Lewis Fraser
- Lewis graduated in Economics from Aberystwyth University and joined a leading Graduate Recruitment specialist as a graduate sales trainee before joining their media team as a consultant in 2001. Since then he has worked across a variety of markets within the UK media industry across both graduate and senior level roles. Lewis is now the Commercial Director with Profiles Creative, a specialist recruitment consultancy in London, Reading and Leeds.
Finding the right job
Key Skills and Minimum Requirements
Without sales there is no revenue and no profit, so it is not surprising that sales people are among the most highly paid. Able to earn not just salaries, but also bonuses and commissions based on performance. It is also an area where fast track progression is made possible because of the meritocratic nature of the role. That said you need to get the right job for you first.
Obtaining your first job in sales is unlike a lot of other industry sectors in that education is by no means the key skill requirement. Very few people have degrees in sales, the reason being that the skill set needed is far more competency and personality based than anything else. You do still, however, need to consider how your CV looks as this is the initial way you will go about ‘selling’ yourself to your potential employer.
Your CV:
Education
Will usually be the first thing a potential employer will look for on most candidates CV’s. There are not many degrees in sales and as such most degrees are generally accepted. There are though related degrees that can provide you with a good foundation. A business degree can indicate an understanding, and perhaps most importantly interest, in commerce and industry. Marketing related degree can help provide a knowledge of how companies market and sell their products. Although a degree is not essential within sales, education, does as always, still provide potential employers with a preconception of your potential ability. Education is the backbone of successful employees in many sectors and sales is by no means any different.
Work Experience
It’s the way you sell it that counts. Ideally a potential sales employer would look for a candidate with proven experience in sales or a phone based role. This could be in the form or a telesales role during summer holidays, street fundraising, call centre experience or customer services. However, any form of work experience that has involved dealing with other businesses or the public can be equally as beneficial. Bar work involves dealing with customers day in day out. Retail work often involves upselling to customers and providing the best possible service. Whatever form of sales experience you may have, the key is to highlight this as much as possible.
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