{"id":2439,"date":"2025-03-05T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.backstagelenses.com\/?p=2439"},"modified":"2025-03-05T17:42:30","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T17:42:30","slug":"sales-velocity-what-it-is-how-to-measure-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.backstagelenses.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/05\/sales-velocity-what-it-is-how-to-measure-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Sales Velocity: What It Is & How to Measure It"},"content":{"rendered":"
From what I can see, a sales career is fast-paced, relationship-driven, and even competitive at times. All of these qualities can make for an exciting job, but you have to take the right steps to get into sales before you can land your dream role.<\/p>\n
To learn more about what it takes to start and grow a sales career, I want to dive into the different roles and career paths. What\u2019s a typical sales career path? How do you get started in sales? Is the sales job market strong enough to support a career?<\/p>\n
Come with me to discover the answers!<\/p>\n
Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n Sales spans every business and every industry. Small businesses need salespeople, as do massive enterprise companies. There are a variety of roles and responsibilities that fall within sales, but the core of all sales careers remains the same.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n Choosing a career path in sales depends on your experience, company, and industry. Here\u2019s a look at a common path you can take, from beginner rep to established executive.<\/p>\n Sales development reps (SDRs)<\/a>, also known as business development reps (BDRs), are responsible for the first step in the sales funnel. Their job is to bring in qualified leads<\/a>. They conduct research to find prospective customers, reach out to gauge interest, and decide whether the lead is ready to move down the funnel.<\/p>\n I learned that if you want to thrive in a sales development representative career path, you need to have strong interpersonal communication and organizational skills. The best SDRs understand the ins and outs of the products and make a lasting impression.<\/p>\n Once the SDR has determined the prospect is ready, they send the person over to a closing rep. This process means SDRs typically aren\u2019t held to traditional quotas. Their metrics include the number of calls they make or qualified leads they gather. Depending on the company, the compensation for an SDR can be a base salary, commission-based, or a combination of base plus commission.<\/p>\n According to Glassdoor<\/a>, the average base salary for an SDR is $50,094. PayScale<\/a> reports the average commission ranges from $5,000 to $26,000.<\/p>\n Source<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n I think a sales development representative career path is right for you if you\u2019re looking to get started in sales and don\u2019t have much experience. You\u2019ll learn how to research prospects, make calls, send emails, understand the offerings, and organize leads. Once you\u2019re crushing the numbers, you\u2019ll be ready for that promotion.<\/p>\n Inside salespeople are the go-to teammates for prospecting, nurturing, and converting leads. They rely on email, phone calls, videos, and virtual meetings \u2014 instead of face-to-face interactions. Their job is to build relationships and move people through the sales funnel.<\/p>\n Inside sales reps need many skills to land clients from afar. These include:<\/p>\n While these roles are communication-heavy, I found out sales reps only spend about two hours daily<\/a> active selling.<\/p>\n I also learned this role needs to educate prospects. They\u2019re responsible for following up once a sale is closed to maintain customer satisfaction and encourage repeat purchases. As a result, inside sales reps typically have a hybrid compensation package. That includes a base salary and commission.<\/p>\n Per Glassdoor<\/a>, the average base salary for an inside sales rep is between $42,000 and $62,000. The average commission ranges from $2,000 to $27,000, according to PayScale<\/a>.<\/p>\n Similar to SDRs, I think inside sales reps have a great launch point for a sales career. The path to a promotion is clear, and you\u2019ll gain the skills you need to level up to a managerial position.<\/p>\n Most people in the role have under four years of experience. Depending on the company, this role can also include people with five to 20 years of experience.<\/p>\n If you imagine jet-setting to pitch prospective clients, an outside sales rep role could be right for you. People in this position spend their time traveling to give demos, attend conferences, and meet with buyers in person.<\/p>\n For the same reasons that inside sales reps roles are growing, outside sales reps now often rely on technology to land customers. In fact, 56% of sellers<\/a> say that remote selling has made it easier to sell.<\/p>\n Since travel can be part of this role, you can expect a larger compensation package. Just consider the time and energy it takes to be on the move. This can be taxing if you\u2019re not ready to constantly pack your bags.<\/p>\n According to Glassdoor, the average base salary for outside sales reps is between $70,000 and $122,000.<\/a> PayScale found that average commission ranges from $4,000 to $49,000<\/a>.<\/p>\n When considering an outside sales rep role, I recommend you research the industry and company ahead of time. It\u2019s good to check how much travel is involved, what technology you\u2019ll have access to, and what performance metrics you\u2019ll be evaluated against.<\/p>\n Keep in mind that the majority of people in this position have several years of experience.<\/a> They often have to work independently and excel at time management. If autonomy is your thing, this role may be right for you.<\/p>\n Building and maintaining customer relationships is essential to growing a business. This is where account managers come in. People in this role work with customers after the first purchase. They act as the point person on behalf of their company for customers.<\/p>\n Account managers are responsible for maintaining relationships, understanding customers\u2019 needs, and acting as advocates for clients. They stay up-to-date on industry trends to create long-term sales strategies.<\/p>\n Account managers<\/a> are evaluated on customer retention and satisfaction metrics. Their main goal is to increase the ROI on a purchase. They\u2019ll often connect with a salesperson if an opportunity to cross-sell or upsell arises. Some companies offer account managers a base salary, while others include commission sharing for the clients you help nudge to a sale.<\/p>\n In 2024, the average base salary for an account manager is $67,466<\/a>, and the average commission ranges from $2,000 to $38,000<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you enjoy building lasting relationships, I think an account manager role is an ideal choice. You\u2019ll have to gain customers\u2019 trust, understand their industry, and help them achieve their goals. As the internal go-to, you\u2019ll have direct access to customers and work to maintain those relationships.<\/p>\n Once you have some experience in sales, an account executive<\/a> position is a natural next step.<\/p>\n This role is focused on figuring out prospective customers\u2019 needs. It entails:<\/p>\n You need to figure out exactly what people need to convert and finalize the sale.<\/p>\n If the idea of collaborating with clients to land a huge sale thrills you, an AE role may be perfect. Your performance will be measured on the number of sales you help close.<\/p>\n I should warn you though: As an account executive, you have to be prepared for rejection. You may put in the work only for a lead to change their mind or delay a purchase. Both the rejection and<\/strong> rewards can be big.<\/p>\n The average base salary for an account executive in 2024 is $86,000<\/a>, and commission can range from $4,000 to $53,000<\/a>.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve learned that resilience and the ability to foster relationships are crucial to succeed as an account executive. You will need experience in an entry or mid-level sales role before making the jump to this position.<\/p>\n As a marketer, I can confirm that you may also need to collaborate with the marketing team to manage personalized materials or content for leads. A background in cross-functional collaboration is helpful for landing a job as an account executive.<\/p>\n Regional sales managers oversee the sales reps in their district, including SDRs, inside and outside sales reps, and account managers. They\u2019re responsible for developing strategies to meet company sales goals.<\/p>\n People in this role need to be great at monitoring and motivating salespeople. They must have the skills to lead a team, dig into the details, and analyze sales data.<\/p>\n Some tasks you may find yourself doing as a regional sales manager include:<\/p>\n With more responsibilities, compensation for this role is higher than an AE position. According to Glassdoor<\/a>, the average base salary for regional sales managers is anywhere from $75,000 to $131,000 per year. For commission, PayScale<\/a> reports an average range of $5,000 to $51,000.<\/p>\n A regional sales manager job may be right for you if you\u2019ve been in a sales position for more than three years. You should have some managerial experience and understand what it takes to bring in new customers.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re lacking some skills required for this role, I\u2019d recommend asking your manager or a mentor what you can do to expand your skill set. Get feedback on any projects or volunteer opportunities, and use it to grow into the leader you want to become.<\/p>\n If running an internal team is more attractive to you than managing customers, a sales operations manager may be your speed. This position requires software, data analysis, and leadership skills to support a sales team. The aim is to make sure the sales team is running smoothly by minimizing friction in the sales process.<\/p>\n You need experience using technology to simplify and automate sales operations, as well as the skills to organize and analyze data. You\u2019ll then need to identify areas for improvement and help train the team on new processes. On a basic level, you help others achieve their goals.<\/p>\n The average base salary of a sales operations manager is between $70,000 and $118,000<\/a> per year, and commission ranges from $4,000 to $32,000<\/a>.<\/p>\n Part of a sales operations manager role is working with senior leadership to solve issues within a sales department. You may have to meet with customers and senior executives to get to the root of a problem. If you love solving for specialized needs and optimizing processes, you\u2019ll likely excel in this role.<\/p>\n In my opinion, a sales engineer is one of the most unique roles in the sales career path. Sales engineers<\/a> use a combination of technical engineering skills and business acumen. They\u2019re responsible for increasing sales and profit by understanding what customers need. They work with the product, engineering, and sales teams to develop a solution.<\/p>\n This role is also known as \u201csystems engineer,\u201d \u201cpre-sales support,\u201d or \u201cfield consultants.\u201d People on this career path have an engineering background and experience working with customers.<\/p>\n If you want to get into sales engineering, I\u2019ll bet you enjoy mixing complex technical knowledge with superior people skills. In my work experience, this combination can be rare. Sales engineers enjoy a higher median compensation than other sales positions.<\/p>\n The average base salary of a sales engineer is $112,488.<\/a> The average commission can range from $6,000 to $44,000<\/a> per year.<\/p>\n Most companies look to hire a sales engineer with five or more years of experience. To take this step in your sales career, you should be able to drive the company\u2019s product and sales direction.<\/p>\n You must communicate with customers to understand their technical needs, collaborate with the engineering and product teams on solutions, and provide guidance on technical questions.<\/p>\n Sales directors work with managers to set quota goals, develop strategies, and hire exceptional reps. People in this position are responsible for creating a vision for salespeople to follow. They then communicate company directives to the team.<\/p>\n To become a director of sales, you need to show a history of strong sales performance. Your region and reps should show a pattern of growth. Further, your leadership skills should inspire your team to grow beyond their responsibilities.<\/p>\n Experience in marketing and customer satisfaction is key to this role, as you\u2019ll be asked for new marketing tactics to attract customers. As a manager, you\u2019ll likely be responsible for hiring and firing employees. You\u2019ll also need to know how to lead training sessions, coach poor performers, and represent management.<\/p>\n The average base salary for sales director roles is between $101,000 to $174,000<\/a>. The average commission is between $7,000 and $68,000<\/a> per year.<\/p>\n I think you\u2019re ready for this role if you\u2019re a sales manager who forecasts like no other. This is especially true if you notice gaps in the sales process and know what it takes to fix them.<\/p>\n An expert in sales and leadership can rise to the vice president of sales position. This executive role works on a large national or regional scale. VPs supervise sales managers and ensure company sales strategies are properly rolled out.<\/p>\n To reach this point in your sales career, you need the skills to help your team and company scale. This includes creating revenue reports on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. You need to stay on top of trends, develop strategies to increase efficiency, and communicate with executives and the board.<\/p>\n The increase in responsibilities comes with an increase in compensation. You\u2019ll be evaluated on the performance of your team and earn a commission when they meet or exceed goals.<\/p>\n The average base salary of a VP of sales in 2024 is between $126,000 to $226,000<\/a> per year. The average commission ranges from $10,000 to $100,000<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to Glassdoor, 44% of people in a VP of sales position<\/a> have five to seven years of experience. Further, 29% have more than eight years, and 27% have two to four years. If you\u2019re aiming for this role, I suggest you learn what\u2019s required of a VP, shadow a sales executive, and develop your people management skills.<\/p>\n The chief sales officer is a scarce and competitive role, usually found at large companies. It\u2019s the pinnacle of a career in sales. The position demands highly honed skills in strategic sales, leadership, business development, and revenue growth tactics.<\/p>\n This role often reports to the CEO and advises on how to drive growth for the company as a whole. People in this position work alongside the executive team to develop complex strategies that will yield higher revenue. This includes leading sales forecasting, setting sales targets, and overseeing execution.<\/p>\n The chief sales officer must report results to stakeholders and work cross-functionally to ensure efficiency across teams.<\/p>\n The average base salary for a chief sales officer role is $204,212<\/a>. The total pay can be up to $524,552 per year.<\/p>\n Becoming a Chief Sales Officer requires experience at the manager, director, and VP levels. PayScale<\/a> reports that 80% of Chief Sales Officers fall under the \u201clate-career\u201d and \u201cexperienced\u201d levels.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n So you\u2019re interested in the sales career path but are unsure if it\u2019s the right choice for you? Use the following list to see if these characteristics sum up your personality and ideal responsibilities.<\/p>\n If this list gets you excited to job hunt, then sales may be the right fit for you. Now, you just need to decide how to get into sales. Your education and work experience can determine which role you land, so see where you fit before starting to apply for jobs.<\/p>\n Education isn\u2019t always necessary to build a fulfilling career in sales. Sometimes, a high school diploma is all you need to get your first job offer.<\/p>\n However, if you\u2019re looking to climb the ladder, a bachelor\u2019s degree is often required for managers. One in four salespeople majored in business<\/a>, yet 17% never attended college.<\/p>\n Once you get to senior leadership roles, a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) program can give you a leg up. You\u2019ll also learn the skills to run and manage a business.<\/p>\n I learned that the following degree programs are the best choices for a successful sales career:<\/p>\n To show what employers look for in each role, PayScale<\/a> shows the most common degree requirements along the sales career path.<\/p>\n Beyond formal degrees, you can benefit from joining professional sales associations and organizations<\/a>. Consider the National Association of Sales Professionals<\/a> or the National Sales Network<\/a>.<\/p>\n Those who plan to take on a senior leadership role often go back to school to get an MBA or a graduate degree in a relevant field. If you\u2019re unsure if this is the path for you, check out this quiz by The Princeton Review<\/a> to see if an MBA program is the right fit.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n The Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a> projects sales occupations to drop from 2023\u20132033. However, it also projects 1.8 million sales job openings each year.<\/p>\n I think the good news is that every business needs sales, especially in the service and wholesale industries. Sales roles also exist in nearly every industry at small, medium, and large businesses.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to get into sales and kickstart your career.<\/p>\n With so many companies offering entry-level sales jobs, I recommend taking the time to pick the industry that interests you. Research the products or services you\u2019d be selling. Then, consider the company culture and see the career paths salespeople within the company take.<\/p>\n You should be excited about both the short-term responsibilities and long-term career potential.<\/p>\n The saying \u201cYour network is your net worth\u201d rings true in sales. The more people you know, the more opportunities come your way. See if anyone in your network is on their own sales career journey, and reach out to ask about their experience.<\/p>\n I also recommend joining a professional sales organization and attending networking or webinar events to meet people. Keep an open mind and be intentional with conversations. You never know which connection could lead to an introduction or job offer.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re starting your sales career or looking to level up, I advise applying for positions that offer training programs or mentorship.<\/p>\n Sales can be tough. A mentor can make all the difference. Coaching can help you learn after losing a sale. You\u2019ll also build the skills you need for that promotion.<\/p>\n I suggest you take your weaknesses, strengths, and needs into account when looking for roles. You want a company that can help you grow into a sales leader.<\/p>\n You have to understand a product or service to sell it. So, going into a sales job interview without information on the industry won\u2019t get you anywhere.<\/p>\n Show that you know how to educate yourself and customers about an offering. Then, understand what type of customers want to buy the product and are able to build trust with people.<\/p>\n Products change, companies reorganize, and leaders leave. You have to stay adaptable through the ups and downs as a salesperson.<\/p>\n If the product you\u2019re supposed to sell isn\u2019t ready by the deadline, you\u2019ll be the one explaining the delay to potential customers. Resiliency and quick thinking can get you far in sales, so highlight your ability to adjust to change.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n Considering a career change to sales<\/a> from another field? Lucky for you, entry-level sales roles don\u2019t often require specific degrees or experience. The skills you gain from a job in finance, marketing, public relations, or customer service can be enough to convince employers you\u2019re right for the role.<\/p>\n I was curious to hear from someone who got into sales from another career, so I talked to Guilherme Marques<\/a>, a former management consultant who pivoted to tech sales.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring my time at the consulting firm, I developed field sales enablement programs for clients in the pharmaceutical wholesaler and pet food industries,\u201d Marques recalls. \u201cI also redesigned inside sales processes and created an automated inbound lead qualification system for a fintech company. These experiences sparked my interest in moving into sales.\u201d<\/p>\n Leaning on his transferable skills, such as process design and client management, Marques landed a position in sales operations at Google. From there, he transitioned to a sales executive position at Semantix, a data platform provider. He\u2019s now pursuing his MBA to strengthen his position in sales in a global context and plans to return to a global tech company.<\/p>\n I was inspired by Marques\u2019s transition into a sales career, so I asked him to share his best tips for anyone else who wants to know how to get into sales from another career.<\/p>\n To make the switch, you need to research the roles you\u2019re after to find what the hiring managers want. They look for candidates who are great at communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving. Show that you can work independently, stay organized, and be self-motivated.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen pitching yourself, focus on how you will contribute to the sales organization,\u201d says Marques. \u201cIdentify your competitive advantage. For me, it was my consulting skills and continuous improvement mindset.\u201d<\/p>\n Relationships are everything in sales, no matter what type of sales role you\u2019re pursuing.<\/p>\n Marques also emphasizes the importance of relationships and networking. \u201cIn sales, it\u2019s crucial to self-promote and build a network of advocates within the company to support your transition,\u201d he says. \u201cThis is how I successfully moved into a sales executive role.\u201d<\/p>\n Make sure to consider the type of compensation as well. If you\u2019re coming from a role with a steady paycheck, a pure commission salary may seem too stressful. You can ease into sales with a hybrid base pay plus commission salary. You can then prove you have what it takes while giving yourself some wiggle room.<\/p>\n A core set of skills and the ability to sell yourself can get your sales career started. But what about the people who advise you to stay away from sales? Let\u2019s break down the pros and cons so you can decide for yourself.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n Like most careers, sales has both positives and negatives. The negatives can be tough to handle: performance-based payment, continual rejection, repetition chasing leads, and poor reputations.<\/p>\n So why is sales a good career?<\/p>\n Sales is essential to converting customers and growing a business. Of online buyers, 75%<\/a> want to receive a call from a salesperson. Additionally, salespeople who reach out to potential buyers within an hour of receiving a query are seven times more likely to qualify the lead<\/a> than those who wait 24 hours or longer.<\/p>\n You can be the one to create a positive sales experience for customers by listening and providing relevant information.<\/p>\n The more work you put in, the greater your reward. And there are very few careers that leave room for massive income potential like sales. You do have to hit quotas or revenue goals, but you also get rewarded for meeting those goals. (Think bonuses, commission, trips, swag, prizes, and more).<\/p>\n While you may not be bringing in the Benjamins early on in your sales career, the earning potential increases with your experience. PayScale found that commissions for sales careers<\/a> vary between $2,000 to nearly $180,000. Monster<\/a> shares that certain sales commissions reach into the millions.<\/p>\n Salespeople learn soft skills like persuasion, communication, creativity, collaboration, flexibility, time management, and customer service. I\u2019ve found these abilities are invaluable to any career, including sales.<\/p>\n Need a hint on which soft skills to focus on? A survey by SHRM<\/a> found that 42% of HR professionals and hiring managers agreed that problem-solving<\/strong> is one of the top three soft skills they are focusing on developing in their organizations.<\/p>\n More than half<\/a> of the U.S. workforce works remotely part of the time, and 27% of employees were fully remote<\/a> in 2023. Sales is no exception. Research from HubSpot found that 71% of salespeople<\/a> in the U.S. work hybrid while 10% are fully remote.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n Number one, and possibly the most important of all, is to maintain a good mindset. This includes staying positive, setting attainable goals, rewarding yourself, and repeating the process.<\/p>\n Maintaining a positive mindset also extends into the field. Learning to stay collected in the face of challenges increases productivity and improves morale.<\/p>\n There are many websites and books on finding the best sales career path, and I think all should be considered. Look into what you want to sell, what type of sales, and what types of pay structures there are for the different fields.<\/p>\n Research helps you to compile a series of questions to use during an interview. I\u2019ve found this gives you a possible advantage over others and shows that you\u2019ve done your research.<\/p>\n In my experience, it\u2019s important to stay in contact with all prospective hiring managers. A phone call to check on the status of your application and to ask follow-up questions can go a long way. But today, there are many other means to stay connected:<\/p>\n There are so many other options out there to stay connected and increase your chances of landing that dream sales position.<\/p>\n True that it sounds cliche, but I believe active listening plays a very large part in your sales career from the beginning. Listening to what\u2019s being said deeper than what\u2019s on the surface brings up questions that build rapport.<\/p>\n Having an excellent rapport through the interview process shows exemplary communication skills. You\u2019ll show the hiring manager that you will be able to ask hard questions. Hearing what the needs are and building a solution to those needs is the foundation of a sales career.<\/p>\n Being punctual throughout the interview process shows good time management skills, which are extremely important in sales. I recommend you show up early for interviews and submit any documents in a timely fashion to illustrate this skill.<\/p>\n In sales, being punctual and mindful of deadlines and timeframes are important keys to a successful career.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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The Sales Career Path<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Sales Beginner and Mid-Level Careers<\/h3>\n
Sales Development Rep (SDR)<\/h4>\n
Sales Development Representative Salary<\/h5>\n
<\/p>\n
Inside Sales Rep<\/h4>\n
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Inside Sales Rep Salary<\/h5>\n
<\/p>\n
Outside Sales Rep<\/h4>\n
Outside Sales Rep Salary<\/h5>\n
<\/p>\n
Account Manager<\/h4>\n
Account Manager Salary<\/h5>\n
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Sales Manager Careers<\/h3>\n
Account Executive (AE)<\/h4>\n
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Account Executive (AE) Salary<\/h5>\n
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Regional Sales Manager<\/h4>\n
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Regional Sales Manager Salary<\/h5>\n
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Sales Operations Manager<\/h4>\n
Sales Operations Manager Salary<\/h5>\n
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Sales Engineer<\/h4>\n
Sales Engineer Salary<\/h5>\n
<\/p>\n
Sales Executive Careers<\/h3>\n
Director of Sales<\/h4>\n
Director of Sales Salary<\/h5>\n
<\/p>\n
VP of Sales<\/h4>\n
VP of Sales Salary<\/h5>\n
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Chief Sales Officer<\/h4>\n
Chief Sales Officer Salary<\/h5>\n
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Is a sales career right for me?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Best Degree for a Sales Career<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\n
How to Start a Career in Sales<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
1. Figure out what type of career you want.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Build and use your network.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Know what roles to look for.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Do your research to learn about the industry.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Be ready to adapt.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Making a Career Change to Sales<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Focus on transferable skills.<\/h3>\n
Build a network.<\/h3>\n
Consider the salary.<\/h3>\n
Why Sales Is a Great Career<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
1. Sales drives company growth by bringing in customers.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Your income is based on effort.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. You gain in-demand skills.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Sales is good for working remotely.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
Best Practices for Finding a Sales Job<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
1. Maintain a positive mindset.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Take the initiative on research.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Stay connected with hiring managers.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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4. Be an active listener.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Cultivate good time management skills.<\/strong><\/h3>\n