Common Misconceptions of Sales

Sales is a career path with virtually unlimited potential for growth (professional and financial). However, despite the field’s growing popularity, some stereotypes and misconceptions die hard. Fortune says it well: “Unfounded stereotypes block paths for many people who could do the job, but never get a chance due to a blinkered assessment tool or unfounded assumption about having ‘the right personality’ for the job.” Read the below stereotypes. They probably sound familiar, but they’re untrue!

You must be pushy. Most are well-acquainted with the stereotype of a manipulative car salesman. In reality, though, this is not true. Sales is about creating and maintaining relationships with your customers. Empathy and listening skills are critical. Instead of pushing people away, you will want to establish a meaningful connection.

You must be an extrovert. Some of the most successful people in sales are introverts. While extroverts are naturally more outgoing and social, introverts have invaluable skills such as self-awareness and observation. Virtanza instructor and Vice President of Local Advertising at the Philadephia Inquirer Tony Cuffie says:

“Successful salespeople are not overtly friendly, loquacious, and charming. Some have all of these qualities, as do many former, unsuccessful sales professionals. Successful sales professionals are listeners that understand the point is to help solve a need, not just make a sale. The goal is to secure an advocate, not just a client. The profession is to help someone make an informed decision that will eliminate or help minimize their need.”

A critical part of the Virtanza four-step sales process, the Needs Assessment, is all about listening to the customer! It’s also important to note that not everyone is a true extrovert or introvert. Most people tend to fall somewhere in between, and everyone has a unique combination of skills that they can bring to the table.

 It’s highly intense and fast-paced. While this can be true for certain roles, it isn’t always the case. There are many different pathways you can take with this career. In recent years, sales has evolved, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re not interested in transactional sales (which typically entails making many quick one-off sales), consultative sales might be more appealing to you. Consultative sales roles, in particular, focus less on pitching a product or service and more on the prospect and their needs. The sales cycles also tend to be longer and more complex.

You’ll get pigeon-holed in sales. Not at all! The skills you learn in a sales role can take you quite far in your career. You can move up the ladder to close bigger deals or change your career path altogether. The communication skills, resilience, and business knowledge you gain from a sales position are valuable in nearly any future role. If you decide to stay in sales, the sky is the limit for professional and financial growth. 

You have to be born as a salesperson, not made. This is also a myth. Sales skills can absolutely be learned, though they take a lot of practice and hard work. One way to learn these is to explore sales bootcamp opportunities, such as Virtanza’s university partnership programs. These will enable you to learn essential selling skills in a short period of time.

If you want to discover your own unique skillsets and learn the keys to successful selling, you can start by enrolling in one of our Virtanza sales programs!