Sales Jobs Search Tips

For sales jobs, you need to have strong networking skills and positive referrals. Because this will also determine the success of your job search (as well as how successful a salesperson you become), let's spend some time going over the finer points of networking.

Don't be afraid of meeting new people. Meeting strangers can be stressful and uncomfortable. There's always the potential for awkwardness in the conversation, or for unknowingly saying something offensive. Meeting new people is the key to building a referral list for your sales jobs and career growth.

Get over your acceptance issues. Everybody wants to be liked and accepted by those around them. But fear of being rejected can completely block your networking technique. When you refrain from clinching the deal for fear of failure, you come across as friendly and nice but ineffective. People will like you, but they won't become solid networking contacts. Don't let your acceptance issues keep you from networking for business purposes.

Learn when to push and when to back off. In sales jobs, you want to convince people that they really do need your product. Your job search is essentially the same concept - but this time you are the product. Present yourself clearly and thoughtfully - and push a little when a potential employer can't quite seem to decide. Still, know when to stop, because being too pushy will turn away both clients and employers.

Make your intentions clear. Nothing is more discouraging than meeting a new friend, only to find they "befriended" you to sell something. If you are looking for new clients, business contacts, or a new sales job, don't pursue a relationship under false pretenses.

Practice the art of introductions. Sometimes a friend or contact will take care of the introductions, and conversation usually flows fairly easily from there. But if no one is around to introduce you to a potential client, you will need to do it yourself. Think of it like the first paragraph of a news story - your basic introduction needs to give the important information while "hooking" the other person into conversation. For example, "Hi, my name is ___________, and I work in sales consultation. This is my first sales conference in Dallas. Have you been to these kinds of events before?" Ending your introduction with a question will encourage your potential new contact to reciprocate.