When it comes down to it, finding a job is all about being able
to sell the hiring organization on your skills and accomplishments.
Once you convince them that they need you to solve their problems; you
are golden. However, many don't consider how important sales skills
may be within the job, too. Whether or not you are actually selling a
product or service, you'll probably need to sell an idea to your
manager, showcase a new initiative to your colleagues or convince your
superiors that you deserve a raise or a promotion. All of these involve
sales skills.
Russell Sachs, vice president of sales at Work Market, suggests that
the following five sales skills are important for every job. Hone
these to enhance your opportunities at work:
Listen first. Think about the people you enjoy being around. It's likely one of their personality traits is being a good listener.
Sachs notes: "When it comes to workplace effectiveness, if you don't
take the time to listen to your boss and colleagues before you tackle
the challenge or problem, you will potentially miss the underlying areas
of concern." When you fail to listen first, you may lose the
opportunity to create a solution that appropriately addresses the
expected outcome.
Build your network. You know sales people need to
constantly consider their networks. Unfortunately, many careerists
ignore this key aspect of their job because maintaining a network isn't always top-of-mind
for non-sales professionals. Be proactive at work and build
relationships before you need to rely on them to help you accomplish a
work goal or land a promotion. Don't forget to build a network of people
who know, like and trust you both inside and outside of your
workplace. When it comes time to land a new job, you'll rely on those
outside contacts to help you successfully navigate to a new role.
Sachs suggests you consider trade shows, industry events and meetups an important part of your professional development.
Be diligent. We know that sales people need to be
tenacious and keep up with their prospects in order to be top-of-mind.
This skill is equally valuable for anyone in the workforce. "Showing up
on time for meetings
(or even a few minutes early), being prepared for the task at hand,
knowing your business inside and out and bringing new ideas will set you
apart from your peers," Sachs says.
It's a point well taken. Everyone knows someone at work who's just
getting by, doing the minimum necessary to keep the paychecks coming.
However, just as someone is unlikely to buy a product or service from
someone who does not impress them, if you don't go the extra mile at
work, you'll lose out on opportunities to advance.
Communicate effectively. Communication is probably
the most important workplace skill. Whether you're communicating in
person, on the phone or via text, email or social media, it's crucial
to demonstrate that you have a command of the situation and can present
effective solutions. Sachs suggests speaking slowly
and confidently to help deliver your points with passion and
enthusiasm. He reminds professionals to double check their writing for
confidence-killing grammar and spelling errors. You may be surprised by
how important these small steps can be when it comes to winning at
work.
Maintain your personal brand. We don't have much
more than our reputations when it comes to getting ahead. People want
to buy from those they believe to be trustworthy and knowledgeable and
from companies that offer high quality and innovation. Sachs notes:
"The same is true when it comes to the workplace – your colleagues and
superiors will give you more responsibility if they view you as someone
they can count on, especially if you establish yourself as a credible
authority." How can you enhance your reputation? Maintain a
professional social media stream, be a good listener, work diligently,
grow your professional network and communicate clearly, correctly and
confidently. When you combine all of these tips, you'll be well
prepared to meet any challenge at work.