What is Entry Level Direct Sales?

What are some good entry level sales positions?

• What should somebody who wants to get into sales but doesn't have a lot of (recent) experience look for?  Avoiding commission only jobs, or jobs where you have to pay for something up front to get started.

• Answer:

  Your question is very general. As such, I am going general to specific. It is also worth noting that your question seems a bit cautious. There are some companies that pray on new sales people by exploiting them for money or risk free employment. Get a feel for their retention rates, training and base pay. It is helpful to know their investment in you as well as your odds of success. If you have little sales experience it may be worth pursuing something customer facing on the side. Look for something part time perhaps. Below are questions that you may want to consider as you begin to hunt. Since you are going to be hunting for clients, you might as well get in the habit by hunting for jobs. Don't forget to follow up. Very few companies will be looking to hire the minute you call :). Note this is also true if you are doing outbound sales. First: why sales? Second: what are your priorities in life? Making a difference? Money? Education? Location? Following your Passion? Friends? Work Life Balance? Girlfriend/wife? Third: Industry - there are different norms in each industry (finance, healthcare and government tend to move a bit slower for example). Fourth: Company size - this will dramatically affect the feel of the company. Fifth: Many customers or just a few? The smaller the volume the more 'relationship' based the sale is. Sixth: Risk - can you talk to someone that you trust that has done what you are about to do? General Advice: When push comes to shove, an employer is going to want to know that you can do what they want you to do. Since you don't have any proof (sales experience), this is tough to prove. Promise that you are a hustler and set an early goal with the employer. Some sales roles will take longer to ramp up to (some training programs are longer than others). Sales is all about helping your prospect buy - never forget that :).