The Official "Unemployed" Thread

[red baron]

Congrats...

sales is tough. I can't/don't want to do it.

Good luck.

It's not for everyone, but the rewards (if you're good) can be very sweet.

Best of luck to you fastwin

[fastwin]

Thanks folks. I appreciate the kind comments. I know in this "environment" you have to re-invent yourself. It's hard for old dogs to learn new tricks.

But my last job in the criminal justice system had topped out. Without a law degree there was nowhere to go unless a new judge got elected and picked you to be their court admin. It was a political appointment so if your judge lost their next election you were out the door too. Tough political business.

This is a whole new world for me. I appreciate my buddy giving me a chance. He's a lot more excited than I am. I'll take it a day at a time and try to learn the bizness. But I just don't see me as a salesman. I'm with Nate. But at this point I have no choice. I am tired of opportunity after opportunity falling on it's face. Old farts like me are the ones they get rid of first not the ones they hire back first.

Oh well, back into the morning rush hour craziness!

[Bick]

Congrats, FW.

No full time employment for me yet, but am on orders for a couple more weeks.  It helps.

[Howie]

Your buddy is probably not taking that gig of a chance, I'm sure he knows his decision will pay off. 

CONGRATS

[muskrat]

Congrats Fastwin. 

Sales is both scary and fun.  I've been doing it for 16 years and realized that it's nothing more than a relationship business.  If you can connect you can often make the sale but if you're pushy and pushing a product they don't need/want then you're cooked, find another target.  I consider sales like dating.  The more NO's  you get the closer you are to the YES.

[RAT900]

always remember

Old age and treachery will beat youth and skill any time

[ducpainter]

always remember

Old age and treachery will beat youth and skill any time

[RAT900]

Nate...I think it is half the reason I am still employed...

I do effective on the job skills-transfer of treachery

to all these sales teams I work with on projects

they're soooo....ummm.....innocent until I get them

[ducpainter]

Nate...I think it is half the reason I am still employed...

I do effective on the job skills-transfer of treachery

to all these sales teams I work with on projects

they're soooo....ummm.....innocent until I get them

innocent?

I think it's your diplomacy that's kept your job.

[ZLTFUL]

For some reason...Rat and diplomacy seem to be a dichotomy...

[ducpainter]

For some reason...Rat and diplomacy seem to be a dichotomy...

perspective...

I could understand if you said that about me. 

[RAT900]

perspective...

I could understand if you said that about me. 

or you can see it as I do....diplomacy is a mere wrench

found in the greater tool box of treachery

[ducpainter]

or you can see it as I do....diplomacy is a mere wrench

found in the greater tool box of treachery

hmmm...

another perspective.

[fastwin]

Good stuff!

Yeah, I'm not a salesman but I think I can focus on the relationship part of the deal and helping them take care of their needs. Everyone at the company has lots of clients that they have had for years. The clients trust them and the service department kicks ass and goes 110% which wins everyone huge brownie points. Apparently they may loose a sale here and there to a cheaper bid but those folks seem to make the beast with two backs everything up and the customer calls my friend's company to come fix it. Which they do ASAP and they eventually win over the whole account because of the rocking 24/7 service. No matter what the business it's the after sale service/maintenance that keeps that account open and the money flowing.

I don't know how I will do but my friend's company seems to be doing everything right. I like their work ethic and the way they take care of clients. Everyone is on board with the same mind set. The future looks bright for them... hopefully this old dog can learn new tricks and help. 

[hbliam]

I've been in sales for almost twenty years. It's a great gig. I took a regular job a few years back but still keep my hand in the sales side as it's easy money. A few things I learned. Most are basic but the basics are what work. You would be surprised how may salesman don't do the basics.

-Never lie. If you don't know something tell them you will find out. Conversely, know more about what you are selling (and the competing product) then anyone.
-Under promise, over deliver.
-Always be early. Five to ten minutes on an appointment. Making someone wait will cost you sales.

As Muskrat said, welcome the no's. You will statistically have to speak to x number of people to get one sale. I used to take my yearly income and divide it by my appointments, both closed and lost, and then figure you make $500 (or whatever your number is) per appointment. That keeps you from being bitter with people that "waste," your time.