With the job market flooded with professionals, it can be hard to gain an edge when trying to jumpstart your sales career. It can be stressful and confusing for new job seekers and seasoned veterans alike.
With an average of five people competing for every job opening, trying to start your sales career can seem pretty daunting. This is even truer when you take into account how many articles and blog posts about what tips to use when looking for a sales position are published daily.
The best thing to do when you’re a little stressed is to follow your instincts. But, if your instincts are a little rusty, following these 4 tips will help give you back your edge when starting (or re-starting) your sales career.
1. Tailor your Resume
You should tailor your resume specifically for every job you apply to. Each resume and cover letter should be different in some way from the one you sent before. That way your information stays fresh and you are constantly evaluating what your best qualities are. This boosts self esteem, and makes you more prepared in spur of the moment interviews.
Also it helps to remember these tips when tailoring your resume:
- Don’t use an “Objective” statement- regardless of what people say this turns out to be redundant.
- Edit closely- spelling and grammar errors will set your resume apart from the rest, and not in a good way.
- Write how you speak- don’t use “legalese” or “corporatespeak.” Filling your resume with overly complicated language is unnecessary and it will ultimately irritate the reader.
Editing can be difficult, so read a technical writing textbook when applying for sales job positions. They are best for learning how to tailor documents for specific purposes and edit text closely.
2. Use your Contacts
If you have connected with someone high in the chain of command of a particular company, either by meeting them at a corporate function or networking with them on social media sites like Linked In, then use their standing to your advantage when applying for a position.
If you cannot submit your application and resume directly to them, let them know that you have applied for the position and ask if they would be comfortable recommending you.
3. Apply to More than one Position
Applying for one sales job at a time will almost ensure that you are looking for jobs a lot longer than you may desire.
Applying for 3 jobs a week ensures that your resume is going to be seen at least once every other week which will shorten the time spent searching professional sites for sales careers.
It still might take a while to get a job, but the professional sites can help you keep track of which jobs you have applied for. The effort will pay off in the end.
4. Call Back
Many people are afraid of calling to check on the resumes they have sent. They sometimes feel it makes them seem too desperate or eager for a job. The thing to remember is that job searching is not like dating. You can never seem too desperate or eager.
A good rule of thumb is to wait three days for a company to contact you after sending them your information. If they have not called you buy then, try to get someone on the phone to make sure everything got there on time and to see whether or not the position has been filled.
Don’t be afraid that by asking the right questions and being enthusiastic that you will sabotage your job search. Using these tips and avoiding bad manners will help you start your sales career in no time.
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