Working in any sales role is a massive roller coaster full of really high highs and even lower lows. Whether you’re a recruitment consultant, a car sales representative or more on the business development side, sales roles are riddled with hefty challenges!
A career in sales is one built on persistence and thick skin, and decorated with shiny rewards for a job well done. But before you can reap the benefits of being a killer sales person, there are a few truths you have to admit, in order to move forward…
1. You’ll over promise at times, then really regret it…
We’ve all been there. A client or customer says they need ‘x’ with ‘y’ and ‘z’ features. They tell you they can pay £50k and you tell them you’ll make it your mission to deliver. When you hang up the phone or leave the room, you know it’s going to cost them £100k. You know you’ve well and truly over promised. You know that you’re supposed to under promise and over deliver, but the damage has already been done. Good luck crawling out of that hole 😀
https://twitter.com/NotoriousHason/status/775448656753274880?lang=en-gb
2. Admin is unavoidable…
You’re supposed to record all of your conversations and appointments in the central database. You really do try, but sometimes you just don’t have time to fill out the details. You think you’ve gotten away with it until you leave to go on holiday and you have to do a handover with your boss, and they start asking questions about your processes…
Done office admin, filing, answered mail & submitted a VAT return, like an actual grown-up. That's half a day of my life I won't get back.
— Elspeth Cooper – updates only (@ElspethCooper) July 17, 2016
3. Your deals are never safe…
You know you just can’t afford to get your hopes up, ever. One minute it’s a sure thing, the next minute it couldn’t be less likely to drop.
The sales life is rough! One day you on top of the world and your pockets are fat and the next it's the complete opposite lol #SalesLife
— Mike Lowrey (@JSmithII23) August 29, 2016
4. You’ll have some pretty bad days…
All you hear is no, no, no.
Amount made today at work: $0 #saleslife 😅
— 🦖Allie💜 (@alexandrathe1st) September 16, 2016
5. Customers will fail you…
We’ve all heard horror stories about customers and clients who fail necessary background and credit checks at the eleventh hour. When you’ve already accounted for the deal going in, this is hard to swallow.
So, what do you do when you've presented a #creative #talent to a customer, get approval and then the #talent pulls out at last minute?
— Hellon Heels 2.0 ☮️ (@FedChic) October 25, 2012
6. Management meetings are mind-numbing…
Your managers are asking you to build an empire. You can’t keep track of the cliches flying around in here. You have absolutely ZERO pipeline and there’s only so many times you can say that.
https://twitter.com/Dohnny_Cage/status/745301769765412864
7. … Until you earn serious bragging rights, then they are exhilarating!
YOU JUST CLOSED A HUGE DEAL. YES. YES. YES!
Sales meetings are great when you’re the apple of the boss’ eye.
I'm not bragging* or anything but I've just met my weekly sales target at 9:22 on Monday morning. *I am realy.
— Tommy Rose (@tomdotcom1) January 28, 2013
8. Your clients will take the piss at times…
They want the world from you, for the price of a pencil sharpener.
https://twitter.com/bradclough12/status/766633593594675200?lang=en-gb
9. Then leave you hanging with no warning
Get used to having absolutely no warning that they’re jet-setting off to Majorca for 18 days. Who cares if you’re midway through a deal with them? They haven’t got time for you, they’re on holiday now. You’ll just have to wait.
https://twitter.com/MarieFLAWless/status/766120142103339008?lang=en-gb
10. You never stop working…
Your phone is a permanent extension of your hand. Your emails are under constant surveillance. You’re a slave to your inbox.
https://twitter.com/Jessica_Beesh/status/772175059901296640?lang=en-gb
…But you wouldn’t have it any other way!
Having said all of this, sales is one of the most fun, rewarding and exhilarating jobs anyone can have! You get out what you put in – and are rewarded for your efforts. You will be constantly challenged and meeting great people along the way.
https://twitter.com/midnightbubble/status/775427879882686465
🙂
