Could sales be your ideal graduate job?
With competitive salaries and employee benefits, plus the chance to work within industries that interest you, a sales career could offer just what you want from a graduate job.
With basic salaries reaching as high as £28,000 in some cases (and that’s excluding the sizeable commission on top of that when you reach your targets), sales careers are not to be scoffed at.
So, why is it that sales careers get the cold shoulder? Contrary to popular belief, graduate sales careers are in fact rather glamorous jobs for recent graduates. Going out to nice dinners, dressing up and driving around in executive cars are often all part of the package.
If you think that sales isn’t a career for those with a degree, then think again. The skills you develop during your degree will prove invaluable. The reason why many multinational companies run graduate sales schemes is because they want to exploit the skills, knowledge and talent which graduates can bring to the marketplace.
Why sales?
One of the best things about a sales graduate job is the salary package. Unlike most careers, you are actually rewarded for the work you put in. Companies usually offer a basic package, plus the opportunity to earn commission if you reach target. Some companies will also offer uncapped earning potential, which in other words means the sky’s the limit.
Career progression in sales is very good too. Since sales spans across all sectors, you can quite easily move into other positions within different industries. Depending on where you work and how well you do, you could climb to the top in a very short time period.
Also, you can sell a product or service you have an interest in. For example, if you had a degree in construction you could go into construction sales. There are many different routes to becoming successful.
Did you know: OTE stands for On Target Earnings or Opportunity To Earn.
How to succeed
To be successful in a graduate sales role you will need to be presentable and driven with a high degree of motivation. You will be a fast learner and enjoy operating in a fast-paced environment.
While most companies will train you on the basics of selling, there’s something indefinable and very personal which makes some people fantastic at selling. It’s usually down to their own personality.
You need to be super-confident, articulate and love meeting new people both face-to-face and over the telephone.
Most companies will ask for any degree discipline rather than requiring specific technical knowledge. This can be acquired on the job; sales potential, ambition, and good communication skills are more important.
If you feel that sales is the graduate job for you, why not check out some of our vacancies below.
P3 Graduate Job Opportunities