The profession
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a degree?
Increasingly those going into sales are entering at a graduate level. For some of the bigger companies, graduate schemes are used and into these the top graduates will be recruited. It is possible however to work your way into sales with the suitable experience without a degree. There has though been a marked increase in the number of sales jobs for graduates recently and so it is an industry where seemingly a degree is very much desired.
Which subjects help?
Any degree discipline allows you to enter Sales. From Anthropology to Zoology, a career in Sales is available to all graduates as long as they possess the relevant skills. However, some degrees will lend themselves towards certain sectors better than others. Someone who has studied Biomedical sciences or Pharmacology would fit very well into a job in pharmaceutical sales as would someone who studied an IT related subject be naturally suited for working in IT sales. Although this may elevate you above some of the competition these areas are not exclusively for those who have studied a related subject, as most companies will want people from a wider range of backgrounds.
What work experience is useful?
It is essential to be able to show an employer that you both have the skills set required, and an interest in, working in a sector. Any experience and knowledge of the sector you are applying for is also extremely useful. Experience of direct selling can also be handy as well as working in Telesales.
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