Sales representatives are the heart and soul of American business. Companies of all types and sizes depend on sales representatives to find prospects, close sales and build long-term customer relationships. A good salesperson can make an excellent living even during challenging economic times; in fact, when the economy turns sour, good selling skills are even more in demand!
Why consider a sales career? Here are some key reasons for choosing this career path:
• Flexibility. There are a vast variety of sales positions in today’s economy. “Inside” sales jobs require representatives to work out of traditional offices or call centers, while people in “outside” sales positions usually travel to various customer locations, and may even travel to different cities or countries. Many sales positions allow you to set your own schedule and hours. All that matters are results!
• Qualifications. Many sales positions require only a basic business background—if that. (Some positions require no more than a high school diploma.) Because every company is different, on-the-job training is usually provided to acquaint new representatives with the projects or services being sold, as well as the organization’s specific sales processes. Additional education and training are often provided in-house to help representatives improve their sales skills and keep them abreast of new products/services as they become available.
• Income Potential. Most sales positions offer either a base salary plus a commission on all sales made, or are commission-only. Bonuses may also be offered. While this arrangement is riskier than a standard hourly or salaried job, the upside is that a good salesperson, if consistent, can earn a very handsome income.
According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) most recent data (May 2008), the median annual earnings of wholesale and manufacturing salespeople (except technical and scientific products) is approximately $49,500, with half making more than that and half making less. The middle 50 percent earn between $35,460 and $71,650 per year, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $26,000 a year and the highest 10% earning more than $101,000 annually.
Income potential can vary greatly depending on the type of product or service being sold, personal experience, commission and bonus schedules, and local and national market conditions. For more information, please consult the Bureau of Labor Statistics and your local state labor department Web site.
• Job Prospects. Again, according to the BLS, employment opportunities for sales representative positions in the wholesale and manufacturing sectors (not including technical or scientific products) is supposed to be “average” for the period between 2006 and 2016, with the number of new positions expected to increase approximately 9 percent nationally during this decade. Locally, opportunities are expected to increase from a high of 46% in Nevada to a low of 0% in New York State. The greatest number of opportunities is expected to exist in newer and smaller companies that rely heavily on salespeople to attract and build a customer base. (Occupational growth rates are projections only, and will vary from community to community.)
• Opportunities for Advancement. Strong, successful salespeople are often promoted to managerial positions at the local, regional or even national level, with compensation increasing accordingly.
Earn Your Business Degree at Everest
Sales is just one of many career paths available to those with a Business background. If you are interested in pursuing this challenging, exciting and often very rewarding career path, Everest has a Business program to fit your needs, schedule and budget. Whether you’re looking for an Associate degree, Bachelor’s degree or an MBA, there’s an Everest campus that can help you achieve your educational goals. Contact Everest today for more information. (Note: Programs and degrees vary by campus.)
