Discussion
I want to go back to Sales work, but not sure what to look for in the current climate. Should I be looking at ads which are placed by companies or should I go through an agency? Should I focus on the larger organisations or go for SME's? Having last looked for a job about 7 years ago and in healther times, I'm not quite sure where to turn.
I'd be looking around the York-Newcastle region. I'm giving up a very secure £30k a year job which I dont think I fit the mould for. B2B field sales is probably what I'd be looking for...
I'd be looking around the York-Newcastle region. I'm giving up a very secure £30k a year job which I dont think I fit the mould for. B2B field sales is probably what I'd be looking for...
Rob,
Having just spent nearly 4 months out of work whilst looking for a Senior IT Sales role, my advice would be to stay put for a little while longer.
With more candidates than roles currently, most jobs are inundated with CV's. This means that recruiters are being absolutely ruthless in culling any cv's that do not exactly match the profile being sought. This may be simply in my industry, you don't say what specialism you have any experience in.
Having been out of Sales for a significant time, it's a risk many employers are not willing to take, especially when there are far more qualified people available.
So, unless you have a very specific knowledge of a particular subject area and can catch a good break, I do feel it maybe time to grit your teeth and sit it out until things pick up a bit.
Having said that, there is no harm in putting your CV together and calling some recruiters for a chat. They are always looking for candidates that will stand out from the humdrum. So ensure your CV captures ALL of your experience (technical and sales) and you can back that up with solid examples.
Just my two penneth. Hope it helps a bit.
Having just spent nearly 4 months out of work whilst looking for a Senior IT Sales role, my advice would be to stay put for a little while longer.
With more candidates than roles currently, most jobs are inundated with CV's. This means that recruiters are being absolutely ruthless in culling any cv's that do not exactly match the profile being sought. This may be simply in my industry, you don't say what specialism you have any experience in.
Having been out of Sales for a significant time, it's a risk many employers are not willing to take, especially when there are far more qualified people available.
So, unless you have a very specific knowledge of a particular subject area and can catch a good break, I do feel it maybe time to grit your teeth and sit it out until things pick up a bit.
Having said that, there is no harm in putting your CV together and calling some recruiters for a chat. They are always looking for candidates that will stand out from the humdrum. So ensure your CV captures ALL of your experience (technical and sales) and you can back that up with solid examples.
Just my two penneth. Hope it helps a bit.
VX Foxy said:
What's the 'sales industry'?
Would Mr Pedant prefer 'sales sector'?I appreciate that we are in a very awkward time to be job shifting and I certainly wouldnt quit prior to securing a new position. I've never worked on commission previously as my old sales role was salaried (it was in the heavy oils industry). Could those who do, give some idea on how to indicate an income from a job ad i.e Basic £18k + OTE of £35k. Do you assume that you'll earn just £18k with everything on top of that a bonus or do you realistically account for OTE providing a figure somewhere between basic and OTE?
I would be willing to take a pay cut from the £30k I am currently on to change direction which I guess displays my desire to move. I would however, like to be moving into somewhere where there are prospects to earn more in the future. I know this is probably every persons requirement when looking for a job but I dont want to find myself going backwards instead of forwards in the long term.
Rob13 said:
VX Foxy said:
What's the 'sales industry'?
Would Mr Pedant prefer 'sales sector'?Do you want to be a cashier in Tesco or negotiate multi-million£ IT contracts? Double glazing or mortgages? B2B or consumer?
It's a bit like saying you want to work in the NHS...
What do you want to do?
VX Foxy said:
Rob13 said:
VX Foxy said:
What's the 'sales industry'?
Would Mr Pedant prefer 'sales sector'?Do you want to be a cashier in Tesco or negotiate multi-million£ IT contracts? Double glazing or mortgages? B2B or consumer?
It's a bit like saying you want to work in the NHS...
What do you want to do?
As a headhunter for field sales roles, I would suggest contacting companies directly in your situation - regardless of whether or not they're advertising a vacancy.
There's not much point in you going through a recruiter in your current situation, we get paid not insignificant amounts of money to find the best people out there. They're not going to pay that fee for someone without relevant experience and a proven track record, but they'll be very likely to give you the time of day if you cold call them.
This is especially true at the moment - there are a lot of good candidates out of work, which makes it a lot harder for companies to justify using a recruiter - the knock on effect of that being that we can't so readily suggest they take a punt on someone of a calibre they could easily find themselves.
A couple years down the line, by all means use a recruiter. Hope this helps.
There's not much point in you going through a recruiter in your current situation, we get paid not insignificant amounts of money to find the best people out there. They're not going to pay that fee for someone without relevant experience and a proven track record, but they'll be very likely to give you the time of day if you cold call them.
This is especially true at the moment - there are a lot of good candidates out of work, which makes it a lot harder for companies to justify using a recruiter - the knock on effect of that being that we can't so readily suggest they take a punt on someone of a calibre they could easily find themselves.
A couple years down the line, by all means use a recruiter. Hope this helps.
Edited by repiV on Thursday 26th November 21:56
Have you looked at the food/fmcg area? Have a look on www.thegrocer.co.uk. (be warned though, EVERYONE job hunting looks on there!)
It's tough out there at the moment and expressed previously, recruiters are looking for people with experience. Ill list some companies below that may be worth looking on their web-site;
Britvic (recruiting at the moment)
Unilever
Mars drinks
Nestle
DBC foodservicie (big drive at the moment in the North East)
Brakes
3663
Woodwards
Hopwells
M and J seafood (part of Brakes).
Sometimes lack of experience can be an advantage as you will arrive with no pre-conceptions of how things should be done, works in the opposite also though.
Hope thats been a little help?
BMT.
It's tough out there at the moment and expressed previously, recruiters are looking for people with experience. Ill list some companies below that may be worth looking on their web-site;
Britvic (recruiting at the moment)
Unilever
Mars drinks
Nestle
DBC foodservicie (big drive at the moment in the North East)
Brakes
3663
Woodwards
Hopwells
M and J seafood (part of Brakes).
Sometimes lack of experience can be an advantage as you will arrive with no pre-conceptions of how things should be done, works in the opposite also though.
Hope thats been a little help?
BMT.
Thats just the kind of advice I was looking for thank you. Im a serving police officer at present but I dont think I have a long term career here. I am relieved that ive realised it while I still have the option elsewhere but I just want to make sure that the next move is the right one for the long term
Well, if you want to have a sales career and earn more than a bare minimum, can I suggest you take alook at something like Sales Target and see how the adverts are worded and how you can tailor your experience in dealing with people, situations etc from your time in the force and try and match it up.
Try and aim for roles that are paying a basic and ote.
Hope it helps.
Try and aim for roles that are paying a basic and ote.
Hope it helps.
Edited by Cheeky Jim on Saturday 28th November 11:59
Edited by Cheeky Jim on Saturday 28th November 12:00
Rob13 said:
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I appreciate that we are in a very awkward time to be job shifting and I certainly wouldnt quit prior to securing a new position. I've never worked on commission previously as my old sales role was salaried (it was in the heavy oils industry). Could those who do, give some idea on how to indicate an income from a job ad i.e Basic £18k + OTE of £35k. Do you assume that you'll earn just £18k with everything on top of that a bonus or do you realistically account for OTE providing a figure somewhere between basic and OTE?
Not a salesman myself, but do work closely with lots of them. In our company, the field sales teams (usually 6-10 members to a team) all have different individual sales targets to meet, but it all goes into one pot for a team target for their commission.I appreciate that we are in a very awkward time to be job shifting and I certainly wouldnt quit prior to securing a new position. I've never worked on commission previously as my old sales role was salaried (it was in the heavy oils industry). Could those who do, give some idea on how to indicate an income from a job ad i.e Basic £18k + OTE of £35k. Do you assume that you'll earn just £18k with everything on top of that a bonus or do you realistically account for OTE providing a figure somewhere between basic and OTE?
I think basic is close to £21k, OTE is around £38k and it rises sharply for anything above target (I think upto around £50k for 125%). It is expected that the teams all hit target, but that has not been the case since the start of the recession. Before that started some were up, some were down and the company on average was somewhere close to 100%.
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