Mobile phone sales job - any thoughts?
Discussion
I have an interview next week with a big mobile provider. It's for a sales/customer assistant position.
My background is mainly IT with customer service thrown in. I knocked IT on the head last September due to hating it and ended up in a customer facing role that I have been doing since January. It's only minimum wage, so just keeps the bills paid.
In relation to the phone sales job, I had a phone interview last week which I passed. I'm now due to go for a face to face interview next week. They have told me I need to go into one of their stores beforehand and note how I'm treated, what is going on etc. It is a target based role.
Does anyone have any experience of a similar role and is willing to share their thoughts on it? Was it ok? Were the targets a nightmare? Did you hate or like it? Etc.
Thanks in advance all.
My background is mainly IT with customer service thrown in. I knocked IT on the head last September due to hating it and ended up in a customer facing role that I have been doing since January. It's only minimum wage, so just keeps the bills paid.
In relation to the phone sales job, I had a phone interview last week which I passed. I'm now due to go for a face to face interview next week. They have told me I need to go into one of their stores beforehand and note how I'm treated, what is going on etc. It is a target based role.
Does anyone have any experience of a similar role and is willing to share their thoughts on it? Was it ok? Were the targets a nightmare? Did you hate or like it? Etc.
Thanks in advance all.
Do you actually have any interest in mobile phones / smart phones / tech etc as if not its just a commodity sell with no real interest.
I'd advise thinking about what you actually enjoy being around and then see if entry level sales roles are available in those industries, you may prefer to sell houses, cars, fruit & veg, absolutely anything ...
I'd advise thinking about what you actually enjoy being around and then see if entry level sales roles are available in those industries, you may prefer to sell houses, cars, fruit & veg, absolutely anything ...
keirik said:
Can you spend 2 hours on a sale that should take 20 minutes filling in inane forms just to see if you can get the poor bugger who just wants a phone to sign up for more and more unnecessary add-ons.
If you can you'll fit right it
Sounds like fun. If you can you'll fit right it
To be fair, I used to spend hours on paperwork in an old job. Filling in forms etc is nothing to me.
dibblecorse said:
Do you actually have any interest in mobile phones / smart phones / tech etc as if not its just a commodity sell with no real interest.
I'd advise thinking about what you actually enjoy being around and then see if entry level sales roles are available in those industries, you may prefer to sell houses, cars, fruit & veg, absolutely anything ...
I do enjoy technology, yes. I like to keep up to date and know the market. When I buy stuff, I do a lot of research.I'd advise thinking about what you actually enjoy being around and then see if entry level sales roles are available in those industries, you may prefer to sell houses, cars, fruit & veg, absolutely anything ...
A friend started as a sales assistant with Vodafone, worked his way up to manager and then onto b2b. Ended up as a ‘global account manager’ working out of Newbury. Very well compensated, but ruthless company to work for!
Like all sales, it can be great or very tough. Cream very easily rises to the top. I’d much prefer b2b if you can get a foot in the door though.
Like all sales, it can be great or very tough. Cream very easily rises to the top. I’d much prefer b2b if you can get a foot in the door though.
bristolbaron said:
A friend started as a sales assistant with Vodafone, worked his way up to manager and then onto b2b. Ended up as a ‘global account manager’ working out of Newbury. Very well compensated, but ruthless company to work for!
Like all sales, it can be great or very tough. Cream very easily rises to the top. I’d much prefer b2b if you can get a foot in the door though.
Thanks.Like all sales, it can be great or very tough. Cream very easily rises to the top. I’d much prefer b2b if you can get a foot in the door though.
I'm under no illusions that it will be easy. It may be the challenge I need though.
I currently do the min wage job and the only challenge there is the continued lack of staff and bad management.
funkyrobot said:
Prohibiting said:
Check to see if there are any Sky sales advisor roles near you for their retail stands.
Didn't even consider that. Will take a look. Thanks.I sold phones for years before going on to sell cars. It’s pretty easy, if it’s a network store then it’s quite easy, lots of customers will be existing and you just take care of the retention process.
I can’t imagine the pay is as good as it used to be, but not a lot is. I don’t see many people who stick at it super long term (more than a few years) before moving onto other things. It’s a great easy way to get into sales though IMO.
It was my first proper job when I was 18, it set me up pretty well for where I am now.
You have to remember you will be dealing with the public, they’re not all nice!
I can’t imagine the pay is as good as it used to be, but not a lot is. I don’t see many people who stick at it super long term (more than a few years) before moving onto other things. It’s a great easy way to get into sales though IMO.
It was my first proper job when I was 18, it set me up pretty well for where I am now.
You have to remember you will be dealing with the public, they’re not all nice!
With regard to your interview, I'd recommend you doing as much research about the company as you can. What their plan is, what their values are, what successful innovations/initiatives they've launched that impressed you. Also think about some questions to ask them... I'd maybe ask the recruiting manager (if they're the one interviewing you that is) what his first job was in sales and if he were to rewind the clock, would he take this job that you're being interviewed for?
p4cks said:
I'd maybe ask the recruiting manager (if they're the one interviewing you that is) what his first job was in sales and if he were to rewind the clock, would he take this job that you're being interviewed for?
I think that is a bit provocative for an entry level role. Maybe "what is it that attracted you to xyz company, oh mighty recruiter"? is a more open question.
A205GTI said:
HIM A TINGGGG!Re the job, I couldn't do it, it looks soul destroying. IF you can sell and more importantly sell yourself, then I would imagine there are far more lucrative places to be than selling to the public, which is typically a total pain in the arse, awful hours, shocking pay.
Prohibiting said:
Selling to "professionals" in a business isn't any better or easier. I've done both!
Well its better in that you don't have to work retail hours, and generally are not rewarded with retail salaries. AND you don't have to speak to the public AND the sort of people that still go into a shop to buy a phone are doing to be a very particular type. Awful to deal with no doubt.Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff