entering a company at sales level promotion prospects ?

Question

Hi all,

I am aiming to get into work as a sales person...

Are there any genuine promotion oportunities ? how long do you have to be with the organisation to be promoted (in general) ?

I have an interview soon for a sales person how would I approach the subject of future promotion - or should I avoid it ??

any advice ?

thanks !

Hi thatnks for your answer hope you see this !.... It's retail sales (electronic shop)also how would I ask when they are looking for the person to start (or is this rude/forceful?) any other advice is appreciated thanks !!!

Answer 1

Never avoid the subject of future promotion any employer will be looking for staff who are keen to succeed and looking to forge a career.
You don't say what type of sales job you are being interviewed for but rule of thumb for any interview is to try and find out some facts about the company you want to be employed by . For example what products do they sell or manufacture .and who would be main competitor . Other areas I would be asking about is what training will be given both to learn the role and help to develop as an individual and be suitable for consideration for promotion.
The interview is your real chance to impress that you are the one for the job , many people don't even get as far as that so your application must have hit the spot .
Good luck at the interview.

Answer 2

In retail sales, your promotion prospects are somewhat limited unless you're working for a very large company. You could be promoted to Shift Manager, then Store Manager, then Area Manager, but unless it's a very large company posts like that will be few and far between.

One of the problems with retail sales in electronics is that it's a declining industry - for example in the UK, Dixons have closed many of their stores due to the fact that consumers are now buying more items online and less items instore. So, I think if you're viewing this job as something to do for a couple of years to tide you over then cool, but I don't think this is your best bet for a long-term career.

Please ignore the guy who said that the most important thing for you is understanding your remuneration package. I'm sure you're already aware, but you should never, ever discuss salary at a first interview, and you only should at a second if they bring it up first.

Answer 3

At this stage I think you should focus on understanding your remuneration package .. a lot of Sales jobs pay really low Basic Salary with most of your earnings coming from Commission ..

Often the Commission rates are 'staggered' (so you get variable percentage on different lines of goods) .. needless to say, selling Store Credit cards, Extended Warranties and "Interest free" loans usually brings in the most :-)

As for promotion .. well you could ask if the Company has a policy of internal promotion .. however in a lot of places Sales can be a bit of a dead end .. if you are a good salesman you will be kept in sales - if not you get fired ..