B2B sales

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OilBoy2008

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Manchester City
Has anybody got any experience working within this industry?

I worked in face to face sales before I went to University. I have just graduated with a specialist degree, but finding it hard to find the relevant roles that my degree and experience offers. Companies are offering a low salary and no training towards becoming chartered.

So I've looked at roles within business to business sales and the starting salary seems higher, with the potential for commission on top. I'm an energetic and presentable person, so thinking of a career change, even if it's in the short-term. I can't wait around for the right job to come along, I've got to start earning money again. Has anyone worked in this field or got any genuine advice?

Cheers.
 
OilBoy2008 said:
Has anybody got any experience working within this industry?

I worked in face to face sales before I went to University. I have just graduated with a specialist degree, but finding it hard to find the relevant roles that my degree and experience offers. Companies are offering a low salary and no training towards becoming chartered.

So I've looked at roles within business to business sales and the starting salary seems higher, with the potential for commission on top. I'm an energetic and presentable person, so thinking of a career change, even if it's in the short-term. I can't wait around for the right job to come along, I've got to start earning money again. Has anyone worked in this field or got any genuine advice?

Cheers.
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I have worked in B2B since i was 23 year old, im 31 years old now.

Been Account Manager/Corporate telemarketer for two of Uks biggest software providers.
 
Depends entirely on the industry. There's a rather big difference between working in paperclips and working in hotel distribution.
 
The roles I've been looking at have been business development for recruitment companies, and direct sales for businesses.
 
OilBoy2008 said:
Has anybody got any experience working within this industry?

I worked in face to face sales before I went to University. I have just graduated with a specialist degree, but finding it hard to find the relevant roles that my degree and experience offers. Companies are offering a low salary and no training towards becoming chartered.

So I've looked at roles within business to business sales and the starting salary seems higher, with the potential for commission on top. I'm an energetic and presentable person, so thinking of a career change, even if it's in the short-term. I can't wait around for the right job to come along, I've got to start earning money again. Has anyone worked in this field or got any genuine advice?

Cheers.
Click to expand...
What's your "specialist degree" in?
 
Today is my final day of 3 week's training for my new b2b job so start selling tomorrow.
 
OilBoy2008 said:
Has anybody got any experience working within this industry?

I worked in face to face sales before I went to University. I have just graduated with a specialist degree, but finding it hard to find the relevant roles that my degree and experience offers. Companies are offering a low salary and no training towards becoming chartered.

So I've looked at roles within business to business sales and the starting salary seems higher, with the potential for commission on top. I'm an energetic and presentable person, so thinking of a career change, even if it's in the short-term. I can't wait around for the right job to come along, I've got to start earning money again. Has anyone worked in this field or got any genuine advice?

Cheers.
Click to expand...
I can only speak for myself, but I spent 10 years working in this industry and I'd recommend you avoid it like the plague. Met some great people, but the way you are generally treated in these jobs is appalling, primarily because you are instantly replaceable, so they know they can treat you like shit and get away with it. I was lucky enough to get out, although it was partly because I took my last employer to court for treating their staff so badly. Unless you were one of the CEO's pet employees, which involved kissing his arse, there was never any chance of promotion. And I saw this at multiple companies. One of the major problems you will find is that once you've been doing this for a little while, your degree will suddenly essentially become meaningless and you'll only be able to find work in this sector. I got out at the age of 33 and ended up going on to get a degree and a phd and now I work in medical research. Walking out of that company/industry is the single best move I ever made in my career.
 
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I've been working in B2B sales for about 4 and a half years.

What I'd say is key is being able to fully enjoy the product you're selling. If you can't speak to your mates about what you're selling without any enthusiasm then how do you think you'll feel in 6 months time when you've said the same pitch thousands of times?

Also I'd say from working in two different companies that the bigger the company will probably look better on your CV however as @bluejon says you're instantly replaceable - there's a lot of people looking for similar roles. I was fortunate to find myself a job at a smaller company where I really enjoy talking about their products and I could see a clear line to a higher position within the business - within 2 years I became the sales manager which is what I do now. Still have to do a fair bit of work on the phone speaking to customers, mind.

I personally couldn't do recruitment, there are a lot of financial positives to it but most people I know who've dabbled in it have become burnt out from it within a year.
 
bluejon said:
I can only speak for myself, but I spent 10 years working in this industry and I'd recommend you avoid it like the plague. Met some great people, but the way you are generally treated in these jobs is appalling, primarily because you are instantly replaceable, so they know they can treat you like shit and get away with it. I was lucky enough to get out, although it was partly because I took my last employer to court for treating their staff so badly. Unless you were one of the CEO's pet employees, which involved kissing his arse, there was never any chance of promotion. And I saw this at multiple companies. One of the major problems you will find is that once you've been doing this for a little while, your degree will suddenly essentially become meaningless and you'll only be able to find work in this sector. I got out at the age of 33 and ended up going on to get a degree and a phd and now I work in medical research. Walking out of that company/industry is the single best move I ever made in my career.
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That's worrying for me as I'm the same age as you and I've done the reverse of what you have done.
I got a degree and got a job with it and stayed in the profession for 11 years.
Now I've moved completely away from it and moved to b2b sales.
I did apply for other roles (recruitment and managing a business) but was told that I didn't have the sales experience.
I think I would like to end up in recruitment in a few years but I'll see where it takes me.
The place I've just started at is a huge company so lots of opportunities for progression so I may end up staying for a long time.
 
Know your product in depth

Know your customers business and processes (in depth)

Man mark your opposite number and make sure that his bosses are man marked as well

adopt a consultative approach and don't assume that your the only person on the pitch
 
117 M34 said:
That's worrying for me as I'm the same age as you and I've done the reverse of what you have done.
I got a degree and got a job with it and stayed in the profession for 11 years.
Now I've moved completely away from it and moved to b2b sales.
I did apply for other roles (recruitment and managing a business) but was told that I didn't have the sales experience.
I think I would like to end up in recruitment in a few years but I'll see where it takes me.
The place I've just started at is a huge company so lots of opportunities for progression so I may end up staying for a long time.
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I think, to a certain extent, I was a victim of the crap companies I worked for. I've got many friends who still work in sales and they are more than happy with their jobs. I personally found it extremely repetitive and boring, but with the added problem that it tends to be fairly obvious if I think a boss is a dickhead. I was good at my job, worked in one place for 5 years, and there's no way they'd have kept me around for that long if I wasn't 'making my sales', but so glad I got out. As for recruitment, I spent 9 months doing that and got out. Again, might have been the company I was working for, but they were underhand and extremely immoral. Good luck in what you're doing though, and I hope it does work out for you.
 
OilBoy2008 said:
Building surveying
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In which case you're nuts for wanting to go into sales IMO. My advice would be to get into the sector I've operated in for 20 yrs - Social housing, lots of opportunities in this space and very good (secure) careers to be had. I operate as a consultant in this area (property) and it's been very good to me. DM me if you like
 
Nothing wrong with selling if - as said above- you believe in your company and your product. There’s a decent wedge to be earned too, if you’re successful.

Recruitment is not an area with high ethical standards, in my opinion. “Shysters” sums up a lot of operators in that field. Personally, I doubt it would end up burnishing your CV. Given your background, selling a more technical product or service might be a better match.
 
OilBoy2008 said:
Building surveying
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As above - go into a closely related field. As a serious suggestion I'd go into an estate agents and get a job, they have high turnover so you should get in no problem. It is sales but closer to your degree. Then just keep applying - the fact you are in something related and can demonstrate you can hold down a job will help. As a plan B with your degree you could get into commercial agency which is a million times better than selling houses.

If you do go into sales - what you are selling is a massive factor. Selling a Porsche is not difficult - if someone turns up at the garage the only issue is can they afford it? Selling second hand Renault's is difficult all day long.
 
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