3 Reasons Why Sales Should Be Your First Job

“I’m an introvert, I wouldn't make it in sales”, “I’m an artist, not a sales person”, “I hate sales people”, or “I hate manipulation”. These are common replies to the question, “why don’t you work in sales?”

The industry of sales has a bad reputation. People automatically think ‘Boiler Room’ or worn out sales techniques. But the fact is every single person sells everyday, even you.

It starts when you were a baby, continues throughout your teenage years all the way to, yes, right this second. I am selling you my idea and if you agree with it, I made a sale.

A sale is just the outcome of explaining the benefits of a decision.

A sale is made on every decision, either you sell yours or you buy someone else’s. The earlier you understand this concept and learn what goes into a sale, the earlier you will be the one selling your ideas instead of buying others.

I propose that everyone’s first job should be in sales. Not just any sales, but a high-pressure, no luxury, barebones, cutthroat sales job. Because if you survive in this environment, it means you understand influence. And if you thrive, it means your influence has no limit.

1. A sale is a science and can be learnt and therefore mastered

Understanding influence, persuasion, why people buy, and how people make decisions, will allow you to adjust your mind state, your spoken word, your body language, even what your wear and the image you want to project in order to close a sale or persuade others.

2. The skills you learn along the way are instrumental to your character

The path to becoming a skilled sales person is not an easy road. You can’t just study it in school. You have to live it, and fail, several, several times. Those skills you learn along the way are just as powerful as the end result.

You learn negotiation, persistence, self-discipline, rejection, creativity, hunger, listening, confidence and focus. You learn to question and to think differently. You learn empathy, modesty, ability to adapt and the power of positivity.

Each one of these skills is powerful in itself, but the ability to balance all of them while making the prospect feel comfortable, trust you, have faith in you in order to make a commitment is unstoppable.

3. The ability to influence is needed and wanted across every industry

There is not one profession in the world that would not benefit from improving their sales skills. Whether you are a mother influencing her child, influencing your boss to accept your idea, getting a boy at school to like you, hiring someone, or being hired. All of these situations would benefit massively if you understood more about how people make decisions and why people buy.

If this sounds intimidating, the more important it is for you to learn. The skills you gain will serve you for the rest of your business and personal life. Happy Selling :)

Please sell responsibly.