Problem-solver, good listener, people person... sound like you? You might just rock a career in sales. Check out the infographic below and come visit us at blog.aftercollege.com for more info!

1. Making dollars and sense
of a career in sales:
W h a t ’s i t
$
l i ke t o b e
a
salesperson?
You might just rock
Problem-solver, a career in sales.
good listener, ...sound
people person... like you?
What does a
s a l e s p e rs o n d o ?
Network in person
and over the phone; Excel in customer
develop existing service
relationships
Report on progress to
Monitor
team members and
industry trends
managers
Pros Cons
+ Lots of growth and - Lots of rejection
learning opportunities - Tons of pressure
+ Flexible schedule - Flexible work schedule
+ The sense that you’re means you’re always
problem-solving and working
helping people
Types of salespeople
Inside sales:
Inside salespeople usually work in an office, communicate with clients
on the phone, and maintain a regular work schedule
Outside sales:
Outside salespeople tend to go out and meet clients in person,
manage their own appointments, and have flexible schedules
Sales representatives:
Are usually in charge or getting new business (sometimes called “hunting”),
and generally have targets for generating income
Account managers :
Are responsible for retaining current clients (sometimes called “farming”),
but can also have targets for bringing in new clients
How much can you make?
$53,300 $55,7 00
$50,800
$ $
$
$37,500 $38,600
$36,500
$ $
Wage after 5 years
Wage after 5 years
Wage after 5 years
$
Starting wage
Starting wage
Starting wage
Account Executive Outside Sales Rep Inside Sales Manager
S o u n d g o o d s o fa r ?
ow to get started
H ere’s h :
Step 1:
Start with a summer internship to test the waters
Become a sales intern at one of Nab a coveted spot at one of these
the companies with the largest top-rated internship programs:
internship programs in the country:
• Google
• Enterprise • MTV Networks
• IBM • GE
• Liberty Mutual or • Johnson & Johnson
• Penske • Cisco Systems
You can also find lots of opportunities by searching for “sales intern” on AfterCollege.com
h t t p: / /a c d c. m x/s a l e s i n t e r n
Step 2:
Stay in school!
All types of degrees can translate into sales, and technical knowledge
can be a huge advantage, so don’t shy away from math or computing
courses.
Some of the most common majors
applying for jobs in sales include:
Marketing Biological Sciences
Business Administration Business Management
Economics Political Science
Communication Psychology
English Accounting
Step 3:
Don’t forget to participate in extracurricular activities
They show you’ve got a keen sense of competition and good
communication skills.
Sports Leadership roles
Volunteering Intramurals
Networking groups Greek life
Volunteer work Clubs
Professional organizations Student government
Community involvement with church Sales internships
Step 4:
Identify the industries and companies you like.
Many large companies conduct campus visits where you can meet
recruiters and learn more about what they’re looking for.
Industry Ideas
When you think about it, salespeople make the world go ‘round.
Here is just a small selection of industries that employ salespeople.
Banking and Finance
Typical Entry Level Job Title:
Personal Banker, Mortgage Consultant, Financial Advisor
Big Names in the Industry:
J.P. Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs
Medical Devices
Typical Entry Level Job Title:
Associate Sales Consultant, Sales Representative
Big Names in the Industry:
Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories
Management Consulting
Typical Entry Level Job Title:
Associate Marketing Specialist, Account Manager
Big Names in the Industry:
Bain & Co, McKinsey & Co, Pricewaterhouse Coopers
Tech
Typical Entry Level Job Title:
Inside Sales Representative, Associate Sales Account Manager
Big Names in the Industry:
Intel, Google, Microsoft
or
C areer Opp tunities
You don't need a crystal ball to see into the future.
Start with an entry-level sales position and watch
these opportunities open up before you
Regional manager or
Sales manager or Director of Sales
Territory Development manager
(responsible for a team and their
numbers as well as your own)
Account or Business Development manager
(in charge of maintaining and
growing relationships)
t h e m o n ey
S how me !
These areas boast the
highest-paying sales jobs:
Farmington Hills, M I
Detroit, MI
Jersey City, NJ
Princeton, NJ
Palo Alto, CA Reston, VA
Sunnyvale, CA
San Jose, CA
West Palm Beach, FL
Learn more about careers in sales at b l og . af t e rc ol l e g e.c om
Sources:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2012/05/16/american-companies-with-the-most-internships-now/
http://www.glassdoor.com/blog/top-20-companies-hiring-interns/
http://career-advice.monster.com/job-search/career-assessment/inside-sales-or-outside-sales/article.aspx
http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/st_PTPsalestable0912_20100913.html
Source Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, 2011:
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm
Payscale.com
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575467963984089520.html
Account manager salaries:
http://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/account-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,1 5.htm
Business development manager salaries:
http://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/business-development-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,28.htm
Copyright AfterCollege 2013