Getting into sales/ account management?

Getting into sales/ account management?

Author
Discussion

mannginger

Original Poster:

9,482 posts

264 months

Friday 18th April 2003
quotequote all
I am about to graduate from uni with an honours degree in HRM. At some point during the course of the degree I decided I no longer have an interest in doing HR. I am however interested in getting into sales or account management.

I have had some experience but this is really limited to cold calling selling mobiles and the like. I really enjoyed getting the sale but found it difficult to convince people about some of the "offers" probably because even to my mind they sucked big time.

I am good at customer services and enjoy helping people out when they are stuck with something (this actually got me sacked from a previous sales job because I spent too long sorting out situations that were caused by a crap company.)

I reckon I am also pretty good at relationship bulding, be it with customers at the cafe I work at now - has proved useful with a TVR drive being offered etc or at university and in social situations.

My questions are:

1. Do you think that my trouble selling things cold will hamper me in a "real" sales force. (ie: not a call centre but in an account management situation)

2. If yes, is there a course or any books, literature etc available that can help me "get the sale"?

3. Is it difficult to get into sales without much previous experience?

4. Any general advice as to how to go about getting an account management type role? (eg any particular things to stress in my CV) - obviously team work and ability to work under pressure, but anything else to put weight on?

5. Do any of you have any positions for an about to graduate 23 year old who is very dedicated to any organisation he works for, works hard and well and is very mobile?

Cheers

Phil





bennno

12,716 posts

276 months

Friday 18th April 2003
quotequote all
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=35804&f=92&h=0

Good luck, I did the same after an architecture degree.

You need to think long and hard about why, and why you would be good and turn it in to a 'realistic' pitch for the first interview.

Ie was sacked not good to mention, built strong relationship & took ownership of problems both very positive.

Bennno

>> Edited by bennno on Friday 18th April 20:26

Bigbrowncow

83 posts

269 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2003
quotequote all
I've found SPIN Selling and Major Account Sales Strategy both by Neil Rackham to talk a lot of sense.