How to Study as a Sales Professional

I'm hoping somebody might be able to offer some assistance to me. I am employed in the construction sector for the past 12 years+ but the past year and more I have been mulling over a possible change of career. After a lot of soul searching I do think a career in Technical Sales (serving the Construction Industry) would suit my personality and future career hopes and plans. The big problem is I don't know where to start in gaining any sales knowledge (of which I have absolutely none at the moment). As I am currently in employment my preferred route would be to study part time as I could not afford to leave my current job to study full time. Can anyone recommend a particular course or route I should consider

Thanks in advance for any help?!

Sales is more practical and I would look for any sales job as a first port of call to see do you really like it and if it suits you.

There might be some day courses you can do, but really its all about proven history and documented success. Just try to get a job and go from there.

Talk to recruiters they may be able to offer you some good advice

I'd concur with other posters. I'd go as far to say with experience you can learn some techniques. But really it's something that your born with (which you may have been). Were you selling your sweets to the other kids in the school yard? Do you love to haggle at the markets?

DaithiMc2007 said:

I have been mulling over a possible change of career ... I do think a career in Technical Sales (serving the Construction Industry) would suit my personality ... As I am currently in employment

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If the outfit you presently work for has a sales side I would ask to transfer into the arena and see if they would reskill you.

As a proven Business Development Manager my advice would be to look at jobs in the industry advertised by recruitment agencies who spesialize in the field. You will probably find that most employers in that field would value your industry experience more than any specific sales qualification. Persuing a qualification is of course the answer to placing yourself in a more employable bracket. There are a vast number of courses available on the internet and books you can buy on the subject. This has helped me alot.

The key, I find, to a successful sales career is: Personality, Self Discipline, Business Accumen and tenacity.

Good luck!

Hi,

Thanks for sharing the useful information.

Flipping through the pages of books or surfing through the nets one will come across innumerable definitions about the professionals and their required qualifications. The same is also the case of the motivational speakers. Everyone however agrees on one point that it requires skill development to become sales professional or motivational speaker. Success in business requires a judicious blend of the two qualities. Differentiation however is difficult due to the fact that the dividing line between the two has become thinner with the passage of time.

I don’t think an academic qualification in sales is worth much.
If you want to study do a business degree so that you better understand the business of business (money and how it is generated and used within an organisation).

Think of a guy can pick up a woman, not just chat to her in a bar but actually close the deal. That, in essence, is the same basic skill as a good sales person. Some people are born with it, some have to learn it, and some people will never be able to do it.

OP, if I was a perspective employer I would be most interested in what contacts you had within me current and prospective targets. You need to be also to get what the Americans call "face time" with the right people and then you need to have the technical knowledge of your own products and/or services, be articulate enough to pitch them in a clear and succinct manner that makes them attractive to your customers business.

I would alo add that sales in very creative, something I never appreciated 'till I got into it.

Well,

Any one who is willing to choose a sales career needs to have postive attitude and good realtionship building skills. Goal setting is another powerful attribute essential for sales persons. We all know that goals dictate future and give us a sense of purpose and direction.