Have you decided it’s time to break into sales? As a 20+ year sales vet, I applaud your decision!
Now the question becomes, what type of role should you start with?
I wrote this blog post to give you a thorough rundown of the leading entry level sales jobs.
I’ll help you cut through the fog and identify a role that matches your strengths and goals.
I’ll also recommend some handy tools and links to expand your research, including PayScale for salary info.
Each entry-level sales job has its pros and cons, so let’s figure out which one matches best for you.
What are the Best Entry Level Sales Jobs?
This article features all the best entry level sales jobs for you to consider.
Only you can decide what else is important, like job title, if there are benefits & health insurance, growth opportunities etc.
In most cases these jobs will have a defined sales process, clear sales goals, a pathway to success, possibly a sales territory, and sales team colleagues you can emulate.
Let’s get started with list!
1. Small Ticket Retail Sales (mall kiosks, shoes, etc.)
Retail is a great place to start. You’ll be talking to people all day and trying to make sales on the spot.
These gigs are the perfect entry point to learn essential sales skills like product knowledge, rapport building, and persuasion techniques.
Find a retailer that incentivizes performance, like commissions, bonuses or rewards.
2. Door-to-Door Sales Rep
The best part of door-to-door sales is the resilience you will rapidly build. People will say no, tell you to get lost, and even slam the door in your face!
Rejection is great way to level up, and you’ll see drastic improvements to your opening and conversation abilities, along with your presenting, persuasion, and closing skills.
Local and large companies alike use this model when selling B2C (business to consumer), and some companies specialize in providing outsourced door-to-door sales services.
3. Sales Development Rep (SDR)
Sales development representatives (SDRs) are all about lead generation.
You’ll identify prospects, reach out via phone and email, qualify, and set appointments for account executives.
Do this job well and you’ll be promoted sooner than you think. Good SDR’s tend to make great salespeople.
These jobs pay well and the solutions are usually more complex. Lots of tech companies hire and promote SDR’s.
To excel you’ll need good interpersonal skills, a thick skin, product knowledge, and the ability to lead prospects. Check out this article at Zoho for more info.
4. Call Center Sales Rep
These jobs are great due to the structured environment, which is perfect for beginners looking to sharpen their skills.
Your main responsibility is to close 1-call deals over the phone. You’ll be reaching out to potential customers and/or handling inbound inquiries.
This job takes strong communication skills, and resilience because rejection is a big part of the game.
One major perk is the extensive training you’ll receive. Employers will also provide scripts and processes to guide you through typical customer interactions.
Focus on performing your duties well, because call center environments often feature clear merit based promotion tracks.
5. Big Ticket Retail Sales (furniture, cars, etc.)
These roles are fun because you are selling to interested people – they walked in after all!
The challenge is that deal amounts are higher, so prospects will often take longer to decide, and may leave and return a few times.
Many big ticket retailers prefer to hire people with experience, but if you have a can-do attitude, many will take a chance and train you.
The key to in-person selling is connecting with people, being likeable and helpful, providing some space, yet being there to sell when the time is right.
6. Recruiter
Recruiting is how I cut my teeth as a salesperson, and it can be a ton of fun.
This job involves finding candidates for job orders that are run by more senior recruiters.
Often you will have access to resume databases and services like LinkedIn, where you can find candidates, approach them, and generate interest in open jobs.
Top recruiters make loads of money, so this is a profitable industry and you can start with no experience – learn more here.
7. Inside Sales Rep
This is a fantastic choice if you want more complexity and more pay when you close deals.
You’ll be selling via phone and email, and often will need multiple calls before you get to “yes”.
Inside sales solutions are often more complex, including software and consulting services (great industries to find startup jobs in).
These roles also involve the use of CRM systems, which are standard in most professional environments.
Often a bit of experience is preferred, but plenty of companies will train you.
What Companies Hire Beginners?
Great news – lots of companies across industries will hire and train a newbie sales representative.
The reason? Every business on the planet needs to sell, but hiring proven salespeople is expensive.
That should be music to your ears, because you will find plenty of entry level sales jobs, and one day may find yourself as a proven and expensive sales pro!
Here are just a few examples of different types of companies that will give you a shot:
- Business-to-consumer (B2C) companies – Think about the companies trying to sell to all of us. Home services, TV services, internet, subscriptions etc.
- Business-to-business (B2B) companies – Many businesses provide products & services to other businesses.
- Small & big-ticket retailers – Call or walk into retailers you like and ask if they pay commissions or bonuses.
- Telecommunications companies – Big telco’s are always looking for talent and they will train you for retail and call center gigs.
- Sales outsourcing agencies – These firms are hired by companies to drive leads and business. If you have talent, they will train you thoroughly.
- Recruiting firms – There are loads of recruiting firms that serve broad and niche industries and fill many job types. Expect solid training.
- Small and large businesses – All companies needs to sell stuff. Small companies offer less structure and more freedom to fail and learn, while larger businesses offer more established training and mentorship.
How To Find Your First Sales Job
Getting started in entry level sales jobs is easy, just consider a few questions and then start hunting.
- Step 1: Learn or earn? – Do you want to learn sales basics, or are you ready to focus on income potential (or both)? Figure out what a company or job will offer and ensure it matches your needs.
- Step 2: Inbound or outbound? – Do you want lots of reps (i.e. retail and B2C) or do you want to learn outbound and get your fear of rejection out of the way?
- Step 3: Is straight-commission an option? – If you are committed to success, don’t fear straight commission jobs. Decide if you need an hourly wage or salary.
- Step 4: Choose a few industries you are curious about – Do you like cars? Interested in tech? Passionate about green energy? Follow your curiosity and find companies in those industries.
- Step 5: Research companies and start applying – Check websites, job boards, join an online community, find sales leaders on LinkedIn and approach them directly. Go through corporate application systems, approach recruiters and get plugged in to job fairs and local events.
FAQs
How do I become a sales star quickly?
First you have to get started. Then, commit to a success framework and grow your skills.
What can I expect in a beginner role?
As a newbie, you are expected to learn how to present your products/services, and become comfortable connecting with prospects and customers.
You are also expected to learn the various sales processes and improve at them each day, while achieving activity based sales goals and eventually revenue targets.
Which industry is the sales “promised land”?
The tech sector is a goldmine for sales professionals, thanks to its rapid growth and constant evolution. Don’t sleep on other booming industries like healthcare and renewable energy.
Remember though, if the industry is hot the jobs will be highly competitive, so bring your A-game!
Where can I learn more about breaking into sales?
Check out this handy article on how to position yourself to grab your first gig from the wide range of entry level sales jobs out there.
Conclusion
Every job in this article is a viable option to get your start in the industry.
Consider if you want to sell tangible products or services.
Be honest about discipline. Will you work hard and stay focused at home? I recommend a team environment for beginners. It’s way more fun, and you’ll learn much faster.
So there you have it. All that’s left is to go find some open jobs!