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I had an interview with a phone company that are hiring for D2D account representatives. When I first applied I was under the impression I would would at an office trying to gain leads and cold calling but I learned a majority of work would be done out in the field i.e. walking from house to house and trying to sell package deals on the latest internet speeds and TV and the hours would be well into the evening, around 9 p.m. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience doing d2d sales and how successful or unsuccessful they were in their endeavors or should I just run and not look back? I've never been fond of solicitors, and now it seems I am in a position to do the very thing I despise.
I have a 2nd interview today that entails job shadowing but I haven't made up my mind as to whether this will be right for me. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
I have done some door to door sales, it takes a special type of person to handle the rejection you will face, and you will have to learn to talk fast. I personally spent a long time in sales and was pretty successful at it, but due to being a really big guy and not a fast taker I had a hard time getting someone to even open a door and then getting them to listen to me was really bad. I did not last long trying to do it door to door.
I will say this, I do have some friends that have done really well in sales or business development jobs, that started their careers as door to door sales people, often they go to the front of the interview list for any of those job types as sales managers know that if you can survive in that kind of sales for any length of time than you can handle picking up the phone or meeting with clients.
I have done some door to door sales, it takes a special type of person to handle the rejection you will face, and you will have to learn to talk fast. I personally spent a long time in sales and was pretty successful at it, but due to being a really big guy and not a fast taker I had a hard time getting someone to even open a door and then getting them to listen to me was really bad. I did not last long trying to do it door to door.
I will say this, I do have some friends that have done really well in sales or business development jobs, that started their careers as door to door sales people, often they go to the front of the interview list for any of those job types as sales managers know that if you can survive in that kind of sales for any length of time than you can handle picking up the phone or meeting with clients.
Thanks for the reply, jwiley. I don't mind the consulting part; in fact that is probably what I enjoy most of all having some experience in retail sales... but I am honest with myself and know I am not the best sales person. As you probably know the hours are long ~60hrs a week, all commission based, and the work is done in rain or shine. How did you deal with that aspect of the job? Were you invited into homes to sell packages or finish the transaction directly at the door? And were you alone or did you have a a partner when going out to sell? Going out alone at night to push a product is a bit worrisome to me.
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There are a couple of people that I know who tried this kind of work, both quit after a few weeks. It was not the weather, being alone in the dark, or the pay. It was having to endure being shouted at, door being closed in your face, and feeling like you are always intruding on people trying to enjoy a quiet evening with their family. There has to be something better out there for you.
There are a couple of people that I know who tried this kind of work, both quit after a few weeks. It was not the weather, being alone in the dark, or the pay. It was having to endure being shouted at, door being closed in your face, and feeling like you are always intruding on people trying to enjoy a quiet evening with their family. There has to be something better out there for you.
Thank you, Hemlock. That is exactly what I am picturing even though HR is spinning it to be something fanciful. While I understand the importance of having a thick skin and the invaluable lessons that can be learned through d2d interactions, I am not in a place where I can *hope* to make money that week. No fixed income. I do think I may have to just keep looking.
An old colleague and friend of mine worked at Comcast for years, selling into business accounts. He mentioned that the turnover for residential representatives was very high: they would typically last 3-5 months, for reasons mentioned above.
An old colleague and friend of mine worked at Comcast for years, selling into businessaccounts. He mentioned that the turnover for residentialrepresentatives was very high: they would typically last 3-5 months, for reasons mentioned above.
Business and residential accounts are a big difference, I can see why you pointed that out. Did he start out residential and transition into B2B? I would imagine the turnover rate to be very high for residential. And I can't think of anyone I know who has been successful doing any sort of d2d sales for a prolonged period of time. Thank you for the reply.
No, my friend was always a business sales account manager (AT&T, Comcast and now at Charter).
He mentioned that some folks start in residential to get some "OJT" then move on into the business side, where it is generally more lucrative and you are dealing with less of a random approach to generating and cultivating leads (less door knocking, but more professional networking, having an available inside sales manager help with lead generation, etc)
I am not trying to dissuade you, just want you to know the other side of the position, which your employer likely won't tell you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by evangalg1
Business and residential accounts are a big difference, I can see why you pointed that out. Did he start out residential and transition into B2B? I would imagine the turnover rate to be very high for residential. And I can't think of anyone I know who has been successful doing any sort of d2d sales for a prolonged period of time. Thank you for the reply.
A LOT of rejection that you will have to handle, but that doesn't necessarily mean you are doing bad. Just gotta focus on all the YES, as few and far between they are.
A LOT of rejection that you will have to handle, but that doesn't necessarily mean you are doing bad. Just gotta focus on all the YES, as few and far between they are.
Yep. I sold Kirby vacuum cleaners D2D one summer back in 1984. I spent all my commissions on gas and food. That was a wasted summer. The only thing I got out of it which was a positive was to get good at presentations and speaking in public. Not many people will spend $1300 for a vacuum cleaner.
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