Ten steps to a new sales job

Landing a new job in sales in the current environment is going to be challenging, but if you are determined and focused you can achieve the goal of an exciting new career move this year. We believe taking the steps below will ensure sure you are top of the pile when your dream employer is hiring, and opportunities arise in the sales career area you’re interested in.

1. Set a very clear, achievable job goal

Often people apply for jobs that they are simply not qualified for, in areas they have no experience or even the necessary aptitude. It sounds obvious but the first step on a serious, determined job hunt it to aim at something you can do, really want to do, and know is achievable. You need to fully understand what’s required to be employed, so start by doing the research. Don’t waste your own and employers’ time sending out hundred of applications for jobs you won’t be invited to interview for. Find out what’s required and make sure you have taken the right steps to meet that criteria.

2. Spring clean your CV

Before you send out your CV it must be perfectly written, up to date, and error free. That means ensuring your own employment history is correct, your referees are onboard and informed, and presentation is spot on. Get the basics right, like the spelling and grammar, as well as the more detailed areas like demonstrating your skills and experience adequately and succinctly. It’s well worth getting feedback from your peers and making changes if they recommend that. A fresh set of eyes will eliminate spelling mistakes and bad grammar, and you might get good ideas about presentation, and how to describe what you have achieved.

3. Work on your social media profile

Don’t allow a sloppy profile on social media to let you down. You need your LinkedIn and Facebook profiles to be fully updated and working hard for you. On LinkedIn make sure you have decent recommendations, your CV is uploaded and you have made it clear you are interested in fresh career opportunities. On Facebook take a long look at everything and delete anything that detracts from your professional image. Also consider whether you should be Tweeting valuable and interesting updates about your field of business. Get yourself noticed on discussion pages and forums, follow the right companies and industry experts and make intelligent comments where appropriate – all of which will help you build your online brand, and make you look highly employable.

4. Build up your experience

How you go about this will depend on which area of sales you’re going for, and how far you have got already. If you are starting out, work experience is your best bet. If you already work in the business, then volunteering for extra work in the area in your current role is well worth a go. In sales, your achievements are very visible and measurable, so make sure you can show hard numbers that demonstrate what you have sold in a previous role, even if the product or service in question is different. You’ll need to ask for the opportunity to volunteer or clock up work experience – don’t sit at home and wait for someone to give you a break.

5. Exploit your professional network

Everyone knows someone who knows someone, and when it comes to progressing your sales career, it’s often just a case of asking, and making clear your ambitions. The best way to do this in the sales environment is to get in touch with friends, friends of friends, family, acquaintances, former colleagues, and tell them your aim. Even if you are not well connected, you can use the media to put out your message. Consider which business journals or websites everyone in your sector reads, and are there events everyone goes to? If you do attend industry conferences and networking events make sure you ask the right questions, talk to people, pass on your details and collect business cards. Always be friendly and professional, and make it clear that you are looking for a particular opportunity.

6. Sign up to niche job boards and email job alerts

How can you be ahead of the competition and apply for jobs as soon as they’re live? Thankfully specialist online job boards make this possible as they offer email and text alert services that are quick and easy to sign up to. For instance you can sign up for sales job alerts here at www.simplysalesjobs.co.uk. So make sure you subscribe to all the relevant job sites and keep on top of them, remembering to check industry journals and websites too. It’s also well worth checking company sites, using job search tools, and getting in touch with recruitment companies that specialise in the industry, and could help you find the perfect job.

7. Target companies directly

Make a ‘wish list’ of the companies you would like to work for, and set out a plan for how you aim to contact them. You might want to email your CV and details one month, and follow up with a phonecall to HR or the sales director/manager the following month. At the same time make sure you keep an eye on all the relevant company websites for opportunities as they are posted. Make sure that when you do speak to someone influential you have constructive things to say, and can demonstrate your understanding of what the company does, and what sort of people it wants to hire.

8. Seek out hidden opportunities

Sometimes companies need to fill posts quickly and will appreciate having an enthusiastic candidate in the wings ready to start work as soon as the right opportunity arises. Often sales job positions are filled without the need for a job to be advertised, so make yourself available for this kind of ad hoc opportunity. It’s worth making contact with the HR department, or sales director of any company you are interested in, as soon as you have gathered the knowledge and experience you need. If you communicate clearly and at the right time, you could secure an interview without having had to apply for a job.

9. Take your time

The reality of job hunting is that it’s virtually impossible to land a job overnight. Seeking out opportunities and going through the hiring process is highly time-consuming, so don’t try and rush it, and do everything in a slap-dash fashion. Spend plenty of time perfecting your CV, contacting your best industry connections, building a decent profile on social media channels, and contacting companies on your wish list. You’ll only make the right impression if you do things properly and thoroughly.

10. Be determined and stay positive

Job hunting can be tiring and disappointing, but whatever you do, DON’T GIVE UP! It’s never easy securing a job, but if you can persevere and stay positive you will win through in the end. You may face setbacks and rejections along the way, and you’ll need to learn by your mistakes. Remember this is a journey, and you have the end in sight if you have followed all the advice above. It’ll all be worth it when you’re working where you want to be, doing the sales job you’ve always dreamt of.

For a full range of sales job opportunities browse www.simplysalesjobs.co.uk

Sign up to email job alerts here.

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