$ Some of the most common majors applying for jobs in sales include: Step 3: Industry Ideas Cons Step 1: Step 2: Nab a coveted spot at one of these top-rated internship programs: • Google • MTV Networks • GE • Johnson & Johnson • Cisco Systems ...sound like you? Network in person and over the phone; develop existing relationships Excel in customer service Monitor industry trends Report on progress to team members and managers Pros + Lots of growth and learning opportunities + Flexible schedule + The sense that you’re problem-solving and helping people - Lots of rejection - Tons of pressure - Flexible work schedule means you’re always working 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 Become a sales intern at one of the companies with the largest internship programs in the country: • Enterprise • IBM • Liberty Mutual • Penske How much can you make? 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 Start with a summer internship to test the waters You can also find lots of opportunities by searching for “sales intern” on AfterCollege.com 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_KO0,15.htm Business development manager salaries: http://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/business-development-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,28.htm 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. Biological Sciences Business Management Political Science Psychology Accounting Marketing Business Administration Economics Communication English Don’t forget to participate in extracurricular activities They show you’ve got a keen sense of competition and good communication skills. Sports Volunteering Networking groups Volunteer work Professional organizations Community involvement with church 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. These areas boast the highest-paying sales jobs: 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 Leadership roles Intramurals Greek life Clubs Student government Sales internships Regional manager or Director of Sales Sales manager or 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) http://acdc.mx/salesintern You might just rock a career in sales. Making dollars and sense of a career in sales: Problem-solver, good listener, people person... or Step 4: Account Executive $ $ Starting wage $37,500 Wage after 5 years $53,300 Outside Sales Rep $ $ Starting wage Wage after 5 years $38,600 $50,800 Inside Sales Manager $ $ Starting wage Wage after 5 years $36,500 $55,700 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 W h a t ’ s i t li k e to b e a s a l e s p e r s o n ? W h a t d o e s a s a l e s p e r s o n d o ? S o u n d g o o d s o f a r ? H e r e ’ s h o w t o g e t s ta r t e d : C a r e e r O p p o r t u n i t i e s S h o w m e t h e m o n e y ! Jersey City, NJ Princeton, NJ West Palm Beach, FL Reston, V A Palo Alto, CA Sunnyvale, CA San Jose, CA Farmington Hills, M I Detroit, M I Learn more about careers in sales at blog.aftercollege.com Copyright AfterCollege 2013