People will always need things, so they have to find the money to buy them. Strangely though, it seems to be that humans often buy things that they don't really need, but that they want. Some might say that fulfilling a desire is fulfilling a need for we are in a material society where acquisition of possessions counts for a lot in terms of self esteem and how well-to-do we appear to others. So people will buy things to improve their life in some way or other, whether it be their image, their appearance, their health, or the drudgery of day to day life.
Whether people buy a particular product over other similar ones can be influnced by advertising, other's opinions, or by sales people.
Sales jobs may be looked down on by some but that's unfair because they do form a vital part of the economy. A thriving economy needs people to buy and sell, otherwise there are no profits. A salesperson does an important job in helping a consumer make up their mind and, provided the product being sold is a good one, then everyone is satisfied.
Many consumers these days may research a product online before buying, especially if it is an expensive item such as a camera, hi-fi, washing machine, or such-like, but there are still lots of people who look for guidance, either on a conscious or subconscious level when they visit a shop or showroom, and a good salesperson will help them make up their mind with proper and sound advice. Whether there is a bias towards a particular brand or product will depend on what's on offer, but as long as there is no misinformation, the salesperson is doing his or her job by pointing out advantages and disadvantages.
Sales jobs can be rewarding, not only financially, but also from the satisfaction of recommending products that properly fulfill the consumer's needs, and this may require a considerable and broad level of knowledge on the part of the salesperson. It is no good going into hi-fi retail, for example, unless you are familiar with most of the established brand names and also the technical side of audio and video. There is a lot to learn with any such specialised markets and a consumer will not be impressed by a salesman who can't answer technical queries.
When looking for a job in sales, it is important to know what your strengths are, and what your interests are; whether sports, cars, engineering, stamp collecting, or whatever. It is better to sell something that you are enthusiastic about if at all possible. If you are selling a commodity such as double-glazing then the technique of selling may become more important than the product itself. Most people would not be able or interested to try to distinguish between the products of different double-glazing firms. In these cases it all comes down to price and level of service when the consumer makes his choice.
Whatever the product, a career in sales can be a fascinating and challenging one for the right personality. You probably need to know about the psychology of selling and the various techniques employed, but you also need to be fairly persistent and thick skinned. A career in sales is not for everyone, but for the right person it can be terrific.
