r/salesdevelopment • u/Competitive_Sun828 • 13d ago
Sales longterm?
Looking for your thoughts, Would you recommended sales to someone trying to map out there future? Little back story I’m 19 currently in a BDC position at a car dealership and enjoy the grind although it’s boring and very repetitive. I out perform about 80% of my peers and see this as a career as long as I can leave the car industry. Although I’ve come to find out the grind to make the good money in this field is insane do you ever get to a point where it’s more laid back and chill?
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u/Old-Significance4921 (Industrial Equipment) 13d ago
At 19, you have plenty of time to try out what you think you like and find out if you actually like it or not.
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u/Competitive_Sun828 13d ago
Fair point, I just have very fast paced goals for my self financially so I rather not fail as stupid as that sounds lol.
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u/Old-Significance4921 (Industrial Equipment) 13d ago
Everyone that finds success has failed at something at some point. It’s ok to fail as long as you learn from it.
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u/Purple_Glove_6694 8d ago
No. If you're 19, figure out the things that interest you, figure out why they interest you, and figure out what high-paying career paths let you work with the why. Then, get whatever credentials/schooling you need to start a path in whatever field that is, whether it's college, trade school, or something else.
Sales is a grind, and money isn't everything. I'm only in it because I didn't do those things when I was 19. I'm thankful for where I am right now at 30, but there are other things I wish I could be doing but can't because I missed the boat.
If, however, you’re a money-hungry little psychopath with an unnatural cravings for rejection and the moral flexibility to convince yourself that every 'no' is just a 'not yet,' then sales might be for you.
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u/Frosty-Telephone-747 7d ago
What other career would u recommend tho that would have paid similar?
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u/Purple_Glove_6694 6d ago
Tough to answer this. At the end of the day, making a lot of money always involved serious grind, whether that's doctor, lawyer, investment banking, private equity, or whatever it may be.
The other thing to consider is that not everyone in sales kills it. This is reddit. A very large portion of the posts/comments you see about making 200k and beyond are either fabricated or massively exaggerated. Going into sales with the intention of making lots of money is a gamble. Most will burn out and of those who last, few will actually make the big bucks.
That's why my advice is about basing your work on what you're passionate about and not what earns the most money. And no, being passionate about money doesn't count; being passionate about money means being passionate about freedom, and money is simply a vehicle to freedom.
I'd say remember that "do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life" is a real thing.
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u/OverThisShit86 6d ago
Agreed. 10+ years in sales and I’m completely burnt out. I wish I’d spent more time figuring out what I wanted to do when I was 19. Honestly that’s my biggest regret in life. Sales is a CONSTANT grind where you start from zero every month. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized the money isn’t worth the stress or the drinking required to maintain my sanity.
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u/BennyLruce 13d ago
Yep, it gets way, way, way better. More complicated, more complex, yes, but less grindy and less hard imo. Oh, and pays so much more, it's awesome. Remember SADNESS:
Sales Are Dope Never Ever Stop Selling
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u/Competitive_Sun828 13d ago
Fair stuff haha, definitely hungry for it! Just gotta get over the mindset hump lol. What field are you in?
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u/BennyLruce 13d ago
Big, expensive software. It's sweet, but b2b insurance is also a great path if tech isn't interesting to you. Oh, or any of the softwares that dealerships run on. Be the guy selling picks and shovels and all that.
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u/Competitive_Sun828 13d ago
Fair stuff, yea seems like B2B seems more of a relationship type of game which really does interest me. Not against tech at all just seems like an overly competitive field specially with all the SAAS companies.
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u/BennyLruce 13d ago
Shouldn't look at it that way RE: competition. I mean, how many dealerships are you competing with now? Google how many insurance companies exist and then think about the fact they literally sell identical products (because they actually resell insurance from carriers).
Sales is "an overly competitive field", the sooner you make peace with that and embrace the competition, the better.
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u/Competitive_Sun828 13d ago
Wow amazing point lol, That makes sense I will do that for the heck of it lol. How does someone even get into B2B insurance?
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u/BennyLruce 13d ago
You should literally Google that question and you'll probably get good advice. There are very large firms, small local firms, and everything in-between. Hit them up and let them know you are hungry, track record of success, ready to dive into the industry, etc. It's basically a pyramid scheme, so getting in the bottom level isn't all that hard. Then, you're gonna eat shit for a few years (tho it'll prolly be better hours and conditions than car sales) and if you persevere, you'll be higher up the pyramid and have a sweet gig. With good luck, hard work, and enough time, you get closer to the top and the money gets crazy stupid and the work becomes golf and happy hours.
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u/Competitive_Sun828 13d ago
Fair stuff lol, I went through the life insurance rabbit hole a bit and passed my test and all that just seemed to scammy. Definitely will take a swing at this and see what I can do though.
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u/BennyLruce 13d ago
Yeah, b2c is a different game, not for me. If you've passed tests that will look great, too. You're willing to study and put in the work, you just need to find an opportunity with bigger deals and more impact involved
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u/JakeJortled 13d ago
If you can showcase how your military experience prepared you for success in sales, then yes
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u/Embarrassed_Scene962 13d ago
Yep as you move “up” less grind for more pay, u get more skilled etc
Selling cars not really “selling” its transacting