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I am currently interested in working as a sales representative, wholesale and manufacturing. What steps would you recommend i take to prepare to enter this field?
I want to know more
9 answers
Updated
Joe’s Answer
Hello LeAndrew
The first step is to know your product, always keep in mind that sales and support go hand in hand, know the company you will be working for, good and bad traits, the good ones so you can point them out and the bad so you know how to overcome them, know your audience who you are selling if a person is lactose intolerant you would not sell milk to them right? Lol, last but never least hone any interpersonal skills, selling is not just about the mentioned points above, the key to selling is to make yourself likable and promote confidence to your customer, giving hem the piece of mind that they will always have your support even beyond the sale.
If a customer regardless of what you sell likes and has full confidence in you that you will take care of their needs, then your probability to successfully sell your product will definitely be there.
Hope this helps
All the best
The first step is to know your product, always keep in mind that sales and support go hand in hand, know the company you will be working for, good and bad traits, the good ones so you can point them out and the bad so you know how to overcome them, know your audience who you are selling if a person is lactose intolerant you would not sell milk to them right? Lol, last but never least hone any interpersonal skills, selling is not just about the mentioned points above, the key to selling is to make yourself likable and promote confidence to your customer, giving hem the piece of mind that they will always have your support even beyond the sale.
If a customer regardless of what you sell likes and has full confidence in you that you will take care of their needs, then your probability to successfully sell your product will definitely be there.
Hope this helps
All the best
Updated
Tricia’s Answer
I’d first recommend you put yourself in the mind of the end customer. What are they buying and why would that want yo buy it from you ( e.g. your company). Too often sellers learn their products and try to find sales by sharing all they know with potential clients. Instead, learn about your end-customer and what your company (or potential employer offers) and why you/your company is the best fit/right choice.
Determine who you want to work for
Determine why - what makes this employer attractive you you?
Learn about their end-customers. Read financial reports (such as an annual report if they are publicly traded) and you’ll get a better sense for where you believe your company/future employer sees their opportunity
Determine your skills and share with your future employer why you are the right choice
Have examples ready for ways you’d approach a customer situation and how you’d overcome objections or obstacles
Tricia recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Dipti’s Answer
Hi LeAndrew, there's 2 parts to your question here so I'll answer each separately - hope this helps!
Being a sales agent.
As James said above, sales is about convincing people to buy from you, and the way you do this is by establishing relationships and trust. You want to be able to listen to people, be truly curious about their painpoints and priorities, and connect with them interpersonally. They might be buying the product, but really it's YOU they're choosing to put their trust in as the person they buy from. Do you naturally build quick connections? Do you find it easy to establish rapport with people? Do you enjoy solving people's problems? Do you find it easy to inspire and persuade people? If so, you may naturally have an aptitude for sales. If not, these are areas you'll need to focus on growing in if you want to make a career out of sales.
Manufacturing.
Manufacturing is of course a huge industry, so as a starting point, you might want to start narrowing this down to target areas you can learn more about. Automotive? Renewable energy? Microchips? Furniture? The best place to start is what you're passionate about. The more naturally interested you are in the area, the easier it'll be for you to learn more and more about it - so that when you go for your first internship or job interview, you can speak compellingly on the topic. You don't need to be the expert (!), just the person who is clearly interested, committed and passionate.
Whatever path you choose, just remember you're never committed to it forever, it's just your starting point. Most people make 2 or more significant career transformations over the course of their journey, so just start somewhere, and each opportunity will open new doors for you in the future.
Being a sales agent.
As James said above, sales is about convincing people to buy from you, and the way you do this is by establishing relationships and trust. You want to be able to listen to people, be truly curious about their painpoints and priorities, and connect with them interpersonally. They might be buying the product, but really it's YOU they're choosing to put their trust in as the person they buy from. Do you naturally build quick connections? Do you find it easy to establish rapport with people? Do you enjoy solving people's problems? Do you find it easy to inspire and persuade people? If so, you may naturally have an aptitude for sales. If not, these are areas you'll need to focus on growing in if you want to make a career out of sales.
Manufacturing.
Manufacturing is of course a huge industry, so as a starting point, you might want to start narrowing this down to target areas you can learn more about. Automotive? Renewable energy? Microchips? Furniture? The best place to start is what you're passionate about. The more naturally interested you are in the area, the easier it'll be for you to learn more and more about it - so that when you go for your first internship or job interview, you can speak compellingly on the topic. You don't need to be the expert (!), just the person who is clearly interested, committed and passionate.
Whatever path you choose, just remember you're never committed to it forever, it's just your starting point. Most people make 2 or more significant career transformations over the course of their journey, so just start somewhere, and each opportunity will open new doors for you in the future.
Updated
James’s Answer
Brush up on your interpersonal and problem solving skills. Sales is less about convincing people to buy from you and more about fostering relationships, listening to your customers pain points, and finding creative ways to position products they want to buy.
Take small steps to start and throughout your career. Don't turn down a position that seems below you if it is with a company that affords the ability to grow with.
Take small steps to start and throughout your career. Don't turn down a position that seems below you if it is with a company that affords the ability to grow with.
Updated
Annie’s Answer
Hi Andrew,
I assume you already have ideas on the roles of sales representative when you are showing interests in this specific field. Yet, I'd say the first step is always to have a deep understanding on the industry, company and the products you'll be part of. In order for the sales representative to sell a product to someone else, I believe he himself need to have a great understanding on the product. What's special about this product? Who's the targeted customer? What differentiates this product from other competitors? etc. I personally believe it is hard to promote a product when you yourself isn't convinced by the value of this product, so I hope you do some market research and find the product/company that you could passionately become the advocate to deliver the value to others.
Best regards,
I assume you already have ideas on the roles of sales representative when you are showing interests in this specific field. Yet, I'd say the first step is always to have a deep understanding on the industry, company and the products you'll be part of. In order for the sales representative to sell a product to someone else, I believe he himself need to have a great understanding on the product. What's special about this product? Who's the targeted customer? What differentiates this product from other competitors? etc. I personally believe it is hard to promote a product when you yourself isn't convinced by the value of this product, so I hope you do some market research and find the product/company that you could passionately become the advocate to deliver the value to others.
Best regards,
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Hi LeAndrew, some thoughts from us at Twilio:
- Find a product which you care about, because if you're going to be selling this day in day out, you need passion and authenticity
- Show your willingness to learn and don't worry that you won't know everything. It isn't your job to!
- Build your internal network as much as possible - it is easy to be siloed in sales doing your own thing but internal stakeholder management in sales is critical
- practice makes perfect!
- Find a product which you care about, because if you're going to be selling this day in day out, you need passion and authenticity
- Show your willingness to learn and don't worry that you won't know everything. It isn't your job to!
- Build your internal network as much as possible - it is easy to be siloed in sales doing your own thing but internal stakeholder management in sales is critical
- practice makes perfect!
Updated
Christina’s Answer
Whether your interest is specifically in wholesale and manufacturing, first thing you need to learn is the art of sales.
Sales Rep identifies prospective customers, establish trust, nurture prospects , provide solution, and bring in new business through building strong relationships.
And to reach their you have to practice creative thinking and public speaking. Core knowledge in wholesale and manufacturing industry is the most important , you have to understand the market, demand & supply, and how dynamic the industry is.
Sales Rep identifies prospective customers, establish trust, nurture prospects , provide solution, and bring in new business through building strong relationships.
And to reach their you have to practice creative thinking and public speaking. Core knowledge in wholesale and manufacturing industry is the most important , you have to understand the market, demand & supply, and how dynamic the industry is.
Updated
Tricia’s Answer
I’d first recommend you put yourself in the mind of the end customer. What are they buying and why would that want to buy it from you ( e.g. your company). Too often sellers learn their products and try to find sales by sharing all they know with potential clients. Instead, learn about your end-customer and what your company (or potential employer offers) and why you/your company is the best fit/right choice.
Determine who you want to work for
Determine why - what makes this employer attractive you you?
Learn about their end-customers. Read financial reports (such as an annual report if they are publicly traded) and you’ll get a better sense for where you believe your company/future employer sees their opportunity
Determine your skills and share with your future employer why you are the right choice
Have examples ready for ways you’d approach a customer situation and how you’d overcome objections or obstacles
Tricia recommends the following next steps:
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hello LeAndrew,
Blueprint for Building a Successful Sales Representative Career in Wholesale and Manufacturing:
Educational and Training Path:
Pursue an appropriate degree in fields such as business, marketing, or sales. Think about obtaining certifications like the Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) or Sales and Marketing Executive International (SMEI).
Participate in workshops, seminars, and training courses to sharpen your sales abilities and expand your knowledge.
Acquiring Practical Experience:
Seek internships or entry-level sales roles to gather hands-on experience.
Explore job shadowing opportunities to grasp the daily duties of a sales representative in the wholesale and manufacturing sector.
Honing Communication Skills:
Exercise effective verbal and written communication methods.
Master the art of negotiation and persuasion.
Understanding the Industry Landscape:
Study the wholesale and manufacturing industry to comprehend market trends, competition, product offerings, and customer requirements.
Keep abreast of industry news via publications, websites, and networking events.
Cultivating a Professional Network:
Join industry events, trade fairs, and conferences to mingle with field professionals.
Leverage platforms such as LinkedIn to forge relationships with potential employers and industry gurus.
Boosting Your Sales Proficiency:
Cultivate robust product knowledge to proficiently sell wholesale and manufacturing products.
Understand pricing strategies, customer relationship management (CRM), and sales techniques.
Interview Preparation:
Rehearse typical interview questions related to sales roles.
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for sales, your industry comprehension, and your result-driven approach.
Commitment to Ongoing Learning:
Stay informed about sales methods, technological progress in the field, and best practices through continuous learning opportunities.
By meticulously adhering to these steps, you can effectively equip yourself for a prosperous career as a sales representative in the wholesale and manufacturing industry.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used to Answer this Question:
Harvard Business Review: Offers insights into potent sales strategies, industry trends, and professional growth tips for those aiming to thrive in sales roles.
Salesforce Blog: Provides valuable resources on sales methods, CRM tools, industry news, and expert guidance for individuals aiming to boost their sales proficiency.
LinkedIn Learning: Offers online courses on various sales aspects including negotiation skills, customer relationship management, product knowledge enhancement, and more.
BLESSINGS TO YOU LEANDREW,
JC.
Blueprint for Building a Successful Sales Representative Career in Wholesale and Manufacturing:
Educational and Training Path:
Pursue an appropriate degree in fields such as business, marketing, or sales. Think about obtaining certifications like the Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) or Sales and Marketing Executive International (SMEI).
Participate in workshops, seminars, and training courses to sharpen your sales abilities and expand your knowledge.
Acquiring Practical Experience:
Seek internships or entry-level sales roles to gather hands-on experience.
Explore job shadowing opportunities to grasp the daily duties of a sales representative in the wholesale and manufacturing sector.
Honing Communication Skills:
Exercise effective verbal and written communication methods.
Master the art of negotiation and persuasion.
Understanding the Industry Landscape:
Study the wholesale and manufacturing industry to comprehend market trends, competition, product offerings, and customer requirements.
Keep abreast of industry news via publications, websites, and networking events.
Cultivating a Professional Network:
Join industry events, trade fairs, and conferences to mingle with field professionals.
Leverage platforms such as LinkedIn to forge relationships with potential employers and industry gurus.
Boosting Your Sales Proficiency:
Cultivate robust product knowledge to proficiently sell wholesale and manufacturing products.
Understand pricing strategies, customer relationship management (CRM), and sales techniques.
Interview Preparation:
Rehearse typical interview questions related to sales roles.
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for sales, your industry comprehension, and your result-driven approach.
Commitment to Ongoing Learning:
Stay informed about sales methods, technological progress in the field, and best practices through continuous learning opportunities.
By meticulously adhering to these steps, you can effectively equip yourself for a prosperous career as a sales representative in the wholesale and manufacturing industry.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used to Answer this Question:
Harvard Business Review: Offers insights into potent sales strategies, industry trends, and professional growth tips for those aiming to thrive in sales roles.
Salesforce Blog: Provides valuable resources on sales methods, CRM tools, industry news, and expert guidance for individuals aiming to boost their sales proficiency.
LinkedIn Learning: Offers online courses on various sales aspects including negotiation skills, customer relationship management, product knowledge enhancement, and more.
BLESSINGS TO YOU LEANDREW,
JC.
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