Look no further than a career in sales if you are looking for a job that lets you meet lots of new people, and often allows flexible hours and the chance to make more money the better you perform. If you’re thinking to yourself ‘I’ve never done sales before’, and you are wondering how to apply for a sales job with no experience, we have lots of tips and advice to help you get your foot in the door.

Interested in working in sales? Check out our job search here. Or find comprehensive jobseekers’ advice here.

Applying for a sales job with no experience

Regardless of product or service, this is an industry that welcomes go-getters who want to get into sales with no experience. You will have to be willing to do the legwork required of newcomers, possibly starting at the bottom, but it is normally a quick ascent to higher positions for the right person.

Always remember to tailor your cover letter and CV. Read through the job description noting the skills that the hiring manager is looking for in a candidate and write down the keywords that match your skillset – with just a few keywords and phrases, you will be able to highlight your sales skills and experience, giving you a tailored CV.

Before job interviews, research the industry and company that you are applying for because you may have a skill that fits their needs which you hadn’t considered initially. Future employers will look at any form of work experience, even from an early job not in a sales role; note down any transferable skills and relate any previous experience to the role you are applying for.

When you interview for sales positions, the interviewers will try to determine if you’re qualified, yes, but they also want to see how your work ethic, sales persona and personality will fit with their sales teams. Plus, you will receive valuable training in most entry-level jobs because the employer will want to mould you into the type of salesperson they need. Therefore, during interviews, express that you’re eager to learn on the job and that you learn quickly.

During sales interviews, build a rapport quickly by being friendly and outgoing. Ask the interviewer questions about themselves and try to find out what you both share in common.

Sales training and courses

Impress your future employer by showing you are goal-oriented by attending courses on the art of selling. Not only are sales courses a great way to deepen your knowledge on sales, but they are also a great way to network (particularly in-person courses) and show potential employers that you are serious about the field.

From short courses focusing on specific topics to degrees taking three years, there are lots of options for anyone who wants to work in sales. You will find courses available from introductory to advanced levels, covering topics ranging from the fundamentals of selling, business negotiation skills, customer service skills, general sales skills and much more.

Read sales books because there is a wealth of information about how to sell a product or service, and reading is one of the easiest ways to learn about sales techniques and practices. You will be able to find out about time tested fundamental sales strategies which you can follow step by step in order to improve your sales process.

Interested in selling in a particular field? Go to industry-specific conferences and networking events, join professional associations, and connect with prospective sales managers on social media.

How can Cantello Tayler Recruitment help?

Cantello Tayler Recruitment offer over 130 years of experience providing permanent, temporary and contract candidates with roles ranging from sales positions to office management, across a wide range of industries and sectors.

Our dedicated, friendly and professional team are here to help you every step of the way and we take pride in offering an exceptional level of service and thoroughly enjoy working in partnership with our candidates to help you land a sales job that meets all your requirements.

We offer a bespoke service to our candidates, offering as much support and guidance as you require, including answering any answer questions you may have on CV building, cover letter writing, sales jobs application advice, offer management, and interview tips too.

To submit your CV to Cantello Tayler Recruitment, please fill out the form here and we’ll be in touch as soon as we can.