrives under high pressure with the skin of an elephant, go for it. The best route in is through FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods). I started out with Coca-Cola in a semi-merchandising role which was enough to get me a foot in the door with a move to b2b (business-to-business). A good place to look is The Grocer ( www.thegrocer.co.uk ) for 'starter' sales roles. I would say that in the early days, WHAT you're selling isn't so important - HOW you learn to sell is what matters. Whilst you may not have a genuine passion for your products (I worked for a water filter company for a bit, and there's nothing really to be passionate about!) I've felt it's important to have an absolute belief in your product; you don't have to love the product, but you definitely have to believe in what you're telling your customers.
Be ready to be blamed for anything going wrong (you're the customer's point of contact with the company you represent) and you'll need to be resilient and able to take knocks. I've been in sales for over a decade and I still marvel at the new and inventive ways people find to be rude from time to time.
First step is to take any sales role you can to get that all-important experience. From there, you can decide where you want to go with your new-found skills.
I got into sales by signing up with the high street agencies for temp work during university breaks etc. I got lots of call centre and telesales work rather than face to face. This suited me as I wasn't really all that confident to start with.
There's definitely pressure, and I haven't done much else to be able to compare it with, but IMO it's a very rewarding thing to do, and yes it definitely pays better than most other careers if you're good at it.
I would say don't be too quick to pack in your course just yet though, for a couple of reaasons.
Firstly, sales is not for everyone, and I would reckon on 50% of new starters not making it through the first year. Including many who have the "gift-of-the-gab" and who achieve great things in their first few months. Have something to fall back on incase it doesn't work out.
Secondly, having a specialism like a good understanding of mechanical engineering opens the door to technical sales which is often more lucrative and more interesting.
I would recommend you try and fit a few hours of telesales or something around your course, or maybe a Saturday at a car dealers, and get a taste for sales first. If all is well pursue that as your career, and if not you still have other options.
Good luck.
There's definitely pressure, and I haven't done much else to be able to compare it with, but IMO it's a very rewarding thing to do, and yes it definitely pays better than most other careers if you're good at it.
I would say don't be too quick to pack in your course just yet though, for a couple of reaasons.
Firstly, sales is not for everyone, and I would reckon on 50% of new starters not making it through the first year. Including many who have the "gift-of-the-gab" and who achieve great things in their first few months. Have something to fall back on incase it doesn't work out.
Secondly, having a specialism like a good understanding of mechanical engineering opens the door to technical sales which is often more lucrative and more interesting.
I would recommend you try and fit a few hours of telesales or something around your course, or maybe a Saturday at a car dealers, and get a taste for sales first. If all is well pursue that as your career, and if not you still have other options.
Good luck.
Funk did make me smile, especially about the innovation clients show for displaying their displeasure.
Think about your course and the value you would add to a company, I am not sure of how many companies employ 18 year olds and give them company cars. You may have to opt for internal sales and when you do well look for a role externally with them.
The grocer is a good place to start though be prepared to work hard for not much money. What those types of jobs do for you is to instil procedure and process. Other organisations see FMCG as a proving ground and take people from that background. Selling mars bars could get you a job working for a sports retailer for example.
Echo the comments about being able to leave work at the office door and go home. It would be good if you had some engineering qualifications so that you could remain semi technical, keeps other options open.
Think about your course and the value you would add to a company, I am not sure of how many companies employ 18 year olds and give them company cars. You may have to opt for internal sales and when you do well look for a role externally with them.
The grocer is a good place to start though be prepared to work hard for not much money. What those types of jobs do for you is to instil procedure and process. Other organisations see FMCG as a proving ground and take people from that background. Selling mars bars could get you a job working for a sports retailer for example.
Echo the comments about being able to leave work at the office door and go home. It would be good if you had some engineering qualifications so that you could remain semi technical, keeps other options open.
Its perfectly possible to work in sales and leave the office at half 5 and forget about it.
Personally I fell into it I suppose, I've tried selling a few different things, cars, houses, advertising and stuck with the latter, its pretty interesting, and it has many perks.
Be ready for everyone to degrade what you do though, tihs country is like that to salesman, in the US they're seen very differently, sadly not here.
Personally I fell into it I suppose, I've tried selling a few different things, cars, houses, advertising and stuck with the latter, its pretty interesting, and it has many perks.
Be ready for everyone to degrade what you do though, tihs country is like that to salesman, in the US they're seen very differently, sadly not here.
That is very true.
It was fairly common in car sales for people with kids eearning their basic some months, which is obviously not ideal at all.
I read on here actually that if you're not a sales manager by 30 assuming you got into it in your early 20's then you're doing something wrong...not too sure how much is in that, but its certainly something to bear in mind.
It was fairly common in car sales for people with kids eearning their basic some months, which is obviously not ideal at all.
I read on here actually that if you're not a sales manager by 30 assuming you got into it in your early 20's then you're doing something wrong...not too sure how much is in that, but its certainly something to bear in mind.
As has been said before sales is a very broad term indeed.
One the one hand there is the phone monkey level of selling where you are just sat cold calling people from dusk till dawn - it takes a certain kind of person to do this - one with a very high boredom threshhold and a thick skin.
At the other end of the scale there is the complex solution sale - but this isn's something that you can just drop into at 18 years old - to have any level of credibility you will really need to have a deep understandning of your industry, your product and your customers business - you will be dealing with very senior people often in blue chip organisations - you are aiming to become a trusted advisor rather than a salesman. This type of work can be very rewarding, very interesting, pay very well and provide a long term career. But it's something you work up to.
What is it about sales that attracts you? And what do you want to sell? - It's very difficult to sell something that you have no understanding or, or interest in.
One the one hand there is the phone monkey level of selling where you are just sat cold calling people from dusk till dawn - it takes a certain kind of person to do this - one with a very high boredom threshhold and a thick skin.
At the other end of the scale there is the complex solution sale - but this isn's something that you can just drop into at 18 years old - to have any level of credibility you will really need to have a deep understandning of your industry, your product and your customers business - you will be dealing with very senior people often in blue chip organisations - you are aiming to become a trusted advisor rather than a salesman. This type of work can be very rewarding, very interesting, pay very well and provide a long term career. But it's something you work up to.
What is it about sales that attracts you? And what do you want to sell? - It's very difficult to sell something that you have no understanding or, or interest in.
okgo said:
That is very true.
It was fairly common in car sales for people with kids eearning their basic some months, which is obviously not ideal at all.
I read on here actually that if you're not a sales manager by 30 assuming you got into it in your early 20's then you're doing something wrong...not too sure how much is in that, but its certainly something to bear in mind.
It sounds about right. Basically if you're still in after 2 years you're either doing well or hanging by a thread, and if you're doing well then 2 years experience is easily enough to start imparting some wisdom to a new hire.It was fairly common in car sales for people with kids eearning their basic some months, which is obviously not ideal at all.
I read on here actually that if you're not a sales manager by 30 assuming you got into it in your early 20's then you're doing something wrong...not too sure how much is in that, but its certainly something to bear in mind.
Do the engineering thing and then become a technical sales person. This is what I did and I really enjoyed it. Also it means you learn about the commercial side more which has greater longer term possibilities - I'm hoping to be promoted to technical director with my current employer within the next few years.
Also make sure it is a product you believe in. If you're not a natural sales person who can sell anything, it needs to be a decent range of products. If you think it's a load of crap then you'll struggle unless you like lying to people.
Also make sure it is a product you believe in. If you're not a natural sales person who can sell anything, it needs to be a decent range of products. If you think it's a load of crap then you'll struggle unless you like lying to people.
Interesting point about being a sales manager; I actually don't want to be one (I'm 32). I've often found over the years that good salespeople don't necessarily make good managers - the skills required are very different. To become a sales manager at my current company isn't something I'd want to do, as it would take me from being out on the road seeing customers to being a glorified spreadsheet-monkey doing number-crunching and a few field accomps each week. As odd as it sounds, I'd miss being in front of customers and selling.
No, I do see what you mean, it would be very similar here, still an element of sales and what not, but the most part is reporting upwards on endless figures and spreadsheets.
Still, I don't want to have 'executive' after my job title in 6 years time, not only is is a complete oxymoron, but its embarassing
Still, I don't want to have 'executive' after my job title in 6 years time, not only is is a complete oxymoron, but its embarassing
Here's a bit of advice.
At 18 most people don't know what they really want to do and change their minds many times before settling down.
Get your qualifications in what your doing now, your young and have plenty of time to try alternatives later in life. And if that doesn't work out you will still have your qualifications to fall back on.
Speedyman
At 18 most people don't know what they really want to do and change their minds many times before settling down.
Get your qualifications in what your doing now, your young and have plenty of time to try alternatives later in life. And if that doesn't work out you will still have your qualifications to fall back on.
Speedyman
Gargamel said:
Nothing sadder than an ageing salesman still on the front line (see Arthur Miller for details)
Funk said:
Interesting point about being a sales manager; I actually don't want to be one (I'm 32).
One thing about a sales job which is probably fairly unique is that you can get to a good level of income without having people directly reporting to you. I switched to an office based role for a couple of years and with half-a-dozen people reporting to you you become a personnel manager. As a sales guy (or girl) you have none of that crap.Deva Link said:
Funk said:
Interesting point about being a sales manager; I actually don't want to be one (I'm 32).
One thing about a sales job which is probably fairly unique is that you can get to a good level of income without having people directly reporting to you. I switched to an office based role for a couple of years and with half-a-dozen people reporting to you you become a personnel manager. As a sales guy (or girl) you have none of that crap.That's true Funk, some people don't really want to move into management and it is certainly possible in recruitment just to be a big billing consultant year after year, make a tidy living and never really manage people.
But can you see that keeping you interested for the next 20 or 30 years?
Fair play to you if you can. I'm the same age as you and really couldn't see that holding my interest.
But can you see that keeping you interested for the next 20 or 30 years?
Fair play to you if you can. I'm the same age as you and really couldn't see that holding my interest.
Thank you for the help guys, some great advice there as expected from ph 
I think i'm going to finish off my course and start my apprenticeship while still applying and looking into sales jobs. That way if something good comes up i will not miss it but still gain experience from the apprenticeship
I think i'm going to finish off my course and start my apprenticeship while still applying and looking into sales jobs. That way if something good comes up i will not miss it but still gain experience from the apprenticeship
I too am 18 at the moment, left school at 16 and trained to be an independent financial advisor, i did sales part time then due to a collapse of the company i was working for i ended up working at British Gas doing sales for them for 6 months- as said above its not all its cracked up to be! Ido really enjoy it i must say but sometimes especially on days when its not going your way it can create issues. i think as with many things its down to the company you work for and the boss which you have, 5 months of the 6 i worked there i had a really good boss who managed to help me work my way up slightly and gave me alot of advice and tips. for the month when i had a different boss i hated it, he had no motivation at all and all he cared about was his targets and nothing else as with many managers ive came across in the past. If you wanted to go into a sales job and there was a vacancy at british gas near to yourself then let me know and i could get a word put in but if i was you id look to finish your current course and get the qualification and then at the end if you still think you would enjoy it then go for it then! Ive gone back to being an independent financial advisor, finishing my last few exams so that i can trade by myself because at the moment although i have my own small business i cant fully trade myself as i have exams 'missing' so to speak so have to sub contract much of my work. Dont know if any of that has been of any use to yourself (probably not knowing how much i can go on!) but thats my experience for what its worth!
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