Sales professionals educate clients on products and services, develop client relationships, complete sales, ensure continuous customer happiness, and do other responsibilities that directly influence a company’s income.
Working in this industry might assist you in developing transferrable skills such as communication and connection development.
According to the Wall Street Journal, there are currently over 700,000 open sales opportunities in the United States. And the demand for knowledgeable agents is only increasing. We’ll show you how to start a sales career and maximize your earnings.
However, not all of these sales roles are equally profitable since sales are one of those areas where pay discrepancies, working conditions, and duties may differ significantly. A clothes shop, for example, has little in common (in terms of income or otherwise) with someone working in tech or medical sales.
4 high-paying jobs in sales occupations
1. Real estate broker
What you’d do: The real estate profession entails far more than what you see on HGTV. You’ll be showing people beautiful properties. You’ll also need to become an expert in your market and manage appointments.
You’ll also need to conduct the occasional open house, commit to showings, meet with clients, build marketing plans for listings, assist with offer negotiations, and, most importantly, remain calm under pressure. But ultimately, this position is about completing sales.
Therefore, your charm, quick wit, and talent for determining a client’s demands will be your most fabulous friends in this capacity.
What you’d need: You’d need to be licensed in your state to practice real estate legally. This necessitates passing both state and national tests.
State education requirements vary, but most may be completed in a couple of weeks. You must attend a set number of classes before you may take the examinations. Find out how to become a real estate agent.
What you’d earn: The median annual pay for a real estate agent is US$73,423, but top-selling agents earn roughly US$98,700.
2. Commercial engineer
What you’d do: Sales engineers work with businesses to market difficult scientific and technological items. In other words, you must make technology appealing.
For this position, you must explain why a company or a customer would prefer your tool, equipment, or complex software application over the competition. For example, some sales engineers work for the product’s design and manufacturing organization, while others work for independent sales firms.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related subject is typically necessary. It would help if you were well-versed with the goods’ parts and functionalities and the scientific procedures that enable these items to function.
What you’d earn: The median annual salary for a real estate agent is around US$90,000, with top earners earning up to US$133,209.
3. Financial services sales representative
What you’d do: Ultimately, your objective is to offer financial products to businesses or individuals that will make them — and you — great money. Because financial services are such a broad phrase, you might be marketing to corporations and people in this profession.
You may be in the banking, securities, or highest-earning insurance industries. For example, you could be in charge of your clients’ checking accounts, loans, CDs, IRAs, credit cards, or even estate and retirement planning.
What you’d need: While entry-level employment needs a bachelor’s degree, an MBA can assist agents in moving to higher positions. You may be required to pass a license test if you sell securities or insurance.
What you’d earn: The average annual salary was US$64,770, but the top 10 percent made more than US$208,000.
4. Advertising sales manager
What you’d do: Sorry, you won’t be a “Mad Man” like Don Draper, sipping Old Fashions or taking 3-hour lunch breaks daily. Instead, advertising sales executives work in various industries, such as advertising agencies, radio, television, and Internet publishing. Because they must operate under duress to meet often lofty sales targets, competition in this field has become severe.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree is required for entry-level positions; degrees in marketing, communications, business, or — ideally — advertising can make you more marketable. Most of the training is done on the job, often with the help of an experienced sales agent or manager.
What you’d earn: The average annual salary for an ad sales executive is around US$60,000.
Final say
As natural-born salespeople, you understand the importance of a good lead. Consider acquiring a job in the same manner. Do you need assistance locating tips? You may communicate with recruiters, register with free job boards to receive job notifications in your mailbox, and more.
