Reload this Page Do outside sales/inside sales jobs prefer no experience or is there a trick that I dont get. (employees, 2009)

[dzstep]

I've been applying to inside outside sales jobs(account executive and manager) and doing pretty good in the interviews but getting very few offers. Keep in mind these are entry level positions requiring 1-3 years of experience. I'm a recent grad from college and have had much more part time experience than any of my friends while in school. These jobs came with much greater responsibilities as well. So basically I dont know if theres somthin on the resume that scares them away or what it is that makes these deals fall through. Most of my friends were able to land these jobs that require 1-5 years of experience with pretty much 0 expererience or at best it would be very unrelated to the job. Keep in mind most didn;t have an IN or a contact in there that would place them in the company. Any idea what im doing wrong or whats wrong on my resume? I do good on interviews and the main concern for hiring managers is that I have no B2B sales experience it seems. Only the first company is my first real full time job.




company 1, A January – March 2009
Business Development Associate
• Analyzed all physicians within market for referral patterns and potential marketing plans. Concentration placed on Neurosurgeon, Orthopedic and Chiropractic physicians
• Generated new business by cold calling physician offices and effectively presenting, marketing and advertising our service
• Cooperate with other divisions and business units to ensure that our marketing strategy and measures are aligned with overall corporate strategies

Company 2 January – July 2008
Sales Intern Program
• Building and maintaining nationwide database of over 500 prospective clients
• Calling commercial real estate buyers throughout the U.S. to introduce transactions, drive bids and assist in driving the market-making process
• Assisting Directors with the hands-on execution of transactions in various phases
• Creating sales proposals and market evaluations using necessary documents from third parties

Company 3 2005 - 2008
Manager
• Directly responsible for management and operation of a high quality 24- hour care center for elderly and disabled residents
• Analyzed existing business practices and developed new business model to maximize high quality of service
• Worked closely with the Department of Social and Health Services to meet the WAC regulations

company 4 2004 – 2005
Agent/Marketing Specialist
• Marketed listings throughout Seattle and held open houses to aggressively grow area sales
• Prepared contracts and documentation; advised clients on general escrow and title procedures
• Designed and updated marketing materials. Performed competitive product evaluations

company 5 2003 - 2004
Manager
• Responsible for the marketing and managing of a $10 million portfolio consisting of over 18 commercial and residential real estate assets in the Puget Sound area

company 6 2002 - 2003
Junior Loan Officer
• Assisted Customers in determining financial needs and recommended appropriate mortgage solutions
• Embraced cold calling as means to build business and generate new leads

[gea12345]

Well, as a voice from the wilderness, I first had to do an internet search of what B2B meant. (Business to Business)
So, back to your question. If they want b2b experience, you must find a way to answer in the positive.

Sometimes, this can be done by weighting the job skills you have and cloaking them in language that shows that you have actually done all of the steps and acquired all of the skills, that is B2B,without actually having that job title.

But I am getting ahead of myself. First!! you must realize that your friends, may have gotten their jobs, before all hell broke loose. For example, I had no problem finding a job as late as July 2008, but one to two months later the bottom of the market dropped and companies started disgorging employees. So, you are fighting an uphill battle.

But if that is not the problem, then perhaps it is either your resume or your seeming lack of experience.

What is different about business to business. I think b2b is less about the intial contact or making the sale, but the long haul of maintaining the contract, troubleshooting their issues, being there to hold their hand and finding ways not to upsell but an ability to visualize their longterm needs and sell wide rather than up. Just imo. I might be wrong, since this is not my field.

However, if I am right, your resume does not have it, and is focused on the initial contact nd intial sale. So, I would get an internship at a top company for 6 months or 3 , move back home, save money and get in at the top.

For example, one of my sisters got her economics degree from a school in Phila, then got a fast track job at a bank in new york, then it was up from there, then went to Standford for an MBA, and now has a good job.

So, what i am saying, is that you need a job/internship, where they are willing to groom you, i.e. fast track you.

And yes, it is very competitive, so I hope you have good grades and good references.

good luck!

p.s. The ubiquitous "they" always want experience, but experience is not the end all and be all. Gpa, and the right courses are also important. If you don't find the right answer here, dont' forget to ask the top woman or man at your school for their blunt honest opinion.

[dzstep]

Thanks for the informative response. Speaking of an uphill battle, I went to a hiring even for printer sales and everyone there was 10-30 years older then me. The sales internship I did in commercial real estate was at the biggest commercial real estate firm out there and unfortunately we weren't exactly selling anything to them but rather trying to sell their property in case they decided to sell it. And yes I do agree that the market was much better 2 years ago which is when these kids scored these jobs.

[gea12345]

no problem...and now that you mention commercial real estate, your problem is very obvious, since real estate is at death's door at the moment. This is also true for real estate attorneys....

Again, unless you want to wait for the r.e. market to return, which it will, but you might have to eat tak ramen for a few years, it might be a good idea to change fields.

Mergers and acquisitions is doing well!!

p.s. Think how lucky you are that you are only two or three years from being a "kid' yourself. Focus on your youth, and that you are not too far down the road to be stuck in one direction.

Again Good luck!! and thanks ;-)

[ihatetucson]

Uh, ALL sales jobs DO require experience. I can't tell you how many job e-mails I get that says "Inside Sales Job, No Experience Necessary" every day, and turns out that either it actually does require experience, or the job is a bogus job. Be VERY learry about these no experience necessary jobs, do you research, and see if the job is suitable for you.

[gea12345]

hmmm did you read his comparison? He said his buddies from college, had no experience and got great jobs at good companies.

Companies before this recession, traditionally grab people right out of college, with no experience and fast track them to managment jobs. Often people right out of college get the pick of jobs over people with experience, since it is about grooming the person, and building a skill-set.