Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below i guess it would be called corporate sales? is it true that basically all you do is take clients out to eat and do whatever while trying to get them to buy your companies product? or that you only have to work about 20 hours a week and get an expense account? i met a guy thats been in paper sales for one year right after college and he says hes making 130k a year, how good is this field? what should i major in in college to do this?
is anyone here in sales?
- Thread starter Burnboy
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huntmaster
New member
right now i am in what I call sales---- I am trying to get a job---trying to sell myself and what I can do
satanic goatslayer
New member
I sell death certificates.
Burnboy said:
You can make a lot of money in sales. And if you are good at it, the jobs are always there. You can sell anything: cars, houses, computers, widgets, etc.
Sales jobs are otugh - it;s feast or famine, and given the current economy, it's mostly famine.
As for your buddy, he;s full of shit. No one is making $130K for working 20 hours a week.
I'm not in sales. I am in litigation management/insurance outsourcing.
bigschweeler
New member
The sales guys at my work make serious cash. If they are selling new clients and getting the high commissions for the first year and have an established client base, they'll make $300 - $400K a year. However this takes time, and it isn't unusual for them to be out of the office travelling around the country five days a week only seeing their families on the weekends. I'm in operations and do OK, but I'll never see the kind of jack these guys are hauling in. But I don't like to travel all that much, and would rather spend my time at home with my wife. Not to mention that all that travel severely throws off your diet and workout schedule.
Re: Re: Re: is anyone here in sales?
Sales types? Well, lucky you then. My staff avergaes $170K but they work their balls off for it. 80-90 hours a week. (We are not in sales).
rudedawg said:
Sales types? Well, lucky you then. My staff avergaes $170K but they work their balls off for it. 80-90 hours a week. (We are not in sales).
VicTusDeuS
New member
Im in sales. My boss is always out trying to please clients..If you ask me I dont think all the stress he goes through is worth the $500,000.00 he makes a year
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kronk
Guest
Re: Re: Re: is anyone here in sales?
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kronk
Guest
Re: Re: Re: is anyone here in sales?
I agree. There are week where I dont really "work" more than 20-30 hours a week. Other weeks, however, I work 40-50 hours a week. It really depends. I actually make more than $130k a year, however, I work in software. I got into software sales right out of law school. I realized that I could make much more selling software than practicing law. Its all in what you sell. Yes, I travel, but not all that much. I spend more time building relationships with prospects and clients. Half of that is taking them out to lunches and dinners, golf, etc. The other half is working in the boardroom.
Thats another reason why its so hard to get out of this business, the money is outstanding, but the hours are better. It leaves me much more time to train and be with my family.
rudedawg said:
I agree. There are week where I dont really "work" more than 20-30 hours a week. Other weeks, however, I work 40-50 hours a week. It really depends. I actually make more than $130k a year, however, I work in software. I got into software sales right out of law school. I realized that I could make much more selling software than practicing law. Its all in what you sell. Yes, I travel, but not all that much. I spend more time building relationships with prospects and clients. Half of that is taking them out to lunches and dinners, golf, etc. The other half is working in the boardroom.
Thats another reason why its so hard to get out of this business, the money is outstanding, but the hours are better. It leaves me much more time to train and be with my family.
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the Ol' canadian dream ? T still have money at 55 lol Seriously here 100k is something impossible for a freshly graduated. Also 100k a year is a lot. I dont think I will ever make that much money with my current job.
kingjohn said:
the Ol' canadian dream ? T still have money at 55 lol Seriously here 100k is something impossible for a freshly graduated. Also 100k a year is a lot. I dont think I will ever make that much money with my current job.
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I hear you dawg. A lot of people are full of shit. There are few people on this board that I would pay a dime to work with me.
Between my day job, my book and my educational consulting business...let's just say I don't have to scrape by on a few hundred thousand anymore...I am looking to close on a house soon and you're welcome anytime. (After the renovation, anyway)
But to do what I do, I work 100-110 hour weeks most of the time. (yes, 18 a day, 7 days a week). I'm sure you know the feeling. Over the last few years I have gotten to know people in many lines of business, and a lot of these posts are just total horseshit.
Consider that only 6% of American *houesholds* earn $100K per year. For every salesperson that makes $200K a year, there are 50 that are making $33K. I just can't believe all the successful ones are on EF.
To those of you considering this career, I say good luck. But don't believe the hype.
rudedawg said:
Matt we have been through this before I think.
I do consider myself lucky.
I hear you dawg. A lot of people are full of shit. There are few people on this board that I would pay a dime to work with me.
Between my day job, my book and my educational consulting business...let's just say I don't have to scrape by on a few hundred thousand anymore...I am looking to close on a house soon and you're welcome anytime. (After the renovation, anyway)
But to do what I do, I work 100-110 hour weeks most of the time. (yes, 18 a day, 7 days a week). I'm sure you know the feeling. Over the last few years I have gotten to know people in many lines of business, and a lot of these posts are just total horseshit.
Consider that only 6% of American *houesholds* earn $100K per year. For every salesperson that makes $200K a year, there are 50 that are making $33K. I just can't believe all the successful ones are on EF.
To those of you considering this career, I say good luck. But don't believe the hype.
rudedawg
New member
Re: Re: Re: Re: is anyone here in sales?
Rarely do I work more than 20 or 30 hours. I mean where I am actually working.
I have an insurance agency and the headaches involved with health insurance in the US right now make we want to go to something different, but the money is too good. Not too many opportunities that I could walk in and make at least 6 figures, although I would still have all my residuals paying me whether I was working them or not. Of course they will go bye bye in a hurry if I don't work them.
Also I work from my house, which allows me to pick my 2 sons up every day and let's me take them to all their practices which I am the coach so I don't have to worry about commute time to get them to the practice. Oldest son's practice will start in 1 hour.
kronk said:
Rarely do I work more than 20 or 30 hours. I mean where I am actually working.
I have an insurance agency and the headaches involved with health insurance in the US right now make we want to go to something different, but the money is too good. Not too many opportunities that I could walk in and make at least 6 figures, although I would still have all my residuals paying me whether I was working them or not. Of course they will go bye bye in a hurry if I don't work them.
Also I work from my house, which allows me to pick my 2 sons up every day and let's me take them to all their practices which I am the coach so I don't have to worry about commute time to get them to the practice. Oldest son's practice will start in 1 hour.
This is an interesting thread. I have been looking into segueing my career into sales. I have been in PR and marketing on the finnacial side for 4 years now. Does anyone know of any good opportunities in the Denver area? My freinds that are in sales now do make a great income, however I see them work their asses off. This is what I am lookign for. Suggestions? Ideas?
bigschweeler
New member
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: is anyone here in sales?
I've always wondered this too. I've seen polls on this subject in the past and I'm always suprised there are that many people making over 100K. It certainly is possible, but I'm sure part of it is bravado or misrepresentation.
Most people have to work their asses off to earn that much, and like you say putting in 100-110 hours a week, if it works for you from a lifestyle standpoint, is your choice.
I'm in operations and it's taken me a number of promotions and hard work, being on call 24/7, working nights, weekends, whatever it takes to get me where I am today. I do better than average financially I'd say, and with incentives can make over 100K which I am happy with. From a lifestyle standpoint I wouldn't want to work 100-110 hours per week because it just wouldn't make me happy.
I still have a 10 year plan or so to save, save, save and then get the hell out of corporate America which is unfulfilling to me. I know some people love it and it is a sign of success and prestige. Unfortunately how much you earn in this country is often equivalent to how successful you are, and even how good a person you are. I'd still rather be a poor, but happy student or artist, than a rich, sad, corrupt businessman.
MattTheSkywalker said:
I've always wondered this too. I've seen polls on this subject in the past and I'm always suprised there are that many people making over 100K. It certainly is possible, but I'm sure part of it is bravado or misrepresentation.
Most people have to work their asses off to earn that much, and like you say putting in 100-110 hours a week, if it works for you from a lifestyle standpoint, is your choice.
I'm in operations and it's taken me a number of promotions and hard work, being on call 24/7, working nights, weekends, whatever it takes to get me where I am today. I do better than average financially I'd say, and with incentives can make over 100K which I am happy with. From a lifestyle standpoint I wouldn't want to work 100-110 hours per week because it just wouldn't make me happy.
I still have a 10 year plan or so to save, save, save and then get the hell out of corporate America which is unfulfilling to me. I know some people love it and it is a sign of success and prestige. Unfortunately how much you earn in this country is often equivalent to how successful you are, and even how good a person you are. I'd still rather be a poor, but happy student or artist, than a rich, sad, corrupt businessman.
K
kronk
Guest
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: is anyone here in sales?
Well, I get up and train early in the day. When I travel, I make sure the hotel I stay in always has a gym, or they are close to a 24 fitness that I can use by paying daily.
I always carry protien with me ALWAYS. When I travel, all my supps and protien come with me. Last trip to San Fran I brought a 7lb container of Whey with me.
I pre-make all my food the night before. I will cook a shitload of chicken, rice, etc. and seperate them in those ziplock tupperware things. I always have bars and mrps with me as well. Keep them in the car, so I never am without one.
Basically, I always make time for training, to me, thats one of the benifits of software.
kingjohn said:
Well, I get up and train early in the day. When I travel, I make sure the hotel I stay in always has a gym, or they are close to a 24 fitness that I can use by paying daily.
I always carry protien with me ALWAYS. When I travel, all my supps and protien come with me. Last trip to San Fran I brought a 7lb container of Whey with me.
I pre-make all my food the night before. I will cook a shitload of chicken, rice, etc. and seperate them in those ziplock tupperware things. I always have bars and mrps with me as well. Keep them in the car, so I never am without one.
Basically, I always make time for training, to me, thats one of the benifits of software.
Norman Bates
New member
I was working for a month in a company that was importing machines from the US and distributing them in Europe.
I was talking with the chief salesman for a few minutes and i heard that they are making really a lot if ur good in it.
Also they have special training seminars for their salesman so i guess it can be learned, at least up to a certain degree.
My mom was working some time in insurances.
They got training seminars,too and according to her those techniques worked most time.
I was talking with the chief salesman for a few minutes and i heard that they are making really a lot if ur good in it.
Also they have special training seminars for their salesman so i guess it can be learned, at least up to a certain degree.
My mom was working some time in insurances.
They got training seminars,too and according to her those techniques worked most time.
K
kronk
Guest
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Good post bro. One thing that I would add to this is that in Software Sales, if you are not making well over $100,000 you are truly in the minority. Want proof? Go to Monster.com and look up Software Sales positions. Most positions (with experience), have starting salaries at the minimum of $80k to $100k (that the min), and with comp plans, you are easy at $150k to $200k.
There are for sure a lot of salespeople out there that don't make any money. Sales people are a dime a dozen, lots of them barley make minimum wage. However, software sales is still the exception, and if you are a high level software sales person, you are making at least $250k +.
That's sweet about your business, book and everything else Matt. You truly are an intelligent, educated, brilliant guy. I mean that! I agree with everything that you said as well, including telling people to not believe the hype. However, I will say to anyone that is "good" at sales, do everything you can to get into selling software. You can make a couple hundred thousand a year, doing what you love to do...talking.
MattTheSkywalker said:
Good post bro. One thing that I would add to this is that in Software Sales, if you are not making well over $100,000 you are truly in the minority. Want proof? Go to Monster.com and look up Software Sales positions. Most positions (with experience), have starting salaries at the minimum of $80k to $100k (that the min), and with comp plans, you are easy at $150k to $200k.
There are for sure a lot of salespeople out there that don't make any money. Sales people are a dime a dozen, lots of them barley make minimum wage. However, software sales is still the exception, and if you are a high level software sales person, you are making at least $250k +.
That's sweet about your business, book and everything else Matt. You truly are an intelligent, educated, brilliant guy. I mean that! I agree with everything that you said as well, including telling people to not believe the hype. However, I will say to anyone that is "good" at sales, do everything you can to get into selling software. You can make a couple hundred thousand a year, doing what you love to do...talking.
K
kronk
Guest
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manny78 said:
I am getting into sales and advising myself because of the money. I am going to do financial advising and planning. The top guy where I am going made 1.5 million last yr, most guys who have been doing it at least 3 yrs are breaking 200,000 a yr easy. It is definitely not easy, especially at first. I will also have to get series 7, series 66, and series 1 licenses. You definitely have to bust your ass for a while and build up a clientele. I have an mba and am getting CPA, but straight accouting or finance doesn't pay big dollars. If I don't like it, I am going to go into investment banking, good dollars there also. Good luck to all!!
Taps
New member
These guys are dead on with thier saleries and hours worked.
I basically do corporate sales stuff for a large financial institution. Even though I'm super low on the totem-pole, I still make around 30K/year working half time.
Kronk, what kind of educational background do you have? (Sorry if you've already mentioned it -- I'm half asleep right now, lol). I'm just about finished an Information Systems degree and software sales is something I'm interested in getting into....
I basically do corporate sales stuff for a large financial institution. Even though I'm super low on the totem-pole, I still make around 30K/year working half time.
Kronk, what kind of educational background do you have? (Sorry if you've already mentioned it -- I'm half asleep right now, lol). I'm just about finished an Information Systems degree and software sales is something I'm interested in getting into....
Summer Bunny
New member
I work directly with alot of orthopedic sales reps and let me tell you they can get pushy and sneaky b/c its a competetive field out their. sure they do make good money why else would they want to stick around in that job and kiss doctors asses all the time. they get commission off of everything the doctors uses.
but when it comes down to family life they will tell you that they have just about no family life (in orthopedic sales) b/c the doctors are always calling you up to come assist them in cases all hours of the night.
experience? humm i don't think many of them are college grads but they do have some sort of hospital background, such as buying or techs.
i think it would be a good field to get into if your a real pushy and they type of person that doesn't back down.
but when it comes down to family life they will tell you that they have just about no family life (in orthopedic sales) b/c the doctors are always calling you up to come assist them in cases all hours of the night.
experience? humm i don't think many of them are college grads but they do have some sort of hospital background, such as buying or techs.
i think it would be a good field to get into if your a real pushy and they type of person that doesn't back down.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: is anyone here in sales?
It's killing my liefstyle bro. I plan my fun like 3 weeks in advance. Like for example, I am going to the Final Four this weekend. I had to move 100 things around on my schedule to get the time off.
I left work at 12:30 last night, and surpirse, I am back now.
All the other points are true about status and all that shit. I get invited to so much crap, never go. I would just prefer to have some time to myself.
bigschweeler said:
It's killing my liefstyle bro. I plan my fun like 3 weeks in advance. Like for example, I am going to the Final Four this weekend. I had to move 100 things around on my schedule to get the time off.
I left work at 12:30 last night, and surpirse, I am back now.
All the other points are true about status and all that shit. I get invited to so much crap, never go. I would just prefer to have some time to myself.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: is anyone here in sales?
I did IT work for a while, when there was actually a demand dfor Cisco people. Salespeople made a lot of money, and if you can sell shit, you'll always have a job, but the overwhelming majority of them flounder. Good luck.
kronk said:
I did IT work for a while, when there was actually a demand dfor Cisco people. Salespeople made a lot of money, and if you can sell shit, you'll always have a job, but the overwhelming majority of them flounder. Good luck.
K
kronk
Guest
Taps said:
I have a BA in Speech Communications and a Law Degree as well.
You IS degree should help a lot, actually if you can get into pre-sales support you will do well as well as a Sales Engineer. If not, just get your foot in the door somewhere. Once your in the game, you will always have a job.
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I respect your lifestyle but this is why I prefer working 35-40 hours/week and make 50000$ than 100 hours at 130k. Also the more I read this thread the more I'm wondering why do people waste their time studying in other fields like science, law......
MattTheSkywalker said:
I respect your lifestyle but this is why I prefer working 35-40 hours/week and make 50000$ than 100 hours at 130k. Also the more I read this thread the more I'm wondering why do people waste their time studying in other fields like science, law......
bigschweeler
New member
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: is anyone here in sales?
That's the trade off. For me, it just isn't worth it, but that's my choice. Perhaps you will make a change if it is killing your lifestyle. I'd be worried about burnout, but if you can at least work in a couple of vacations a year, you may be able to carry on.
MattTheSkywalker said:
That's the trade off. For me, it just isn't worth it, but that's my choice. Perhaps you will make a change if it is killing your lifestyle. I'd be worried about burnout, but if you can at least work in a couple of vacations a year, you may be able to carry on.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: is anyone here in sales?
Manny,
To be fair, I'm not at $130K. I did make that in a day once...well actually it was $125K.
But I hear you - I often wonder if feeling this tired all the time is worth it. I womder if spending Saturdays and most Sundays doing business related shit is worth it.
I wonder, when my only escape is a movie on a weekend, if that is worth it. when i have to plan my fun a month in advance - is that worth it? I try to balance it...like this weekend I am going to the NCAA Final Four. The tickets were expensive, but, that's why I work.
So when I do have a minute, I try to go all out.
manny78 said:
Manny,
To be fair, I'm not at $130K. I did make that in a day once...well actually it was $125K.
But I hear you - I often wonder if feeling this tired all the time is worth it. I womder if spending Saturdays and most Sundays doing business related shit is worth it.
I wonder, when my only escape is a movie on a weekend, if that is worth it. when i have to plan my fun a month in advance - is that worth it? I try to balance it...like this weekend I am going to the NCAA Final Four. The tickets were expensive, but, that's why I work.
So when I do have a minute, I try to go all out.
rudedawg
New member
Burnboy said:
You don't need college to be in sales.
Depending on what line of sales you want to get into then that is what you would focus on in college. A lot of the corporations, especially the companies that are offering salary + commish, instead of straight commish, have a prerequisite of a degree.
Check out the help wanted ads and stuff and see what the requirements are for the type of sales job you want to get into.
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