Everyone has been asked that age old question of, “What would you like to be when you grew up?” We see professions like doctors or lawyers being mentioned loud and proud, but what about the humble salesperson? What about a career in sales?

As consumers we have all had our experiences with the ‘shady’, ‘pushy’, or ‘swindling’ salesperson. Media depictions of salespeople aren’t flattering either. So it isn’t surprising that certain negative views about salespeople persist.

So why do people still make it their career?

Well sales positions are not the typical, shallow, career option some might imagine it to be. You deal with a lot of people, a lot of firms and money. Excel in what you do and you could be compensated handsomely.

Take a step back and you will realize that sales is actually a problem solving or enhancing process for a potential buyer. Salespeople develop the skills to discover needs and solve problems. Contrary to the viewpoint often held by people who don't understand selling, the most successful salespeople sell by asking questions, listening and understanding what customers really need.

Still, stereotypes persist. Here are some of them:

Stereotype #1: Only “good talkers” do well in the world of sales.
Fast talkers do not necessary do very well in sales because they have a bad reputation of being insincere, pushy and have a lack of concern or compassion. Anytime a salesperson is talking, the client is formulating objections. That's just the way the human mind works. When you learn to listen, you would be able to address to your customer’s needs, hence increasing your chances of making great sales.

Stereotype #2: Sales people have to be aggressive.
Most people think that to succeed in sales, you must be thick skinned and be as aggressive as possible. The reality is, aggression would only turn off most buyers, thus it is more important to be sincere, helpful, empathic, passionate and knowledgeable.

Stereotype #3: Sales are all about numbers.
Sales are actually all about the people you meet. It is all about networking and building relationships with your clients or prospects. Many salespeople are obsessed with the numbers of people they meet, the total of appointments made and the amount of sales produced. However it’s often about the research done to make each potential customer count. Don’t only work hard, work smart.

Stereotype #4: A career in sales is boring, easy and unfulfilling.
A career in sales is very challenging and demands good communication skill as well as an in-depth knowledge of the business or industry you’re in. You need leadership skills and a superior time management abilities. On top of that, everything you do affects the bottom line directly. As a result, it’s actually not easy to get hired as a salesperson! Employers like candidates who are hungry to succeed, are broad minded, are eager to learn new skills and who will be committed and trustworthy to client's company and to their customers.

Conclusion
For those who are looking to improve leadership, communication, and people skills, a career in sales can be a wonderful option. Analyze it from all important aspects and you will find that there are much more to sales than just ‘selling’. If you can look beyond the stereotypes and take advantage of it, a career in sales could be a lucrative and fulfilling prospect.