You're considering a career in sales. How do you decide between a sales internship and a sales job?

If you’re new to sales and want to gain basic experience and skills, a sales internship offers valuable learning and networking opportunities with lower risk. However, if you want a stable income and more responsibility, a full-time sales job provides hands-on experience and career growth potential. Consider your current experience, financial needs, and long-term career goals to make the best choice.

When choosing between a sales internship and an entry-level sales position, consider factors such as your career goals, level of experience, learning opportunities, compensation, networking potential, company reputation, and long-term growth prospects.

When deciding between a sales internship and a sales job, consider your career goals and current experience. A sales internship is ideal if you're new to the field and want to explore whether sales is the right fit for you. It provides hands-on experience, learning opportunities, and a chance to build foundational skills without the pressure of meeting high sales targets. On the other hand, if you're confident in your abilities and ready to take on more responsibility, a sales job might be the better choice. It offers a more direct path to career growth, higher earnings, and the opportunity to make a significant impact in a company.

Sales is a fundamental skill that transcends the specific product or sector. If you're starting out, don't worry too much about the pay or what you're selling. Instead, focus on finding a busy customer environment where you can learn from an experienced mentor. Absorb every piece of wisdom and practice relentlessly. Sales is about mastering people skills—your product is secondary. Through this process, you'll also discover and refine your unique selling style. Hone your craft through trial and error, and this skillset will serve you throughout your career.

Don’t worry about basic pay. Focus on finding a sales role with a strong commission or bonus structure—this will push you to excel without the comfort of a guaranteed salary. Seek out an experienced mentor within the team, especially someone who's been in sales for a long time and is nearing the end of their career. These individuals often remain in sales because their earnings outpace those of their superiors, making them less inclined to pursue higher management positions. They’ll be keen to pass on their hard-earned knowledge and help you refine your skills.

El compromiso laboral es un factor clave al decidir entre una pasantía de ventas y un trabajo de ventas. Si estás buscando una inmersión total en la carrera, un trabajo de ventas te ofrece una experiencia completa con responsabilidades y metas claras, además de una compensación más estable. En cambio, una pasantía proporciona una introducción menos comprometida, permitiéndote aprender sobre el campo sin el mismo nivel de presión o compromiso a largo plazo. Evalúa tu disposición para asumir un rol con mayores responsabilidades y si prefieres empezar con una inmersión más ligera. Considera también tus objetivos profesionales y qué opción alinea mejor con tus metas a largo plazo.

Find a mentor within your sales team, preferably someone with extensive experience who’s towards the end of their career. They’ll be eager to pass on the skills they’ve honed over the years, offering you invaluable advice that can make all the difference. Make it your mission to become an expert in your product. If you don’t know the answer to a customer’s question, don’t try to bluff your way through—just say, “That’s a great question, I’ll find out and get back to you.” Then, make sure you follow up quickly and thoroughly. This approach not only builds your knowledge but also earns the respect and trust of your customers.

Internships are like networking gold mines. You'll get tons of chances to rub elbows with industry pros, which can be a game-changer for your career. These connections might hook you up with insider tips, glowing recommendations, or even your next gig. On the flip side, a sales job throws you into the deep end. You'll still meet people, but it's more of a DIY approach. You've got to juggle relationship-building with hitting those sales targets. It's a juggling act for sure, but man, can it be rewarding. Both paths have their perks for networking. It really boils down to how you like to learn and grow. Either way, you'll be sharpening those people skills!

Una pasantía te permite construir una red de contactos valiosa en la industria con menor riesgo y compromiso, ideal para explorar y aprender sin una gran presión. Sin embargo, un trabajo de ventas ofrece oportunidades más amplias para establecer relaciones con clientes y colegas, además de generar ingresos y ganar experiencia práctica directa. Evalúa cómo cada opción puede contribuir a tu red profesional y a tus objetivos a largo plazo. Si prefieres una inmersión temprana y establecer conexiones significativas desde el principio, el trabajo de ventas podría ser más adecuado.

Una pasantía suele ofrecer horarios más flexibles y una menor carga de responsabilidades, lo que facilita el aprendizaje y la adaptación a la carrera sin compromisos a largo plazo. En cambio, un trabajo de ventas implica un mayor compromiso, con horarios más rígidos y objetivos específicos, pero también proporciona una experiencia más profunda y una mayor estabilidad financiera. Considera tu capacidad para asumir compromisos y tus necesidades personales en términos de flexibilidad. Si buscas una introducción más adaptable a la industria, la pasantía es ideal; si estás listo para un desafío más estructurado, el trabajo de ventas es la opción.

Sales shouldn't be a field that requires an internship to break into. Verizon will likely hire someone with no experience. Lenovo hires recent grads. And you can get a BDR (Business Development Representative) job with zero experience and no college degree. Read sales books. Listen to sales podcasts. Follow influencers on LinkedIn. And apply to jobs and mention those things you're doing.

La consideración financiera es esencial al decidir entre una pasantía de ventas y un trabajo de ventas. Las pasantías suelen ofrecer una compensación limitada o incluso ser no remuneradas, lo que puede no cubrir tus necesidades financieras si dependes de un ingreso estable. En contraste, un trabajo de ventas generalmente proporciona un salario base y potencialmente comisiones, lo que puede ofrecer una mayor estabilidad financiera. Evalúa tu situación económica y tus necesidades antes de tomar una decisión. Si puedes permitirte una pasantía y deseas explorar el campo con menos presión financiera, es una buena opción. Si necesitas un ingreso constante y estás listo para asumir responsabilidades plenas, un trabajo de ventas es más adecuado.

When deciding between a sales internship and a sales job, the financial side is key. A full-time sales job usually offers a base salary with bonuses, which is great if you need that immediate income. But be careful—many entry-level sales jobs are commission-only, and without prior experience, that can lead to a dead end if you struggle to make sales.