Although sales people can come from all backgrounds and have countless methods of selling, there are some characteristics that remain true for anyone successful in the industry. If you’re considering a career in sales, especially in this booming tech scene, see if you’ve got the attributes of a successful salesperson.
Extroversion
Salespeople have to have some level of extroversion. Although there are introverts that become successful at sales, it is through teaching themselves to embrace the extrovert within. Extroversion is essential to create relationships with people, be willing to take the lead in a conversation, and to establish empathy. To be successful in a sales position, you have to feel comfortable talking to other people.
Confidence
Along the lines of extroversion, confidence is another major factor in sales. As a salesperson, your job is to help people find solutions to problems. Whether you’re selling a service or product, you need to be able to present it in a way that people are confident in its abilities. If you don’t feel comfortable taking a stand and representing something then sales may not be the best industry for you.
Persuasive
Sales isn’t about convincing people to buy something they don’t need. It is, though, about getting people to make the buy. The larger the sale, the slower the process takes, and it is easier to push off making a decision, even if the solution would help. Persuasion comes into play when you are dealing with sales timelines. Being able to help a customer work through any issues and ultimately make the sale comes down to how well you are able to identify with their problems.
Hardworking
The sales industry can be a lot of work. You have to be self-motivated to truly succeed. Putting in extra effort to make sure you’re reaching out to as many people as you can, following up with your clients, and fully understanding their situations can be exhausting. Salespeople are hard workers. They enjoy making a difference and don’t want just a nine to five gig. They are more interested in doing their job well.
Thoughtful
The most successful salespeople are thoughtful. They plan out their calls, their follow-ups, their pitches, and anything else ahead of time. They take into consideration everything their customer says. They understand when a sale isn’t the right option for a particular client. They aren’t afraid to go back to the drawing board if it means their consumer will be more comfortable. Although this attribute goes against the typical stereotypical “salesman” persona, it is prevalent in every successful salesperson.