On Wednesday, I mentioned I have a new job at a gym. Several of you asked what it is, and what it entails.
Well - it's sales. As I've mentioned before, I don't really like sales-y jobs - but I'm giving this a try.
I mean, it was like the stars aligned: I happened to get out of work early just a few hours after seeing an ad for the gym with instructions to stop by with a resume. I had just enough time to jet over before my scheduled homework time (I'm just a blast, you guys) and the owner and managed both just happened to be there.
Besides, I've always wished I was good at sales.
I should rephrase that, actually: I am good at one-on-one sales. I sold Cutco (via Vector Marketing - sorta pyramid-scheme-ish) for 2 years and did very well. I'm good at building rapport in a one-on-one or one-on-two setting.
But when I'm in front of a group or there are managers or co-workers listening in, I tend to get nervous and stumble-y. I think this stems from all the theatre I did as a kid: the teachers always said, "Don't worry if you mess up - the audience doesn't know what you're supposed to say or do!" But your fellow actors - or coworkers or managers - do know what you're supposed to say. And for some reason that really shakes me up.
I'm not really making this a do-or-die go at sales, though. If I'm able to "woman up" and get over my fears, great. But right now I have straight As and my main goal for this summer is to make the Dean's list. I have kind of a hierarchy of goals and that is at the very, very top.
What are your summer goals? Anyone good at sales? =)
PS: Speaking of work and goals, check out my new Services page!
You go girl! I think you will do well because you are a passionate person :)
ReplyDeletecongratulations on the new job! i'm only good at sales if i believe in what i'm selling :) can't wait to read more from your blog!
ReplyDeleteoh i bet you'll be great at it. Your one on one here and I'd buy anything from you. HOnest!
ReplyDeleteThe only sales I've done has been retail. So definitely not trying to sell gym memberships or specific products. I really hated it to be honest. And mostly it was dealing with really ugly customers. Maybe it'll be different with the gym b/c it's kind of something you're into.
ReplyDeleteSales is one of my personal versions of hell. I have no idea if I would be good at it, because I loathe every aspect of it. My first job out of college was placing newspaper ads, which isn't even really sales, but just talking to people I didn't know every day made me want to stab myself in the hand with a pen so I could go to the hospital and not have to do my job anymore.
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds sad when I write it out.
Congrats on the new job girl!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll do great - the more you do it, the more you'll grow comfortable with it!
Loving your progressphotos on instagram, just started following you!
Hope you have an AWESOME weekend :)
Sales is the one thing I suck at in my job!! I hate that I have to be saleswoman. The first job I was offered over here involved me having to approach gym members on the floor and convince them to sign up for personal training. UGH. So not comfortable with doing that, considering how much I hate it myself when trainers try to sell me sessions. Luckily I'm in a very wealthy area where money really is not an object, and it is a personal training studio only, so the sale is easy because most people who come in want to have a trainer already.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Sable! So proud of my girl! I am definitely not a sales person ;)
ReplyDeleteI am terrible at sales! I did it for nearly two years and hated it. It didn't help that I was selling insurance and had ridiculous targets. In saying that, I reckon if I was selling something I truly loved and believed in, without ridiculous targets, I could do it, and do it well (Lorna Jane comes to mind hee hee).
ReplyDeleteDo you think that because you're selling gym memberships it may come easy to you? I think you will do great. For a start, your beautiful bod is a walking advertisement ;-)
I think you will be great at it. Fitness is something you love and are passionate about and it will show when you are talking to other people. Find your groove and don't worry about other people. Remember that if they do listen its because you are good and they may want to learn from you...maybe from your people skills. Not everybody can work with people and build a relationship with them, it's a good skill to have.
ReplyDeleteI use to work on the phones in a call center and I was great with people. I knew my calls were recorded and anyone could listen at any time but if someone plugged in next to me I would get so nervous. I'm glad to hear it is not just me with that fear. With time it will get better.
It occurs to me that with so many people saying they cannot get a job, you seem to find plenty wanting to hire you. Good news: No buying clothes you won't wear outside the office and you are a walking advertisement for what could happen to a person coming to the gym if... they go to your gym. So you get a free membership? Too bad you cannot teach classes. That would be fine inspiration - plus you'd get your cardio AND get top practice posing.
ReplyDeleteWay to juggle Sable. Glad you have class at the top.
Good for you! Sales is tough, but it helps if you are passionate about what you are selling. I get nervous too but sounds like you have the right attitude. I once had a job selling waterless wash n wax at a service station because I was desperate for money. Worst job ever!!! Also it can be so good for your confidence when you are successful at it!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new job, Sable- I'm sure you're doing better than you give yourself credit! Part of my job involves sales and I'm surprised at how much I actually enjoy it ...I guess I like the interaction part of the job! Eventually I want to open up a nutrition consulting business and I think that's where I'll find sales tricky...I'm kinda modest so selling myself (as opposed to a product) will be somewhat of a challenge!
ReplyDeleteAnd on a side note, way to go on crushing your papers/exams lately :)!
Congrats on the new job! I really really have a hard time selling if it directly impacts me like a paycheck, but its weird I'll "sell" tons of other stuff, I'll talk about my favorite bloggers (like yourself), c25k, books, friends that are artists or musicians, a brand of makeup. Its weird that is in essence "selling" so I'm not sure why I can't translate that into a job. However, I wanted to thank you for your inspiration. Not only do you inspire me to set higher goals of fitness you also inspire to continue pursuing my career dreams. Thank you!
ReplyDeletei have every confidence that you're going to be great! i'm actually pretty good at sales - worked in tasting rooms and made $ off commission. i think my best advice is to disarm the customer with friendliness & humor. at a gym, people know you're trying to sell them and they're coming into it with a preconceived notion that you're trying to screw them over. offer the mid-price plans, make it seem like you're giving them a deal and just be yourself! you'll be great!!!
ReplyDeletegood luck with your new job :) Maybe more practice will make you love sales!!
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