To be or not to be...in a Sales role...that is the question.

There is another question: isn't it time to re-invent the Sales role? The quick answer to that question is - Yes. A longer answer will follow in a future Thought Post.

Today, the question is - Should You be in a Sales role?

In order to answer that big career-choice question, you should break it down into bite-size pieces. For example, you could ask then answer the following questions. You could use your answers to create lists of the 'pros' and cons' about your choice of a Sales role.

Here are some of the questions you should consider then answer Yes No or Maybe:

Yes No or Maybe - Do I have self-knowledge about my Strengths?

Yes No or Maybe - Do I have self-confidence, even when the going gets tough?

Yes No or Maybe - Do I think Sales is a very-important business function?

Yes No or Maybe - Am I interested in other People?

Yes No or Maybe - Do I have a strong work ethic?

Yes No or Maybe - Am I a self-starter, with lots of energy and drive?

Yes No or Maybe - Do I know how to listen?

Yes No or Maybe - Do I know how and when to stop talking?

Yes No or Maybe - Do I have a pleasing personality?

Yes No or Maybe - Do I enjoy delivering value?

In addition, at some point the questions will involve other factors...the company you will work for, the product/service you will sell and, of course, the Clients who will buy your product/service.

Yes No or Maybe - Does this Company creates and delivers value to its Clients?

Yes No or Maybe - Does this product/service is of value to Clients, whom I know I can serve well?

Yes No or Maybe - Do I know how to go about selling this product/service and delivering value to these specific Target Clients?

Yes No or Maybe - Am I enthusiastic about working at this specific Sales role?

PS: the more Yes answers the better. In fact, a single No answer could mean you should seek another career, another company to work at, or another product/service to sell. And, about Maybe answers - BEWARE - successful Sales people do not like Maybe answers!