How to Get a Sales Job Without Experience
Looking to start a career in sales but don’t have any prior sales experience? We’re here to help! Landing a sales job without previous experience is absolutely achievable with the right strategy and tactics.
Here's are a few tips to get started on this journey:
1. Research Your Desired Roles and Industries
Before diving headfirst into the job market, take the time to research the types sales roles. Understanding the job responsibilities of each role and industry will not only help you narrow down your options, but also prepare you for what to expect. Whether it's software sales, medical device sales, or industrial equipment sales, knowing the landscape is essential.
One of the most common titles for career transitioners to target is a Sales Development Representative or Business Development Representative (SDR or BDR) role. This role is often associated with software sales and involves significant cold outreach. We suggest you start with this type of role.
2. Craft a Sales-Focused Resume
While you may lack direct sales experience, there are plenty of skills you can take from previous experiences that translate to sales. Focus on quantifiable achievements, such as exceeding sales targets in previous roles or demonstrating strong communication skills. Incorporating numbers and metrics can make your resume stand out to potential employers.
Need inspiration? Here are a few examples of topics you could use
Customer Service: Maintained a customer satisfaction rating of 95% through proactive communication and resolution of inquiries, contributing to increased customer loyalty and repeat business
Marketing: Executed a social media marketing campaign that achieved a 200% increase in website traffic and a 30% growth in online sales within a three-month period
Training and Development: “Designed and delivered training programs that resulted in a 50% decrease in employee turnover and a 40% improvement in overall team performance
What ever you background may be, there’s a way you can quantify your impact. This is key when applying for sales positions.
3. Build a Portfolio
If you take one thing away from this article, it should be this. Creating a portfolio is crucial if you don’t have previous sales experience.
Showcase your potential by creating a portfolio that demonstrates your sales skills. Use hypothetical scenarios to illustrate your understanding of sales strategies and techniques.
Record mock cold calls using tools like Skylar, draft sample cold emails, and outline how you would handle common objections. This tangible evidence of your skills and capabilities can make a compelling case to prospective employers.
Here’s an example of what a portfolio could look like (yours doesn’t have to be this long, but be sure to include as many examples as you can!)
We suggest you build this with PitchFolio.
4. Apply Widely and Persistently
In the initial stages of your job search, apply to as many relevant positions as possible. Just like in sales, job seeking is a numbers game.
Mentally prepare yourself to be rejected. The good news is that each rejection brings you one step closer to landing a new role. Treat each application as a learning experience and tweak your job search accordingly.
5. Reach Out Directly to Hiring Managers
The best salespeople don’t wait for opportunity to come to them, they seek out opportunity. You should be no different.
Use your sales skills to find the contact information for hiring managers and reach out to them directly. This shows that you take initiative and are proactive in communication. This can set you apart from other candidates.
After you apply to the job - try cold calling the hiring manager. LinkedIn often lists the name of the job poster. Use this to your advantage. When you call them, try pitching yourself. It could sound like this:
“Hi Bob - I saw that you’re hiring for an SDR on your team. I don’t have any previous sales experience, but I feel I’d be a great fit for the role. Have a second so I can tell you why?” and then pitch yourself!
If you can’t find their phone number, try sending them a message on LinkedIn with a link to your portfolio!
6. Network, Network, Network
LinkedIn is an incredibly useful tool. Connect with other people who landed a sales job without prior experience and ask for advice on how they did it. Networking opens up opportunities that aren’t otherwise advertised online.
Conclusion
While breaking into sales without prior experience may seem difficult at first glance, it's certainly possible with the right strategy and determination. Remember - perseverance and determination are your greatest assets on this journey. So, embrace the challenge and get those applications filled out!
For more in-depth tactics, check out our other blog post “How to Land an SDR Role in 2024”.