There are many misconceptions about who is and who isn’t suited for a job in sales. Some people believe that it’s the extroverted and the social who are most able to thrive in the profession, and that the introverted and reserved don’t stand a chance. In reality, there is no single personality “type” that has been shown to succeed in sales above and beyond others. In sales, there are high performing introverts, and low-performing extroverts as far as the eye can see.
But there are indicators that a person might be a great fit for sales which don’t have much to do with their extroversion or introversion. These factors are less about personality and more about taste and interests, but they can be a good predictor of someone’s likelihood of success in the fast-paced and competitive world of sales. But whether all of these signs apply to you, or whether it’s just one or two, you can be sure that your ability to succeed in sales lies in your own hands.
Here are six signs you’ll have a successful career in sales:
1. You’re interested in the business world
An interest in business isn’t a requirement for sales success, but it certainly does help. If you don’t care about how businesses works, then you’re unlikely to care much about bringing in new business, since an interest in your particular profession is usually a prerequisite for success. Of course, you don’t need to be reading the Wall Street Journal every morning, but it doesn’t hurt to be interested in companies, money, and how the art of commerce makes the world go ’round.
2. You have a tolerance for risk
If you can’t stand any type of risk or uncertainty, then you definitely shouldn’t work in sales. The job comes with lots of unknowns, and your income will fluctuate from one check to the next (though it will usually be higher than most other professions). But if a little risk is exciting for you, then you’re likely to find yourself enjoying the ups and downs, and will derive energy from the unknowns of the role. A little bit of risk can be great, especially when the upside is so high.
3. You’re motivated by money
Another important factor when it comes to sales success is a person’s level of financial motivation. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t care about money, then you’re unlikely to push yourself in the ways you have to in order to succeed in sales. Compensation is a huge part of the appeal of the profession, and those who don’t care that much about money (which is perfectly fine) are likely to throw their hands up in the air when the going gets tough rather than pushing through with their eye on the prize.
4. You like to challenge yourself
Similar to the above, if you don’t enjoy a challenge, then you’re unlikely to enjoy the day-to-day of working in sales. Sales is practically designed to push people out of their comfort zone, and those who want to show up at an office everyday and quietly do the same repetitive tasks are unlikely to enjoy the constant curveballs that sales can throw your way. On the flip side, those who appreciate being pushed past their comfort levels will love working in sales, because it forces you to improve every single day, and punishes you when you don’t.
5. You’re easily bored
If you’re looking for a job with minimum boredom, then sales is definitely the way to go. In sales, two days are rarely the same, and between the pressure to hit goals, the juggling of competing demands, and the ever-changing nature of the industry, you might find yourself overwhelmed at times, but you’re never going to find yourself feeling bored. There’s a reason why you never hear salespeople complain about boredom — in this profession, it doesn’t exist.
6. You like to have fun
While it’s true that lots of people like complain about the difficulties of sales and all of the demands that are put on the modern seller, at the end of the day, the job and the people who work in it love to have fun. Even the more serious sales reps appreciate the lighthearted culture that’s present on most sales floors, and there’s no doubt that overly uptight people aren’t always a great fit for the loose environment that pervades most sales teams. So if a fun work environment is something that’s important to you, then there’s a high likelihood that you’ll find yourself thriving in the fast-paced world of sales.
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