Sales is one of the most lucrative careers for those without a college degree. That being said, not having a degree does make it a tad more difficult to land your first sales job. And given that not all sales jobs are equally lucrative, landing a sales job without a degree is especially difficult if you’re applying for one of those more coveted positions.
That’s why we’ve created this guide. Below, we’ll tell you about some of the most lucrative and promising sales opportunities and how to land them, so that you’ll have the resources to launch your career in sales.
Do You Need a Degree for a Sales Job?
No, you don’t need a degree to work in sales. You can get into sales without a college degree, though it does help to have completed a relevant course or certification.
Best Sales Jobs You Can Land Without a Degree
There are plenty of options for people looking to make a career in sales without a degree. Here are some of the best sales jobs you can land without a college education.
B2B Sales
Business-to-business sales is the selling of products or services to other businesses. It’s a higher-level form of selling than B2C (business to consumer) sales because it involves a broad range of more complex products, usually with a higher price point.
Roles and Responsibilities
The job of a B2B sales representative can be broken down into three main parts: prospecting, selling, and closing. These steps involve identifying potential clients, reaching out to them, presenting their products, and finalizing a sale.
A B2B sales representative’s job is to convince the company that their product or service will help them accomplish their goals by helping them increase productivity, reach more customers, or lower costs through automation.
Average Salary
A salesperson working in B2B might expect to earn an average of $76,000 a year. The average salary also varies greatly depending on the role. For example, a VP of sales will earn much more than a sales development representative. Here’s how that all breaks down:
General Requirements
The first thing you’ll need as a B2B sales representative is an understanding of how businesses operate and how they purchase from one another. You’ll also need to know what makes up a business (i.e. departments, divisions) and how those departments work together to make decisions about purchasing products or services.
You also need a basic understanding of sales principles. These include things like: knowing your customer, building rapport, using influence techniques like social proofing and scarcity, and following up on sales calls after initial contact has been made.
Real Estate Agent/Realtor
If you’re looking for a career that puts you in contact with people from all walks of life, real estate sales may be the perfect fit for you. Real estate is a broad category that encompasses everything from finding properties for buyers to selling those properties to investors and landlords.
Roles and Responsibilities
As a real estate or leasing agent, you’ll spend most of your time showing properties to buyers and sellers, answering questions about what they can expect during the process, negotiating prices with the other party, and ensuring that all paperwork is signed correctly.
There’s also plenty of opportunity for growth within this career path—the more experience you have selling homes, the more likely you’ll be able to charge higher commissions for your services.
Related: The Highest-Paying Sales Jobs
Average Salary
Real estate agents make an average of $96,110 annually, with the highest average being $194.392, excluding commissions.
General Requirements
You don’t need a degree to become a real estate agent. But you will need a real estate liscense, which requires a high school diploma. You should also have great communication and organizational skills, in addition to a thorough knowledge of the market in which you’re working.
Retail Sales Associate
Working in the retail sales industry is a challenging, exciting, and rewarding career, though where you’re working has a huge impact on what you make—luxury retail salespeople earn much more than those working with products that go for a much lower price point.
Roles and Responsibilities
A retail sales associate’s job is to help customers find the products they want, explain any features of those products, and answer any questions about the products or the store where they’re shopping.
Retail sales associates also take orders from customers and ensure that other store employees fill those orders. They also keep track of how much inventory is left on hand so that managers can decide whether to restock things or not.
Average Salary
Retail sales associates make an average of $14.49 per hour or $44,779 yearly. This is a great starting point for entry-level salespeople.
General Requirements
As a retail sales associate, you need excellent communication skills, as you will deal directly with customers. You must also be comfortable working in an environment where you constantly interact with new people.
Finally, you must ensure you understand the ins and outs of your company’s customer service policies and inventory control system. This is especially important if you’re working with an online retailer.
Medical Equipment Sales Representative
Medical equipment sales is a field that involves selling medical supplies, devices, and instruments to hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, medical professionals, and patients.
Roles and Responsibilities
The primary goal of a medical equipment sales representative is to sell products used by hospitals and medical practitioners, including surgical instruments, hospital beds and linens, MRI machines, x-ray machines, ultrasound machines, anesthesia machines, patient monitors, and more.
Medical equipment sales representatives must make strong connections with their customers to sell their products effectively. They must also demonstrate the value of these products through demonstrations.
Average Salary
The average salary of a medical equipment sales representative is $118,539 per year.
A medical equipment sales representative may work on commission or receive a salary. They may also receive bonuses based on how well they perform in their job.
General Requirements
To land a job as a medical equipment sales representative, you must have a high school diploma. While a degree isn’t required, it is helpful to understand some of the more complex and technical aspects of what you’re selling.
Telemarketing
Telemarketing is the selling of products or services over the phone. Here’s what a day in the life of a telemarketer looks like:
Roles and Responsibilities
Telemarketing agents must be able to connect with people and inspire confidence in their abilities. They need to be convincing when dealing with potential clients.
Telemarketing agents must also be able to handle rejection well and be able to follow up with prospects who may not be interested in what they’re selling.
Average Salary
The average salary for a telemarketing agent is $30,226 per year. Most telemarketers also work on commission and earn more money if they sell more products or services.
General Requirements
Telemarketing agents must have excellent interpersonal skills. They should also work well under pressure, as telemarketing is typically an extremely fast-paced environment.
To become a telemarketing agent, a course in marketing or communications might be helpful. You may also want to consider taking classes in business management if you want more opportunities down the road.
SaaS Sales
SaaS sales is the selling software-as-a-service products to customers, and providing them with top-notch service once they purchase.
Roles and Responsibilities
SaaS sales representatives may work directly with clients or inside sales teams to represent their company’s products.
Related Read: How To Get into SaaS Sales
The job of a SaaS sales representative is to help customers understand what the product does, how it will benefit them, and why it is worth paying for. They need to be able to ask questions about what sort of issues the customer is experiencing to come up with solutions that fit those needs.
Average Salary
A SaaS sales representative typically earns an average of $150,400 per year.
General Requirements
To become a SaaS sales representative, you need to have a solid understanding of the software industry. This can come from various sources, including working in the industry or with a company selling SaaS products.
You’ll also need some technical knowledge—for example, you should know how to use Excel and other applications that are common in the SaaS industry (such as Salesforce).
Insurance Agent
Sales insurance is the process of finding clients, educating them on the benefits of insurance and how it can protect them, and then selling them an insurance policy.
Roles and Responsibilities
You’ll be working with clients looking for protection against loss or damage to their property or personal assets. You’ll also be working with other agents who have clients who need your services.
You’ll help clients find the right coverage at a price that fits their budget and their risk tolerance level. You’ll also help them understand how the policy works to know what to expect if something happens.
Average Salary
An insurance agent earns an average of $55,517 per year.
General Requirements
To work as an insurance agent, you’ll need to pass the state’s licensing exam and complete a few years of training. You can get additional training for certain insurance policies, such as life or health insurance.
Once you’ve been licensed, you’ll need to maintain your license by following up with continuing education courses.
Automobile Salesperson
Car sales is a great career choice if you’re looking to work in a fast-paced environment, where you’ll be able to interact with people all day.
The job requires that you be able to work independently and as part of a team, but it also requires that you think on your feet, solve problems creatively, and build relationships with potential customers.
Roles and Responsibilities
An automobile sales representative is a person who sells new and used cars. They are usually employed by a dealership but can also be self-employed.
The duties of an automobile sales representative include answering customer inquiries, explaining car features, helping people with their financing options, and organizing test drives.
Average Salary
The average salary of an automobile salesperson is $86,849 per year.
General Requirements
As an automobile sales representative, you must have confidence, charisma, and be a good listener.
You also need to analyze situations quickly and make decisions based on the information at hand. You’ll need excellent communication skills and the ability to interact with people from all walks of life.
You’ll want to have good knowledge of cars so that you can talk about them confidently with customers.
Travel Agent
If you love to travel but also enjoy working with people and helping them plan their vacations, a career in travel sales might be right for you.
Roles and Responsibilities
In this role, you’ll work with different clients to help them plan their trips.
You can expect to meet with each client at least once per year, depending on how often they travel and how far away from home they go.
You’ll also help them book those experiences through various means (airfare, hotels, activities). If asked, you may even assist with booking flights for family members or friends.
Average Salary
Travel agents make an average of $55,268 per year. They usually work on commission and earn more money if they can sell more trips.
General Requirements
Travel agents are usually required to have completed a course or certification with a focus on sales or hospitality and have some experience working in the area of travel. Soft skills needed include problem-solving, communication, negotiation, and organization skills.
The travel industry is constantly changing, with new technology always emerging. Travel agents must keep up with these changes and understand how they affect their business.
Media Sales Executive
A career in media sales is a fast-paced, ever-changing role that requires you to adapt quickly and work well under pressure. You will be expected to be on top of the latest trends, technologies, and tactics to sell your client’s products or services.
Roles and Responsibilities
The role of a media salesperson involves selling advertising space on behalf of advertising companies and television stations.
You’ll need to be able to work with clients to understand their needs, come up with the best possible solution for their projects, and also keep track of new advertising opportunities that can benefit your client.
Average Salary
The average salary of a media sales executive is $90,757 annually.
General Requirements
Some experience in advertising or marketing is helpful, but isn’t necessary. You could also get hired as a media sales executive or advertising sales agent if you’re pursuing a course or holding down another job while working towards getting more sales experience.
Tips To Land a Sales Job Without a Degree
If you’re looking to break into the field, here are some tips to help you land a sales job without a degree.
Complete a Certified Online Course or a Bootcamp
If you don’t have the time or money for college, consider taking an online or in-person course that will teach you the skills you need to be successful. You’ll be able to build up your resume and learn from experts while progressing toward your sales goal.
Complete an Internship
Pursuing an internship shows that you’re serious about learning how to sell and improving your skills. If an employer sees that you’ve been able to stick with it for three months or more, they’ll know that you have dedication and ambition—two essential qualities when looking for new hires.
Pursue an Entry-Level Job
If you don’t have relevant work experience or skills, consider pursuing entry-level sales jobs. If nothing else, these jobs will give you practice interacting with customers regularly, which is invaluable when trying to build a fruitful career in sales.
Look for Jobs That Offer On-the-Job Training
These positions will allow you to learn about your industry while earning money. You’ll also build relationships with hiring managers or business contacts who can help you find future employment opportunities.
Tap Into Your Network
Chances are good that someone in your network has worked at or knows someone who works at a company with open sales positions. You can also ask around at events or other social gatherings—you never know when someone might be able to set you up with a great opportunity.
Must-Have Skills for a Career in Sales
When it comes to a career in sales, you want to be prepared for anything. That’s why we’ve rounded up the must-have skills for anyone who wants to get ahead in this field of work.
People Skills
You need to speak clearly and persuasively and relate to other people in a way that makes them feel comfortable with you
Communication
You must confidently talk with customers on the phone or face-to-face.
Relationship and Rapport Building
You need to build relationships with your customers so that they trust you enough to buy from you again in the future.
Persuasion
You need to convince customers that they will benefit from buying what you’re selling them—that’s where your product knowledge also comes into play.
Active Listening
This is essential for anyone who wants to succeed in sales. It requires listening attentively and trying to understand what the other person is saying, rather than just waiting for your turn to speak.
Negotiation
No matter what kind of product or service you’re selling, you’ll need to be able to negotiate with potential buyers to get the best price possible.
Self-Motivation
This is another crucial skill for people who want careers in sales because they need to motivate themselves to keep going even when things get demanding or repetitive.
Empathy
If you can put yourself into other people’s shoes and understand how they feel, then sales is an excellent career for you.
Persistence
This comes into play when trying to convince someone who has already rejected your proposal that they should reconsider their decision because there are other benefits besides price that they might not have considered before.
Teamwork
Salespeople also need excellent teamwork skills because they usually work as part of a team rather than on their own.
Resources To Find Sales Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree
To find a sales job, you have to know where to look. Here are some resources that can help.
Job Boards
Sales job boards such as Indeed, Glassdoor, or FlexJobs are the most common places job seekers visit.
You can also search for companies that sell in your area or industry of preference and then apply directly through their websites.
Local Chamber of Commerce or Business Association
These organizations also often have job boards, which tend to be more specific than other sites since they cater specifically to local businesses.
Some even host networking events where you can meet hiring managers face-to-face.
Network
Browsing through LinkedIn profiles may help you find out about openings at companies that aren’t currently recruiting on other job boards or through other means—and it’s also a great way to connect with people who might be able to refer you when they hear about opportunities they know about.
FAQs About Landing a Sales Job Without a Degree
We’ve got answers to your most frequently asked questions.
Can I Earn More in Sales if I Have a Degree?
Not necessarily. Many companies hire salespeople without requiring a degree and still pay competitive salaries. These include Costco, Home Depot, and Lowe’s.
Is Sales a High-Paying Career?
Sales is a high-paying career. The base salary for sales positions is $65,630 per year. Sales professionals can earn even more: top performers in sales make close to $100,000, excluding commissions.
How Do I Break Into Sales With No Experience?
One of the best things you can do is volunteer for a local organization with a sales department. It’s not just good practice; it’s also great networking.
Research different companies on LinkedIn and network with other salespeople. Meanwhile, take a sales course. These courses are taught by people already in the industry, so you’ll get the best advice, and they will also come in handy when you apply for a sales job.
Related Read: 5 Tips on How to Get Into Sales Regardless of Experience
What’s the Best-Paying Sales Job With No Degree?
Some of the best-paying sales jobs that don’t require a degree are media sales executive, car sales, insurance agent, telemarketing, travel agent, or retail sales associate.
Since you’re here…
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