How should I approach an offer to work as a salesman?

Question

I have recently been in communication with an american firm who will soon be attempting to introduce a certain product (I wouldn't like to say precisely what that product is) to the British market. I will say only that the product is in the sports and leisure field.

So far I have impressed the company with my natural understanding of the product and my understanding of how it might best be pitched to the British consumer. So much so that the company want me on board!

"Well that's great" I hear you say and your right. I'm very excited about it. The problem is that I have never worked in sales and have absolutely no idea what the next step should be.

I don't want to show my inexperience to the company I have so far impressed so well. I have no idea what kind of payments it would involve. Should I ask for a salary? Should I simply expect a cut from any sales I make? In either case how much do people in my position expect?

Any advice would be welcome! ty

Answer 1

First of all, don't come on like a salesman. People don't care about what you have to sale until they know you care. Be sure you are committed to the product and the company. Use the product to see if you just love it and the enthusiasm will show thru your sales. Focus on what you can do for the potential customer and it will show in your rewards. As for the salary and/or commission, ask what their policy is. Good luck and don't forget to keep our maker in your daily going's on(good or bad).

Answer 2

First of all, I've been in sales off and on for over 10 years and I'll share with you a few important questions to ask in the initial interview. Let's start with the salary ques. first. This job will either be all commission, salary and commission or salary and commission to start off with and then all commission. Regardless of what anyone says salary and commission is always preferable, especially if you've never done sales before. Another thing, if this is B2B sales (business to business) where you use your own car you need to find out if they pay for mileage, standard is about .20 (or more) per mile and if they give you an allowance for gas. It's extremely rare these days but sometimes a company will provide you with a car. Also, how long is the training and will you be paid for it and will someone go out with you in the field? If so for how long? Ask what is the quota because every company has one and they expect you to meet or exceed it within a certain time period. With some company's it's a couple of weeks, some a month maybe longer. Depends. If you don't meet these quotas they terminate you. Consequently there's a high turnover in the sales profession. This is how American company's operate.

Answer 3

Just be yourself.
Your natural understanding of the product and how it might best be pitched to the British consumer......is a plus in itself!
With your expertise, I would certainly ask what your salary/commission would be. I believe you would be a natural in that field.
Can you afford to take this position if the salary is low?
Should by any chance, they do not hire you....
It is their loss!! Not yours....
Expect......to know what can they do for you, while you will be
doing far more than just any person applying for that position.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

This in not very British but you need to sell yourself. Decide that you are going to either get the job or be thrown out. But keep the atmosphere comfortable and fun. Tell them why you want the job, then ask them if they will hire you and come up with an answer to their reasons for not hiring you on the spot. They want to be sure you can sell. If you can't sell yourself, you can't sell their product.

Answer 6

be aggresive when you are trying to sell something to anyone what you are really selling is yourself cause when you convence them you doing it from your body languge and your enthusiasim think about a carnival how do remember how well those carnival people tryed to get you to play there game the first told you about it showed you how easy it was then offered you a deal aproch this company and your boss the same way for both things yes ask about a salary or pay increase or bonus but I dont think a percentage is something your possition would get cause you didnt event it or own it or manage it your just advertising and selling it.

Answer 7

i would accept the pay that my confidence can back up. if i am able to move the product well, i would opt for 100% commision. if i dont feel so sure about the product, i would take a salary that would at least sustain my monthly expenditures. if your somewhere in the middle, ask for both salary and commision. see what they say.