Are Introverts Suited To A Career In Sales

It is common for many people to believe that only loud extroverts are suited to a career in sales. However this is not necessarily the case. Certainly a sales person needs to be able to voice his or her opinion when necessary, but even introverts are capable of doing this.

Sometimes introverts dismiss a career in sales because they mistakenly believe that sales is not suited to a more reserved and reflective personality type. This type of thinking can unfortunately cause them to miss out on a lucrative career choice.

Industry experts agree that the stereotype of the back slapping, loud and extroverted sales person still pervades. This could not be further from the truth. In reality, sales is based on mutual trust, mutual respect, mutual agreement and mutual commitment.

The typical ‘introvert’ in fact has many strengths and qualities which lend themselves well to a career in sales:

* Composure – most introverts exude a sense of calm, composure and control. From a customer’s point of view, this means that the sales person does not come across as pushy, overly excitable or obnoxious. These traits can be useful in putting customers at ease.

* Listening ability – introverts typically have good listening skills and these are great skills for sales people to have. It is very important for a sales person to listen to a customer’s needs. Customers prefer sales people who take the time to hear them out, as apposed to sales people who push their own agenda.

* Relationship building – introverts are actually very good at building and maintaining long term relationships, and this is one of the most critical traits for a sales person to have. Introverts are good listeners who are in touch with their customer’s underlying messages, and so they tend to do a good job of satisfying what their customers really want. This means that introverts excel at building long term relationships and maintaining a reliable customer base and / or territory.

* Introverts are typically uncomfortable with putting on a false front or false show, which can actually be a strength in sales. It means that introverts are highly effective sales people when they have a strong belief in the product or service that they are selling. A genuine conviction in the product or service they are selling is key to any sales person’s success.

So the answer to the above question is yes, introverts can be effective sales people. It takes all personality types to lead a productive and successful sales career, not just extroverts!