Telesales jobs. How to get one without telesales experience?

Got2Save

I have applied a lot for telesales and call centre jobs, been to a couple of interviews but I never seem to get success. I have had a period of unemployment, but currently am working on a local farm part time. I want to try get into call centre work because it pays decent and they usually have overtime and shift work so I can work more hours which is what I want.

A lot of the vacancies I apply for say "1 year sales experience" or similar, and the ones which provide training still require some type of sales experience, or if they don't then they interview me but I am always unsuccessful. What would be the best way to get a telesales/call centre job?

lincroft1710

Do you have a thick skin? Do you like being sworn at? Can you sell Krap to people who don't want it? Can you lie to people that TPS doesn't apply as this isn't a marketing call? Can you turn 10% of your calls into sales? Can you cope with a demented, psychotic boss? Can you achieve unachievable results?

If the answer to any of these is NO then telesales is not for you

[Deleted User]

It has been missed but you can spell? top sellers often can't!

Confidence and being able to charm instantly goes a long way. Are you going for inbound or outbound? - I think my first get into telesales job was a PPI company - but I won't lie to you 3 months later it was over, sadly it didn't stop the delusion for a good couple of years just on such a short spell, PPI 'marketing' company number 2 was an eye opener 3 christmases ago - I gradually learnt thanks and in ore to interview and job hunting programs on TV I am a 'build up go getter' in the sales sense :o:o thankfully and would rather use my customer service skill set any day.

Getting the product right plays a mega massive part I'd say.

There are books you can read and you can learn to say the right things to pass a role play at interview, but when it comes to day in, day out? (this always got me) if it is not naturally in you - it won't be a career so I say aim for the softer side.

I remember once turning up to a customer service job interview and being told only a sales position was available and that was with an insurance company, so it might pay to check out what appears to be customer service role is also bordering on sales and get in that way, if you must.

Good luck to you. Personally I much prefer logistics complaint management now, each to their own.

motorguy

Got2Save wrote: »

I have applied a lot for telesales and call centre jobs, been to a couple of interviews but I never seem to get success. I have had a period of unemployment, but currently am working on a local farm part time. I want to try get into call centre work because it pays decent and they usually have overtime and shift work so I can work more hours which is what I want.

A lot of the vacancies I apply for say "1 year sales experience" or similar, and the ones which provide training still require some type of sales experience, or if they don't then they interview me but I am always unsuccessful. What would be the best way to get a telesales/call centre job?

Ok, my tuppenceworth....

I wouldnt look specifically for telesales. Initially look for customer service roles in call centres. These are easier to get into and less stressful. If you then think you might like telesales, then you can easily move.

Customer service experience is easy - you're working on a farm - dealing with "customers"? people coming to the farm to buy stuff, taking stuff to market, working with people, working as part of a team, being flexible, etc. If you've previously worked in a shop or filling station, thats another easy one for "customer service" experience.

If you're getting interviews and not getting taken further thats a different problem - they're seeing you as a viable candidate, but you're not doing something right at interview.

Also, for info, there are various types of call centre, with various levels of difficulty to get in, as follows :-

• Your typical outsourcing callcentre. Probably have various contracts for various companies and should be easy to pick out. These are the easiest to get in to. Apply for these first
• Inhouse call centres. For example British Gas might have an in house call centre. Not as stressful and typically people will stay longer.
• "Specialist(?)" Call Centres - for banks, finance institutions, etc. Trickier to get in to and will probably want recent relevant experience.

Failing at interview is worrying though. Have you asked for feedback?

motorguy

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Do you have a thick skin? Do you like being sworn at? Can you sell Krap to people who don't want it? Can you lie to people that TPS doesn't apply as this isn't a marketing call? Can you turn 10% of your calls into sales? Can you cope with a demented, psychotic boss? Can you achieve unachievable results?

If the answer to any of these is NO then telesales is not for you

Harsh but probably true...

I'd look at customer service work - inbound stuff specifically.

Much more relaxed, and you're helping people who have rang in with a problem.