Do you think sales is the right move for you? If so, starting a career in sales at 40 is possible.
If you’re feeling uncertain about your career, you’re not alone. Most people ages 40 to 50 and up feeling like it is too late in their lives to make a career change. Starting a sales career at 40 is never too far from reality.
Instead of wondering if a late career in sales is possible, ask yourself this. What is stopping you? Companies are not going to toss your resume because of your age. There are laws against age discrimination.
The only things between you and starting a sales career is a little bit of time and motivation. Well, you’ve already got the time, and here is the motivation.
What You Should Know About Starting a Sales Career at 40
Starting a sales career at 40 can feel overwhelming. The challenge usually lies in figuring out where exactly to begin. This is what you should know about navigating a sales career at an older age.
Use Your Network
Starting a sales career at 40 means doing a lot of networking. And we are not just saying this to harp on building relationships. People are one of the keys to furthering yourself along in a sales role. Networking is a genuinely important part of the process.
It always helps to have other professionals in your circle who can support you. Who knows? They might even have job recommendations or know someone who will connect you with a decision maker. Join LinkedIn and get active if you aren’t on there already.
Your Time Is Worth More Than Money
Obviously, everyone needs money, but there is nothing more valuable than time. Money is energy, and you’ll always receive more of it when needed. Your paycheck will come every month, but time is always fleeing- always diminishing. And you cannot replace time.
That is one reason why it is not wise to wait for the perfect opportunity to start a career in sales. If you are always waiting on the “right time” to start, then you’re losing time that could have been spent taking action. Ask yourself these questions and be honest with yourself about your career.
Realistically, there is never going to be a perfect time to start any job. Think of it this way. Let’s say you and your friend started job searching at the same time. They started applying to jobs before you- without wasting time- and got hired a few weeks later.
Meanwhile, you’re still sitting around waiting for a good chance to start applying. No job, weeks of time wasted. Which situation would you rather be in?
By prioritizing your time above money, your opportunity for success is maximized. And you’ll reap the benefits of forward-moving momentum.
Mindset Matters
One of the biggest mistakes people make when they are 40+ is forgetting to adapt. Starting a career in sales at 40, 50, or even 60 involves a lot of mindset work. Think personal development, self-reflection, and building an internal framework for healthy thinking.
Ask yourself this question. Do you believe it is possible? Do you believe in yourself to be successful in sales? Sitting down with yourself and gauging where your mindset is will make a difference in your attitude.
Upgrade Your Resume
This tip for starting a career in sales at 40 is pretty straightforward. Your resume should be a perfect reflection of what you’ve accomplished so far.
If you have not been on the job hunt for a while, it’s likely you need to update your CV. Don’t just limit your resume with job experience.
Dip into any personal projects you’ve completed. What have you done outside of the office that demonstrates your expertise? When the time comes, submit your resume to recruiters.
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
You will have to leave your comfort zone behind if you want to begin a career in sales at 40. Even though you desire a change and a new career path, you’re still in a comfort zone. A feeling or place in life that is familiar.
If you want to succeed, you will have to put yourself out there. Attend professional events. Be the first to reach out to people. Do something you haven’t done in a while.
The point here is to escape from the comfortable in order to grow.
Sales Recruiters Chicago Works with Recruiters & Job Seekers
Are you looking for a job in the sales industry in Chicago? Our team can help you find the perfect sales position that aligns with your objective, future goals, and current skill set.
If you are trying to fill a sales-based role within your Chicago company, Sales Recruiters Chicago can also help you hire the perfect candidate. We also have a Dallas location if you live in Texas.
Learn more about us to hire talent or get hired sooner rather than later.
