notsoadultaboutthings

Account Manager

Valued Contributor

What's the REAL reason you got into sales and are staying in sales?

I see a lot of people in sales say they love it because they get to help people relieve a pain. If you're not driven by this, then you're not made for sales - is essentially what they're saying.

🤨🧐🤔

Now, I really wonder about those who say this. Reason being, I feel the notion 'sales is about helping people' is to make ourselves feel better about the long days, constant rejection, tiresome battles, and some downright tough times. Also, quite possibly, a marketing ploy to attract the Gen Zs and millennials who are a lot more philanthropic in nature and are not driven by $$$$.

Not to say that there aren't great days, but let's be honest, sales is one of the toughest jobs you can have. Quite frankly, its a badge of honor being in sales 😎.

So, I'm wondering how honest you get about yourself on why you're in sales and sticking with it. When you find yourself telling people why you love sales, are you being totally honest with yourself?

Personally, I love helping others and there's no better feeling than when someone says you've really helped them solve a problem. But there's a specific niche I want to be in to really feel the full rewards - its still a growing industry and not many opportunities available in my region at the moment. And being completely honest with myself, the reason I got into sales is because I saw the earning potential and I had some big short-term goals I needed to achieve. As well as a few other reasons, I chose to stay in sales because the $$$$ is fantastic and its helping me work towards some of my longer term goals now. When someone asks me why I'm in sales, I honestly respond the earnings are great!

What about you?

19

24 comments

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CuriousFox

WR Officer

8

🦊

Here's a thread to check out:

https://bravado.co/war-room/posts/why-sales

SalesStash

Opinionated

1

Strategic Account Executive

Thank you for providing a link @CuriousFox !

ryan_howard

Politicker

7

Director, Business Development

Money.

Diablo

Politicker

3

Sr. AE

It's been discussed before. Checkout some beautiful comments. It's 💰 first for me so do I believe for others as well here

https://bravado.co/war-room/posts/why-sales-3

notsoadultaboutthings

Catalyst

0

Account Manager

Ahh, tag isn’t work. User not found.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

3

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Fell into the role many years ago, discovered just how much money is in the role, and never budged.

I enjoy helping people, sure, but it's all about the comp.

Filth

Politicker

2

Live Filthy or Die Clean

I'm ok at a lot of things, but reading people and making them like me is what I've always been able to do naturally and best, and I found out that leveraging in sales I could create for me a good living, with less hours and manual labor then other fields. I also don't have any hard technical knowledge or skills so my options are limited (I can change my oil, tires, and use a screwdriver but that's about it). Also my teenage years as a pizza delivery guy getting stiffed left and right got me used to rejection and not letting it affect me too much.

I wasn't smart enough to follow the family Medical road and I didn't want to go to school for another 4 years while my debt accrued for law.

I talks real good so sales is the way. S.A.D.N.E.S.S.

TheOverTaker

Politicker

2

Senior Account Executive

if you say something besides money....sales isnt for you. I dont do this shit for my mental health

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

2

☕️

I graduated in 2010. There were no jobs. I had to get one, and ended up in sales.

Stayed for the money, staying for the money.

braintank

Politicker

1

Enterprise Account Executive

Money

SaaSyBee

Politicker

1

Founder

Like most jobs, reason #1 is money, followed by loving to talk.

FormerStartupJobHopper

Tycoon

1

AE

Yeah I mean, I do enjoy helping people. But, its money lol. when I was looking for other jobs with my liberal arts degree at 22? 35k-40k base. Some random SDR job I found without even really knowing what it was? 55k base 70k OTE. I thought I was rich. Then I realized 1)the earning potential for even early career AEs, and 2) I actually love the thrill of the hunt

funcoupons

WR Officer

1

👑

The fun coupons, duh.

Mobi85

Politicker

1

Regional Sales Manager

I stay because I really really really like helping people solve their problems..............

Nah, I just stay for the Money and lifestyle I have built by the Money I am making selling stuff.

GDO

Politicker

1

BDM

Mostly because I need to be able to meet interesting people. Second because of the freedom. Third is money

RedLightning

Politicker

1

Mid-Market AE

I like the strategic elements of it, but honestly just fell into it. I don't want to be a quota carrying rep forever, because the stress of the high's and lows is not how I want to be live my life when I have a family.

I'm going to stay in the overall field or at least something revenue driving long term for a variety of reasons. Professionally, there's always a role and there's huge potential. The day to day aspect is good because I can easily tell the impact I'm having on an org. Most other departments IMO just seem like a never ending task. Almost like cleaning. I'll always have to clean and now matter how effectivley I do it, it will always have to be done again. Something like accounting would be my literal hell.

DrSmallprint

Politicker

1

Account Executive

The reason I got into sales: Necessity

My dad died, I am from a poor family, needed money yesterday. Took a job selling roofs door to door a couple states away. Lived in a trailer with 6 other guys. Was brutal but it was a master class in life lessons.

The reason I stay: Money
I've made more money than 95% of people that I know. I have activity had to hide my income for years (drive a honda, live in an average house). I have been able to travel and experience things I never thought possible when I was young.
I get a strong satisfaction knowing I can do something so few people can do.

nemix

Politicker

1

SDR

I want a newer corvette

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Desperation
For money. Not knowing what else to do. Only real experience from this. It has provided me a way to run from shitty life situations 😅🙈

Gyro25

Notorious Answer

0

Account Executive

In order of priority:
-Money(Big surprise)
-Flexibility/WL balance
-Alignment with my self development, personal and financial goals
-Being comfortable af in sweatpants

Nice to haves:
-Putting away a good chunk of $ into savings, travel, experiencing all of life's adventures.

Also, for those looking to save as much as possible, I'd look into the FIRE subreddit on financial independence and saving.

sugardaddy

Politicker

0

🍬

I’m driving by money. Nothing more nothing less 🤝 — and you can make a shit lot in sales!

FinanceEngineer

Politicker

0

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

I left finance for a more strategic role where I am the first full-time employee and helped with everything. When we started to grow, I was put into sales, and the main accounts that I was able to create early on remained.

I'm staying in sales, for now, because I know the product and have been successful in selling it (and making money)

techsales

Politicker

0

Enterprise Account Executive

Why did I get into sales? - I got into grad school to be a social worker, realized I'd be making a tiny pay check while dealing with mental anguish. Decided to keep the mental anguish of sales but for potential higher income potential.

Why I stay? I've 10x my income in 8 years since I started in sales. I am not in it for "helping people"

NoGoodAtThis

Politicker

0

Sales rep

Copious amounts of student loan debt for a degree ill never use

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