Are you in Sales?
 

If so, whats it like as a career? I was an account manager for 9 months and quite fancy going back into it, however im on a pretty good wage at the moment and all i see OTEs with low basic salaries. Im looking towards external/field sales however wondered if anyone has their own opinions/experiences which they could share....

I was... Though at a fairly low level, as part of a larger role. Hated it, won't do it again :) Well, not cold selling anyway.

It's hard, tough, stressful, and OT earnings are very rare. It depends on your psychological make-up really, if you can take the knocks, aren't worried about picking up the phone and knocking on someone's door (when they don't know who you are — and don't care), then it's possibly for you. If not, then leave it, stay with a salary.

The good news is, if you can find the right product/service to sell (and there are plenty of good ones out there, you just have to seek them out) then big money can definitely be made. It certainly isn't for everyone though.

A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to go back into sales, all leads supplied, easy sell, and a genuine £200k per annum commission (truly). I turned it down. Why? well I suppose I wanted to earn that kind of money being self-employed doing what I'm doing. Am I? Jesus no, things are right tough at the moment. Was it the right decision? who knows... at least no-one controls me. At the end of the day, it's a question of fulfilment.

Think carefully ;).


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Is it bollox! Show me the money!

jonboy, I really thought you were going to say you turned the £200k offer down as you weren't prepared to take a paycut! So what was the job selling and what do you do know?

A couple of my friends are in sales - ones and IFA and sort of likes it but lickily he's divisional head so he's more comfortable with knowing he'll only be made redudant every few years instead of the salesman the come and go all the time. My other mate is in FX sales - Porsche 911, MV Agusta, £1M home (2 year mortgage) and 5 holidays a year first class and paid for by his accumulation of air miles - but is he happy?? Yes, he damn well is!!!

What sort of sales are you thinking of Rob?

I work in sales in the transport industry and have done for the past 6 years and still love my job. The company I work for is excellent (good salary, great car scheme, personal benefits etc) which always helps.

Like all jobs, there are some good days and some truly awful days but that's part of what I like about it. Travelling can be a bind when you're not in the mood (I can drive anything up to 50k miles each year) but then I've seen some lovely places I never would have had I not been in this job.

Like jonboy said, if you're the type of person who takes the rejection of not getting an appointment or having the door slammed in your face on a regular basis to heart then it really isn't for you; horses for courses.

Of course the main bonus is you get to seek out some awsome roads for the times when you're on two wheel instead of in four!

Like I said i worked as an account manager for a while before selling a product to a portfolio of customers. I had to attempt to gain new business on occasion but mainly retaining customer base in a strong competitive market. I fancy going back into account management but working externally rather than working as an internal sales team. The job i do now couldnt be further from sales however im used to dealing with awkward people. Ive been thinking about changing for a few months now but not sure whether im getting the grass is greener feeling.

GLSUK - where in the transport industry do you work?

Balky what is FX sales??

I work on the Heavy Goods Vehicle side of the transport industry for a German manufacturing company and we cover the whole of the UK, Ireland (North & South) and also Scandinavia. It's certainly not a glamourous industry but it pays the bills.

Moving from an officed based role like the one you're in now, to a field based role can take some adjusting to but once you're into a good routine you can't beat it. Obviously the first choice is a bike, but when it's summertime (or even winter for that matter), I'd rather be out and about in the car instead of stuck behind a desk for 9 hours a day (I was officed based for 10 years before moving to the great outdoors).

It's not for everyone though and amongst other things, the product you are selling/the industry you are in can make a massive difference to whether you enjoy the job or hate every second.


Just my £0.02.

Sorry, Foreign Exchange sales. He works for a investment bank and has to get companies to trade with his traders/brokers. Its one of those jobs where you have to be everyones best mate and go out loads in the evening/lunchtime but be at the desk by 7am. Fab perks and pay but I couldn't do it

there isnt much i wouldnt do for 200k PA :)