I used to think you had to be a 'people person' for sales jobs

I was at a coffee shop yesterday and overheard a manager telling someone, 'We hired our top rep because she's great with data, not because she's a chatterbox.' That stuck with me. I always avoided sales roles, figuring my quiet style wouldn't fit. But he said she just listens to what clients actually need and shows them the numbers. It made me look at job listings differently. Have you ever been wrong about what a job really needs?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_mary7d ago

Funny how the loudest salespeople are often just covering for a bad product.

vera_robinson367d ago

Oh PLEASE, that manager is just telling a nice story. I've worked in sales for years and the quiet ones ALWAYS get eaten alive. Clients want energy and someone who can push back, not just a robot reading numbers. That "top rep" is probably the exception, not the rule. The job listings might change, but the REAL need is still for someone who can talk and connect.

corablack7d ago

My cousin sells industrial equipment and he's the quietest guy I know. He told me his clients are engineers who hate small talk. They just want the specs, the delivery timeline, and a clear price. His sales are all about knowing the product inside out, not giving a pep talk. The loud, pushy reps in his office actually turn those buyers off. It really depends on what you're selling and who you're selling to.