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Best sales jobs out there?

by socialentry
12 replies
Hey there,

After some soul searching and on the recommendation of Jason K., I decided to start looking for another job and most importantly drafting a long term plan.

My #1 goal is to learn more but right now,I also want to start saving cash so I can start building something of my own.

So what high ticket items could I sell?

But on top of my head:
Timeshares
Funerals
Cars
?

I know that business directories telemarketers do very well selling to Americans, but they have the reputation of being shady.

My qs:

1-What would your recommend and why?
2-So far, I've only done various lead gen and telemarketing position, I think my long term goals lay in telemarketing, but should I take a face to face sales position, if only to have a physical frame of reference?
If so, how much allowance for murphy's law (e.g. no money) should I make for learning the job (if it's a commissioned job)?


I would prefer ideally to get a phone job but the only thing is that usually the kind of places that would sell these had a long sales funnel where one would go from lead gen to collections to retention, then closer and so on and so forth. Which means making minimum wage + commission for a while.


thanks,
#jobs #sales
  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    None of those.

    Too commercial, too undifferentiated. Too B2C.

    Think CUSTOM. B2B.

    Custom business software. Custom metal fabrication (gates & railings). Custom home stereo setup. Custom equipment manufacturing.

    Big ticket. Requires technical expertise. Not just anyone can do this stuff. And overall it is MUCH easier to get $20,000 or $60,000 out of a business than a private individual.

    Think down these lines.

    No reason why you shouldn't get a salary + commission arrangement. I suspect you are undervaluing yourself--most people, as you have noticed, are totally unwilling to make dials. That makes you special.

    Resume layout and additional online info to support your 'case' are important. I can give you some pointers for that.
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    • Profile picture of the author shockwave
      Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

      None of those.

      Too commercial, too undifferentiated. Too B2C.

      Think CUSTOM. B2B.

      Custom business software. Custom metal fabrication (gates & railings). Custom home stereo setup. Custom equipment manufacturing.

      Big ticket. Requires technical expertise. Not just anyone can do this stuff. And overall it is MUCH easier to get $20,000 or $60,000 out of a business than a private individual.

      Think down these lines.

      No reason why you shouldn't get a salary + commission arrangement. I suspect you are undervaluing yourself--most people, as you have noticed, are totally unwilling to make dials. That makes you special.

      Resume layout and additional online info to support your 'case' are important. I can give you some pointers for that.

      EDIT: You may be worried you need technical knowledge to be able to do this. No. I have gone into fields many times where I knew next to nothing on the technical side. I found a propeller head to partner up with and in 3 months knew 90%+ of the answers I needed to know...and was then fully independent. There's also "The Curse of Knowledge", where the techies think everyone knows what they know...but the prospects do not. So someone fresh coming in without that curse can talk to the prospects in regular language, and develop rapport and uncover business issues much more readily.
      I agree with Jason, software is good. My regular 9-5 is selling ERP and CRM software as well as Managed IT Services. We're talking in the range of $40k-$50k for software or cloud applications + another $40k-$50 of services on top of that. So at the end of the day, you'll be pushing $80k-$100k deals. And that's just for SMBs. The number goes way higher for Enterprise level stuff.

      For the sales side of things, you don't need a crazy amount of deep knowledge on the functionality with each software, that's what sales engineers and network engineers are for. Most of the time, you'll have project managers handling the implementation of these. As long as you're comfortable speaking to CEOs, CFOs, CIOs ...etc, you'll be good.

      All you really need to be able to do is understand the pain points in your potential customer's business is (B2B). From there, it's just a matter of getting enough budget qualified people into your sales pipeline.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
        Originally Posted by shockwave View Post

        I agree with Jason, software is good. My regular 9-5 is selling ERP and CRM software as well as Managed IT Services. We're talking in the range of $40k-$50k for software or cloud applications + another $40k-$50 of services on top of that. So at the end of the day, you'll be pushing $80k-$100k deals. And that's just for SMBs. The number goes way higher for Enterprise level stuff.

        For the sales side of things, you don't need a crazy amount of deep knowledge on the functionality with each software, that's what sales engineers and network engineers are for. Most of the time, you'll have project managers handling the implementation of these. As long as you're comfortable speaking to CEOs, CFOs, CIOs ...etc, you'll be good.

        All you really need to be able to do is understand the pain points in your potential customer's business is (B2B). From there, it's just a matter of getting enough budget qualified people into your sales pipeline.
        I did this in Vancouver before moving to the States.

        Shockwave is right on here.

        You may be worried you need technical knowledge to be able to do this. No. I have gone into fields many times where I knew next to nothing on the technical side. I found a propeller head to partner up with and in 3 months knew 90%+ of the answers I needed to know...and was then fully independent. There's also "The Curse of Knowledge", where the techies think everyone knows what they know...but the prospects do not. So someone fresh coming in without that curse can talk to the prospects in regular language, and develop rapport and uncover business issues much more readily.
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      • Profile picture of the author amcg
        All you really need to be able to do is understand the pain points in your potential customer's business is (B2B). From there, it's just a matter of getting enough budget qualified people into your sales pipeline.
        This is sales right. Forget product knowledge, solve problems, close deals and you will make money.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Stewart
      Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

      None of those.

      Too commercial, too undifferentiated. Too B2C.

      Think CUSTOM. B2B.

      Custom business software. Custom metal fabrication (gates & railings). Custom home stereo setup. Custom equipment manufacturing.

      Big ticket. Requires technical expertise. Not just anyone can do this stuff. And overall it is MUCH easier to get $20,000 or $60,000 out of a business than a private individual.

      Think down these lines.

      No reason why you shouldn't get a salary + commission arrangement. I suspect you are undervaluing yourself--most people, as you have noticed, are totally unwilling to make dials. That makes you special.

      Resume layout and additional online info to support your 'case' are important. I can give you some pointers for that.

      EDIT: You may be worried you need technical knowledge to be able to do this. No. I have gone into fields many times where I knew next to nothing on the technical side. I found a propeller head to partner up with and in 3 months knew 90%+ of the answers I needed to know...and was then fully independent. There's also "The Curse of Knowledge", where the techies think everyone knows what they know...but the prospects do not. So someone fresh coming in without that curse can talk to the prospects in regular language, and develop rapport and uncover business issues much more readily.

      I'm curious about this. What kind of profit margins/commission could someone expect to earn from this type of sales? Also, is there potential for repeat business? If so, would the sales rep receive commission on the backend as well or is it one and done scenario? Who's responsible for support? I'd assume that once the sale was made technical support would take over, right?

      I've been dealing B2B for the better part of a couple decades now, but have avoided most higher ticket items for the reasons mentioned above. I don't want to have to support something that I've already sold. The things I carry don't require it.

      Also, in my industry there are multiple different brands used and I can't imagine trying to support them all. Most dealers that carry them have support teams that they'll fly out on location and train customers how to use this stuff.

      I do mostly repeat business, but I focus on volume orders of smaller ticket items. It's a lot less headache, but I'm definitely interested in learning more about what's out there.
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      • Profile picture of the author jimbo13
        Why don't you just sell something that interests you?

        If you like fishing you will think working in a fishing equipment shop is the Bees Knees.

        Or you can sell fishing equipment online.

        Or you can contact fishing equipment manufacturers and sell their stuff into fishing shops.

        Or you can sell £50,000 per person fishing trips to London Finance Bods

        There are many variables.

        You will make different amounts at each level but you will find the one that suits you financially and mentally.

        That is the best sales job.

        High end, low end, B2B or B2C is not relevant. You will find wealthy and poor and everything in between in all.

        Look for the field of genuine interest first, not the money aspect you maybe are focusing on.

        Dan
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      • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
        Originally Posted by Joe Stewart View Post

        I'm curious about this. What kind of profit margins/commission could someone expect to earn from this type of sales? Also, is there potential for repeat business? If so, would the sales rep receive commission on the backend as well or is it one and done scenario? Who's responsible for support? I'd assume that once the sale was made technical support would take over, right?

        I've been dealing B2B for the better part of a couple decades now, but have avoided most higher ticket items for the reasons mentioned above. I don't want to have to support something that I've already sold. The things I carry don't require it.

        Also, in my industry there are multiple different brands used and I can't imagine trying to support them all. Most dealers that carry them have support teams that they'll fly out on location and train customers how to use this stuff.

        I do mostly repeat business, but I focus on volume orders of smaller ticket items. It's a lot less headache, but I'm definitely interested in learning more about what's out there.
        In the software space you must pick prospects who have a problem big enough for a $20K+ solution. It's not difficult to get to a $50K or 60K solution. Most people have never encountered this level of business. Remember the IT firm I worked for needed to bill $60K a month so these projects plus some managed services supported that level of expenditure.

        When the price tag is $20K+, it's easy to get the commission you want from the project, isn't it?

        Organizations that have these kinds of problems are:
        • colleges and universities
        • governments and government programs
        • shipping and distribution
        • manufacturing
        • where you have confidential records that need customized sorting
        • EDI (a form of electronic payments that is very touchy)
        • where you have different systems for inventory, accounting and CRM/sales that need to talk to one another.

        And there are more. Microsoft CRM alone used to cost $12,000 and it was pretty vanilla and difficult to use! kenmichals knows all about this stuff.

        As soon as the project is handed off to the developer, it's not entirely off your plate, but the weight is on the developer's side. And after completion, well, the client always wants tweaks and this or that custom update...which is more money.

        Technical support is the tech department's issue, though since you touched the project you are ultimately responsible for it.

        What jimbo/Dan says is also correct: finding something you enjoy talking about all day is the beginning of success in selling. And you will discover a full range of solutions for fans of that topic...hip waders and rods, or guided trips into fly fishing back country.
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  • Profile picture of the author AlexTee
    Originally Posted by socialentry View Post

    Hey there,

    After some soul searching and on the recommendation of Jason K., I decided to start looking for another job and most importantly drafting a long term plan.

    My #1 goal is to learn more but right now,I also want to start saving cash so I can start building something of my own.

    So what high ticket items could I sell?

    But on top of my head:
    Timeshares
    Funerals
    Cars
    ?

    I know that business directories telemarketers do very well selling to Americans, but they have the reputation of being shady.

    My qs:

    1-What would your recommend and why?
    2-So far, I've only done various lead gen and telemarketing position, I think my long term goals lay in telemarketing, but should I take a face to face sales position, if only to have a physical frame of reference?
    If so, how much allowance for murphy's law (e.g. no money) should I make for learning the job (if it's a commissioned job)?


    I would prefer ideally to get a phone job but the only thing is that usually the kind of places that would sell these had a long sales funnel where one would go from lead gen to collections to retention, then closer and so on and so forth. Which means making minimum wage + commission for a while.


    thanks,
    Start with something you would enjoy selling. If you come up with nothing then I would consider the technology space.

    Go to monster and put in some keywords and see what comes up.

    I would look for jobs with big companies so you can get corporate training. That training and experience will help you with your long terms goals.

    Do not not marginalize your "not afraid to dial" skill set. Put it in the fore front of everything you do and say on applications, cover letters and in interviews.

    Don't be afraid to TELL THEM (interviewers) you want to change jobs so you can make more money with your skill set.

    So many sales reps are afraid to pick up the phone and dial!

    You will better position yourself for a salary + commission comp plan because they will recognize that you know your worth.....that = confidence!
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  • Profile picture of the author Rearden
    Social:

    You have enough experience to get an entry-level B2B job.

    You need to build your resume for a few years before recruiters will take you seriously for the higher-level, more lucrative B2B sales positions (software sales, medical device sales, etc.).

    The BEST resume-building entry-level B2B positions are hard-core prospecting jobs, chiefly:

    -Commercial Printer sales
    -Uniform sales
    -Advertising sales

    When you have 2 years of above-average, measurable success, of calling on small, medium, and large businesses, pretty much any recruiter will fall head over heels for you.

    What's good is that like mentioned above, every Sales Manager in all those industries need account executives that will make the calls and run the appointments. Sounds like you can do it (and prove it, too).

    All the above positions have starting salaries of $35k-$50k, and commission opportunities in the six-figure range if you work your A$$ off.

    Good luck!
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    • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
      Originally Posted by Rearden View Post

      Social:

      You have enough experience to get an entry-level B2B job.

      You need to build your resume for a few years before recruiters will take you seriously for the higher-level, more lucrative B2B sales positions (software sales, medical device sales, etc.).

      The BEST resume-building entry-level B2B positions are hard-core prospecting jobs, chiefly:

      -Commercial Printer sales
      -Uniform sales
      -Advertising sales

      When you have 2 years of above-average, measurable success, of calling on small, medium, and large businesses, pretty much any recruiter will fall head over heels for you.

      What's good is that like mentioned above, every Sales Manager in all those industries need account executives that will make the calls and run the appointments. Sounds like you can do it (and prove it, too).

      All the above positions have starting salaries of $35k-$50k, and commission opportunities in the six-figure range if you work your A$$ off.

      Good luck!
      Heh, if he gets focused on a target and does what I recommend, he won't have to deal with recruiters. Ever.

      There are tons of business owners and managers hoping like hell someone with skill will come along. You simply have to get in front of them.
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    Something else to consider is working for a company that has legendary sales training.
    Build your resume and your confidence and skills.

    Frankly, I'm not in touch with that world as I used to be, but in the USA, I'm
    thinking about companies like IBM and XEROX. I'm not sure where you live,
    but maybe now it's Apple - even the stores, or software companies.

    Back to Jimbo's example. Suppose you master a field like fishing, you could keep getting
    into all things fishing and fishing travel related. Start your own fishing lodge/retreat. A vacation
    rental in the Turks and Caicos islands...

    I'm sure you can extrapolate this kind of thinking into the field your are interested in. In my
    own case, I'm heading towards my own hotels and health/corporate retreats.

    Dan
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  • Profile picture of the author misterme
    Originally Posted by socialentry View Post

    So what high ticket items could I sell?

    But on top of my head:
    Timeshares
    Funerals
    Cars
    ?
    Maybe that's not the way to think about it?

    Because it's like saying "I need a suit. What kind of suit should it be?" And the answers come in as "It should be a black suit." "A wool suit." "A two piece suit."

    Come to find out you'd actually excel in something where you don't wear a suit at all.

    Because you're focusing on the "what" but not the "why."

    So ask yourself, what is it that you know? What things are you really good at? When you look at everything you've done so far, what are some of the common denominators that run through everything?

    Then what do the answers to those questions suggest the next logical step (or steps) would be, even if that logical step doesn't make any sense to you right now?
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