How do you get better sales job opportunities anyway? How does your former colleague, who always came in the middle of the pack, end up with a winning job at a growing company, making tons of cash?
Meanwhile, you’re still grinding it out at work, talking yourself into sticking it out. Hoping the new product release is something worth selling.
While you were secretly waiting to be discovered, waiting for someone to recruit you with an offer you can’t refuse, your buddy was out there hustling for a new position.
Here’s the cold hard truth. The best sales jobs don’t normally fall into people’s laps. You have to hustle and compete for them. And if you land one, you can change the direction of your career trajectory forever. They’re worth fighting for.
Here are seven tips to help you pick up the pace and land the sales job that’ll turbocharge your career.
#1. Make It Easy for People to Find You
Use your network. Tell everyone you know that you’re looking, what you do, and what you’re looking for.
Update your LinkedIn profile and make sure your contact information is public and visible, with the right keywords in your headline. And list a phone number with a professional voicemail message, not the one featuring your favorite music or your dog barking.
#2. Construct an Active Strategy
Put together a list of target companies, and stay close to your knowledge zone: your contacts, the companies you’ve recently competed against, the ones you met at trade shows or admire. The further you stray from your career capital, the harder it is to stand out.
Send a well-thought-out letter of introduction to the CEO or VP of Sales, and follow up with a phone call.
Then set daily action goals: talk to three hiring managers, set up two informational interviews a week, apply for three jobs online even if they aren’t the “perfect match.”
#3. Build Momentum and Build Your Job Search Pipeline
Research and build a targeted list, send an email or letter of introduction, then pick up the phone and start following up. You are, in fact, a sales professional. This is par for the course.
You know what to do! You are the new offering. Pitch yourself.
Meet people for lunch, drinks, breakfast, informational advice. Get out there and get in front of your target market.
#4. Focus on What Counts
Make sure your resume represents you well. You can write it yourself or hire a professional, but if it isn’t working hard for you, fire it.
Then employ strong follow-up skills: thank you notes, phone calls, honoring your commitments. Research, action, preparation, professionalism, and confidence.
#5. Take Action Today
Waiting is a deal killer. Never wait for tomorrow. Schedule time on your calendar to execute your job search strategy, and work the plan.
#6. Attitude Is the Name of the Game
Making excuses and speaking negatively about the job market, former employers, or even your experiences won’t bode well for a job search. Keep your spirits high, don’t take feedback personally, and press forward.
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
— Steve Jobs
#7. Just Because You “Know It” Doesn’t Mean You DO It
You may have read hundreds of articles on job search strategies, but it’s the fundamentals that keep you productive. Execute on them, and constantly ask yourself: if you “know it,” are you actually “doing it”?
Fill the Job Opportunity Pipeline
Executing a job search is a lot like prospecting for a big deal. Sit around waiting for something to happen, and you’ll have to settle for what rolls in.
If you find yourself unemployed, put your job search at the top of your priority list and kick your efforts into high gear. Immediately. Don’t wait until you’ve taken a few weeks off to get started.
If you’re currently working, it’s harder to make time for a full search. That’s okay. It’s hard for your competition too. Make it a priority and it can be done.
You’ll need to lean hard on your network, the right recruiters for your situation, and daily outreach to fill your pipeline with opportunities that warrant your attention.
Spend the Time Now
The more years you invest in your sales career, the more difficult it becomes to make major changes. So spend the required energy now, and position yourself for long-term sales success.
After all, you’re worth it.
