There are many benefits to working in sales, but it’s certainly not a job for everybody. Switching careers can be a big decision, so it’s important to do a great deal of research before pursuing a career in sales. There are a variety of benefits and drawbacks to becoming a salesperson, and you should be aware of these tradeoffs before committing to this profession.
Salary
There’s a great deal of money to be made in sales, so it’s no surprise that people are so attracted to jobs in this field. As a salesperson who earns commission, the amount you take home each week is based solely on your own performance. Making a sale directly generates income, so there are usually no limits to your potential earnings.
Commission can, however, be a double-edged sword. Making commission means you’ll have to be performing at your peak during each and every sales call. If you’re feeling sick or just “not in the zone,” that will directly impact your paycheck, whereas in other salary-based jobs, you’d likely be making the same amount of money.
Security
To achieve job security as a salesperson, you’ll need to be at the top of your game each day. Your employer needs you to generate sales to make a profit, so you may need to meet mandatory quotas or goals. Consistently poor performance doesn’t just mean taking home a little less pay each week; it could mean being let go completely.
There can be a lot of competition for sales jobs, and it can be difficult to get your foot in the door of a well-paying position. Even once you’ve received a sales job, you’ll have to consistently outshine your competitors or risk being replaced. Some people want a job where they can work hard for the first five years and take it easy once they’ve reached a level of seniority; this just isn’t the case with a sales position.
On a positive note, sales jobs flourish in any type of economy. Because salespeople directly bring in money for their companies, it’s easy to see on a weekly basis just how valuable they are.
Time
Depending on the type of company you’re with, it may not matter how long it takes to meet your sales quotas. However, it is important to realize that sales are very much driven by what is convenient for the consumer, so you may have a hectic schedule that makes accommodations for your potential customers.
