Getting your start in sales can be challenging. Not only do you have to learn about your company and industry, you also have to learn about sales itself. No matter what you studied in college, sales is a field that requires a ton of tactical knowledge and hands-on experience.
So, if you want to start a career in sales, it’s essential to find a company that helps you bridge the gap between college graduate and full-fledged sales professional.
iSolved Human Capital Management—the leader in tech-enabled people management solutions—is one of those companies. And to get an inside look at why and how they strive to make their entry-level opportunities so engaging for new grads, we spoke to their Sales team’s leader, Stu Story.
1. iSolved’s Training Program Will Get You Ramped In Just 90 Days
The training program is the key to any entry-level sales role, and the Inside Sales Executives at iSolved go through a program designed and overseen by Vice President of Sales, Stu Story.
“All new Sales Executives will go through a thorough training process that includes a blended environment of classroom learning, online training through our iSolved University learning management system, as well as hands-on training and role-plays with leaders throughout the organization,” Story explains.
“This ensures that a new Sales Executive is fully prepared and ready to hit the ground running ASAP,” Story says, which is important, because when you work in sales, your contribution enables you to make more money and move up in the organization.
That’s why Story and the iSolved team designed the program to get new Inside Sales Executives fully ramped by their 90-day mark. After that point, you’re off to the races, helping to grow the business and advance your career.
2. You’ll Be Assigned A Mentor
Mentorship is essential—especially early on in your career. In fact, 75 percent of executives reported that finding a mentor early on in their career was critical to their success.
And it makes sense, too. Having a successful veteran to show you the ropes, introduce you to senior leaders, and help you advance is much more effective than attempting to do those things alone. That’s why Story’s team at iSolved assigns every new Inside Sales Executive a mentor.
“Our training program relies on close working relationships with teammates and peers. Fostering a solid mentorship program is vital to the success of our team,” he says.
And the emphasis on career development doesn’t stop with new hires. The iSolved team sees the mentorship program as a valuable proving ground for new team leaders, too.
“Not only does it shorten the ramp time for new hires as they enter the company,” Story explains. “It also helps the mentors build leadership skills they can carry forward as their career develops.”
3. You’ll Have A Clear Path Forward
What makes people happy in their jobs? According to the Harvard Business Review, it’s a clear career path. And that’s what Story’s team at iSolved has created for its entry-level sales team.
“Success on the Inside Sales team can open many opportunities throughout the organization,” he says.
One option is moving up into a leadership role in sales. If you’ve got a passion for business development and an interest in management, this path is something that your sales team managers can help you accomplish.
If you’re more interested in building business relationships in person or over a longer period of time, there are also roles in field sales or account management, Story says. The Inside Sales program is an important way for the company not only to grow its business, but also to find its future leaders.
Essentially, when you’re hired at iSolved, they’re looking to give you more than just your first role. They’re leaders in helping other companies capitalize on the potential of their people—and they do the same for their employees.
Ready to start your sales career? Check out iSolved on WayUp!
