Navigating the Graduate Sales Job Market
Entering the job market as a graduate can be exhilarating with all its opportunities and challenges. But, without the right preparation, approach and attitude, new jobseekers can end up feeling overwhelmed.
As a graduate recruitment agency, we have seen many cohorts of graduates come through our system and have a successful sales career. So, to celebrate graduation season, we have compiled some of our essential tips for navigating the wild world of graduate jobs. These tips target the sales industry more specifically, but they can be applicable to any disgruntled grad.
Understanding your Industry
In any sector, having knowledge on how companies are structured is important. It helps you understand what the roles you are applying to involve, therefore better preparing you for the application process.
In sales, for example, it’s important to know the difference between B2B (business to business) and B2C (business to consumer) sales. Each area demands a different skill set and a different personality, so focus your applications where you think you fit best.
Tailoring your CV
Your CV may be the first thing a company sees of you when you apply. So, it’s important that it accurately reflects your relevant skills. Relevant is a key word here. In a graduate sales role skills like professional communication, resilience, quick thinking and rapport-building will be attractive to employers.
A great way to understand what is important to the businesses in your sector is by reading job adverts. Go through top job boards like Milkround and Indeed, and jot down any competencies that come up again and again, and if it fits in with your skill set, add it to your CV.
Thoroughly Preparing for Interviews
In sales roles, interviews are more than just a chance for employers to ask candidates about their experience. In roles where your personality is at the forefront, interviews take on another role. They allow companies to see how outgoing, quick-thinking and professional a candidate is.
So, before you head to any sales interviews, it might be a good idea to practice your answers and see how naturally you speak. You may also be asked to role-play a sales call during the interview process, so prepare and have rebuttals ready for any objections you might be hit with.
Being Resilient and Persistent
Sales can be challenging, and as an SDR you will face lots of rejection. So, view any setbacks during your job search as opportunities to learn for your future career. Employers aren’t looking for people who have never faced issues, they are looking at how you handle it.
Persistence and a positive attitude are key skills needed in any graduate sales role, so flexing these skills during your job search can only be a good thing. You can also demonstrate these skills in your application with jobs during your studies, overcoming personal setbacks or even sporting and extra-curricular achievements.
Gaining Extra Skills
In an entry level role, experience and qualifications aren’t necessary. But they can help you to stand out in a pool of new grads. There is lots of training you can complete online, and you might be able to utilise resources from your university. On your CV or in an interview, it shows the employer that you truly have a passion for your industry. In sales, there is a lot of self-motivation required. So, if you have taken the initiative to learn about the industry on your own, it shows that sales isn’t just something you have “fallen into”.
Employers in the sales sector also value graduates who have worked in hospitality. Even if you haven’t got any experience cold-calling or generating leads, you may have some transferrable soft skills. So, keep grinding at your food service or retail job, you might be learning valuable things that will help you land your dream role.
Utilising Recruitment Agencies
Recruiters are a great resource if you’re unfamiliar with job searching. They can guide you through multi-stage interviews, answer your questions and reassure you that your worries and nerves are a normal part of the process. They can also point you in the right direction when it comes to applying for jobs, understanding your skill set and what employers are looking for.
There are also agencies specifically targeted to help new jobseekers. Graduate recruitment agencies, like Prime, are here to help grads like you kickstart your professional career. They can offer connections, interview and CV support and even training that you likely won’t find anywhere else. So, get in contact with recruiters and be receptive to their support. You truly have nothing to lose.
If you’re interested in a career in sales, upload your CV or apply to one of our vacancies on our website or LinkedIn. Our team of recruiters are ready to help you find your dream role.
