The Pros and Cons of Working in Sales: My Personal Experiences

TLDRDiscover the pros and cons of working in sales based on real-life experiences in Silicon Valley and a Y Combinator backed startup. Learn about the benefits of starting a sales career without prior experience, the potential for high commissions and salary, the fulfillment of helping people, the constant demand for good salespeople, and the challenges of responsibility, rejection, selling products you don't believe in, and varying job quality.

Key insights

📚Sales is a career that does not require a sales-specific degree or experience, making it an accessible option for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

💰Sales offers the potential for high commission and salary earnings, especially in technology sales at companies like Oracle and Microsoft.

🤝Sales is a rewarding profession for individuals who enjoy working with people, as it involves communication, problem-solving, and delivering value to customers.

🔎The demand for good salespeople is consistently high due to the need for human interaction in decision-making processes, making sales a stable career choice.

🔃Salespeople must deal with the responsibilities of meeting targets, handling rejection, selling products they may not believe in, and varying job quality.

Q&A

Do I need prior sales experience to start a career in sales?

No, sales is a career that does not require sales-specific experience or a degree. Many successful salespeople start without any prior sales background.

Can I earn a high income in sales?

Yes, sales offers high earning potential, particularly in technology sales. Companies like Oracle and Microsoft often provide base salaries and generous commissions for successful salespeople.

Is sales a rewarding career for individuals who enjoy working with people?

Yes, sales requires constant communication and problem-solving skills. Salespeople have the opportunity to help customers by delivering value through products and services.

Is there a constant demand for salespeople?

Yes, there is always a demand for good salespeople in various industries. Companies need sales professionals who can bring in revenue and generate business growth.

What are the challenges of working in sales?

Sales professionals face challenges such as dealing with rejection, meeting sales targets, selling products they may not believe in, and varying job quality depending on the company and industry.

Timestamped Summary

00:00The video discusses the pros and cons of working in sales based on personal experiences in Silicon Valley and a Y Combinator backed startup.

02:58Sales is a career that does not require prior sales experience, making it accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds.

03:53Sales offers the potential for high commission and salary earnings, particularly in technology sales.

04:57Sales is a rewarding profession for individuals who enjoy working with people, as it involves communication, problem-solving, and delivering value to customers.

05:59The demand for good salespeople is consistently high, as companies require professionals who can bring in revenue and generate business growth.

06:58Sales professionals face challenges such as dealing with rejection, meeting sales targets, selling products they may not believe in, and varying job quality depending on the company and industry.