Hot Job: It pays to sell



Sales professionals are the workers most in demand in South Australia as businesses chase a greater income and resume their growth in the wake of the economic downturn.

Sales professionals, including consultants, managers, representatives and assistants, consistently have been the top jobs advertised in CareerOne since March.

CareerOne’s Job Hunter reveals sales professionals have had the highest number of advertisements for seven of the past 10 weeks and the second highest number for one of those weeks.

Industries that need sales staff include automotive, retail and home improvement.

The high number of vacancies is attributed to the state’s recovery from the global financial crisis.

Prescott Securities chief economist Darryl Gobbett says companies had restricted their staff numbers and delayed growth in 2008 and 2009 because of the constraints of the global financial crisis.

But, now the economy is picking up, businesses can begin to grow and concentrate on future pursuits rather than just survival past the tough times.

“To do that, businesses need sales staff to bring in an income,” Mr Gobbett says.

“Businesses have weathered the storm for two years, things are looking better and they are starting to need people who get out there and sell the business.

“They are starting to put people on to start growing the business.”

Business SA chief executive Peter Vaughan says sales professionals play an important role across many industry sectors, which is why there is now a high demand for their services.

“Sales professionals are the front-line troops who get the deal done,” he says.

“Many industries require these professionals and are able to utilise their skills in a variety of ways.

“Good sales professionals are highly valued as they negotiate well, they promote their company, present their products effectively and close the deal.

“Their importance is supported by the demand in job advertisements.”

Mr Gobbett says sales professionals often are “born with” the skills to succeed in the job or are self-taught and it is the type of role that does not necessarily require qualifications.

It means many unskilled or unemployed workers who are interested in or wanting a career in sales have a good chance at securing work.

He says many businesses also are wary that many of their senior staff may be retiring in coming years and want to hire staff they can develop to take over.

Radio Rentals sales consultant Steven Ulbrich, 31, has worked in the sales industry and for the company for the past six years.

He says the job is much more enjoyable than his previous employment in engineering, as he is able to indulge in a passion by keeping up with the latest technology.

He specialises in selling televisions, home theatre systems and computer systems.

“Every situation is a unique situation,” he says.

“Every customer has their own personality and it’s great to make customers aware of how enjoyable it is to own a new product or upgrade to a new product.”

He says the global financial crisis was a slow selling period but the market has picked up with more people now wanting to buy new products, such as 3D televisions.

DOLLARS & SENSE

Sales staff sell a company’s products or services a customer. Workers can be employed in any industry in a variety of roles. Employees often earn commission on their sales achievements.

SALES ASSISTANT/CONSULTANT
Work in a retail outlet or store and sell a product or service to customers who are considering or wanting to make a purchase.
Average annual salary: $35,000 – $40,000

SALES REPRESENTATIVE/EXECUTIVE
Source new clients and liaise with existing customers to sell a company’s products or services and meet income budgets.
Average annual salary: $50,000 – $75,000

SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER
Specialise in a particular field or work with a small number of customers – or one to provide a thorough service.
Average annual salary: $50,000 – $75,000

SALES MANAGER
Manages a team of sales representatives and enforce company margins, undertake some sales work and develop new sales strategies.
Average annual salary: $95,000 – $105,000

Look for more sales jobs our home page: careerone.com.au

Article from The Advertiser, June 19, 2010.