How do I get into sales?
Posted by 4nn4s3@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 31 comments
I’m 23m and feeling like I’ve already failed at life. From the ages of 17-22 I was a complete and utter idiot and wasted a lot of time (I only realise this now). I started doing crypto at the age of 16 and managed to make a sizeable amount of money, I will admit it was purely luck. Then as a 17 year old with high 5 figures I started going crazy spending money like water, I dropped out of sixth form (against my mothers wishes) and thought I was invincible. The money kept on coming in from crypto however this time I was acting working for crypto startups basically raising money for them and finding investors which I did have success with. I thought it would never end, my spending habits were out of control and I was living a life of luxury travelling around the world. During this time I didn’t develop any skills that would translate into a real world job. To cut a long story short the past year I have almost lost everything, I currently have around £8000 left and the last few months have been working a minimum wage job in f&b to support myself and my mrs(shes studying and having difficulty finding a job). I have been looking into sales as I think it would suit me well and I’d enjoy it. I have applied to jobs however my CV is sparse and I don’t have any official corporate sales experience. If someone can point me in the right direction or give me some tips I’d highly appreciate it, hopefully I’m not doomed.
budgrummur@reddit
All my friends in b2b sales are scared shitless that AI are taking over their jobs. Basically predicting that buyer chatbots will identify the right seller chatbots she draft deals. So it might be hard and/or precarious to break into that industry.
4nn4s3@reddit (OP)
I also hear stuff like this a lot. I’m pretty up to date with all the latest AI developments and as of now I don’t think there is any AI tool that can replicate a real salesman and give that human touch. I hope not anyway otherwise a lot of ppl r fucked
budgrummur@reddit
The final deal is signed off by humans, but most of the leg work is automated. Effectively cold calling is getting eliminated (and rightfully so) and the "human touch" is managed by experienced sellers. I'm seeing similar trends in my field too, the human touch stays but only managed by experienced people.
mokoe101@reddit
Okay, so I’ve worked in corporate sales for a number of years and can give you some insight.
A) Crypto Dubai fast money guys are a dime a dozen. No one respects them in sales, these people go to recruitment which is short term more money but long term less money and incredibly soulless. If you want to seriously make it then you need to just drop that entire perspective.
B) Sales is about learning your product. You have to know what it does, how it works, who needs it. If you can’t memorise things like that then sales isn’t for you.
C) Sales is a ladder. Apply for any sales job, even the shitty MLM ones if necessary. It’s about proving you have the skills and mindset for it. You do the shitty MLM job for a year, then you apply for a real job with a real firm.
D) and I cannot stress this enough. WE HIRE BASED ON PERSONALITY. As I’ve said above, a track record is helpful but I got into sales with zero experience because I can confidently talk to people. You need to be confident but not cocky. Talkative but not too chatty. If I interview you and you win me over then I know you can win over a client and earn us money. Hone your personality. Everyone thinks walking in with a Rolex and an attitude problem is going to get you the job. It will not. I would not hire you. You need to seem genuinely legitimate when you’re out meeting people.
Also, I work in London, easy to see my clients. If you don’t work in London then you’re going to need to be able to drive to even be considered.
Feel free to DM me with any questions
4nn4s3@reddit (OP)
Thank you for taking the time to write this. I complete agree with point A, all the fast money Instagram stuff is BS. This advice is great especially coming from someone who actually does this, I will take you up on your offer and DM you if I need any advice. All the best
mokoe101@reddit
Not a problem at all. I mean it as well, any questions just ask. It can be a tough industry to crack into but it’s well worth it
blow_on_my_trombone@reddit
I just wanted to say you haven't failed at life. You've travelled the world, you've got a Mrs, and you've got more savings than a lot of people your age. You're the same age a lot of people finish uni, when they most likely don't have any savings, and potentially an overdraft. What you need is some qualifications though. Either A levels/ degree, or an apprenticeship, or a degree apprenticeship, lots of options that will open a lot more doors for you.
Sad_Pie_3862@reddit
Advice about building a network is spot on, also figure out what you want to sell and learn everything about that industry that you can. Networking is a numbers game, and sooner or later you will meet someone who wants to give you a chance. Learn how to use LinkedIn, and consider taking some recognised public speaking training (that you reference on your cv). It will be a test of your tenacity, and hanging in until you get hired is just the beginning, selling is all about talking to as many people as you can, and there is no guarantee that if the 99th call doesn't result in a sale then the 100th one will. In spite of what you may hear though, selling is an honourable profession, and nothing ever really happens in the world unless someone is being commissioned to make it happen. Good luck.
Due-Presentation4344@reddit
It sounds like can sell, which probably means you can network. You’d be surprised how far in life this can get you.
At this moment in time it seems you just need to get in front of the right person.
scuderia91@reddit
What part of that post sounds like OP can sell?
CharlemagneKidding@reddit
He can sell at a loss
CiderChugger@reddit
A job, £8000 and a mrs. What's the problem here?
4nn4s3@reddit (OP)
I feel stagnant and don’t feel like I’m growing in any way. I am grateful for having a job as I know there’s a lot of unemployed people who would snatch it in a second, but it just isn’t for me.
Nomis1982@reddit
What do you do in F&B? Does it interest you?
4nn4s3@reddit (OP)
Front of house staff serving food and drinks to customers. There’s nothing to really be interested about, it’s pretty mundane and this is not what I want to be doing with the rest of my life. I would like a career where I can grow.
Jpmoz999@reddit
That is a career in which you can grow. You’re meeting people, if you’re not interested in them you’re not going to be a very good salesperson.
People buy from people. Talk, listen even more.
4nn4s3@reddit (OP)
I do talk to customers and that’s one of the things I enjoy about the job, meeting all different kinds of people. However it’s always small talk and as you can imagine people want to eat their food and for me to leave them alone 🤣
Jpmoz999@reddit
Hospitality is a job that you can you can take all over the world. Just try and get experience in other aspects of the businesses you’re in.
Nomis1982@reddit
Yep. That's where I was going with this.
Nomis1982@reddit
Do you enjoy any aspects of it? The wine side, for example? If you're in the sort of place that serves alcohol that is. I work in the wine industry selling to private customers and restaurants. Quite a fun industry to be in.
Dead_Bones001@reddit
Why can't you still do crypto?
4nn4s3@reddit (OP)
Market is dead as a dodo, and got absolutely bummed with the recent down trend. TBH I want to move away from it, it’s not a real skill
Dead_Bones001@reddit
OK, I know nothing about crypto but there must be some transferable skills you have developed from doing it? Raising money and finding investors, that must involve talking to people and selling the investment as a win, networking with people?
4nn4s3@reddit (OP)
Yes that’s exactly what I did, cold outreach and then convincing people to invest. It was anywhere from $1000-$10,000+ and I’d receive 10% commissions on that. This is all on my CV but whenever people hear the word crypto they run 100 miles in the other direction which is understandable
Mrmagicdan@reddit
Keep going. I remember years ago I wanted to be an estate agent. (seemed like a good idea at the time! 🤷🏼♂️). As I’d had no experience no one would take me on. Until I just managed to get into a really small little local firm. Stuck with them for a year and then moved up to a bigger firm and ended up having a choice of who to go with. So stick with it, keep firing off your CV and keep popping into any sales place you can. You’ll find one that’ll take you on and then progress from there. And most importantly, keep your head up and be positive.
HarB_Games@reddit
Phone shops seem to be constantly hiring near me, I suppose that's an easy way in. It would give you proof of responsibility with high end goods and high cost transactions. As well as up selling (things like accessories, plugs, cases, insurance etc). They also often sell things like broadband and TV so you get a fair bit of knowledge for a few different aspects.
I did it for a bit, I personally hated it. Selling phone chargers for £25 we bought for £2 a pop to old folk who didn't know better always felt awful.
Fit-Bedroom-7645@reddit
A word of warning, the vast majority of sales jobs you apply for will turn out to be MLM door to door sales jobs, regardless of what the advert says. They'll also probably be predatory 'self employed' roles (they aren't, they just use that excuse so they don't have to pay you). Proceed with caution.
4nn4s3@reddit (OP)
Yes I am aware of this, I will be sure to avoid those. Cheers for the headsup
Exact-Character313@reddit
Relax dude. You're still young, you've got plenty of time to decide what direction you want to take your life. Most of us were a bit dumb and just enjoyed life doing idiotic things untill early 20s. I didn't grow up properly until my mid 30s.
Take a breath, make some decisions, then go out and get it
CaptainSpazclart@reddit
Just hand over your soul and the jobs will come to you
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