Exploring Sales as a Career? 7 Pro Tips to Avoid Career Stagnation

Recognising that your sales career has become stagnant is a first step toward making changes that can help you rejuvenate your career. Then, you can take various steps to change your career around and feel enthused about your work, even if you are bored or underappreciated.

It takes patience and self-awareness to break out of career stagnation. In this post, we'll go through the signs and causes of sales career stagnation and how to get out of it.

Sales as a Career: What is Career Stagnation?

When you don't feel engaged in your work or profession, it is called career stagnation. It often happens when you don't perceive positive changes in your career or are concerned about losing your professional skills.

The following are some signs that you're in stagnation in your sales career:

• You're bored all the time and constantly mull about quitting.
• Even though you've moved jobs several times, your pay and title have remained the same.
• Your performance reports are always satisfactory but never exceptional.
• In months, you haven't learnt anything new.
• Your future, as well as the future of your company, is uncertain.
• People who were employed after you have already advanced in their careers.
• You feel constantly defeated or enraged.
• Growth and leadership opportunities are rare.

Causes for Sales Career Stagnation

Several things might cause stagnation in your job:

• No opportunity for learning: Your skills may become obsolete if your current position does not allow you to develop and progress.
• Overloaded with work: Are you a talented and skilled employee who goes unnoticed at work because you're overworked? You are, without a doubt, at the wrong place and playing the wrong role. Organisations respect reliable personnel because they are valuable assets.
• No raises in pay or promotions: If your income hasn't increased in years, it could indicate that you've stayed at a company for too long.
• Organisational losses: If your current company is losing money, it can cause professional stagnation and indicate that you should make a change and explore chances elsewhere.
• No opportunities for growth: Career stagnation can occur if you have reached the pinnacle of your career advancement within your organisation or if there are no foreseeable opportunities for advancement.

How to Overcome A Sales Career Stagnation

It's easy to become complacent in a job that makes you 'feel at ease.' You may have decided not to look any further because of the job's perks and remuneration benefits. 

However, years later, you may find yourself unhappy with a job you don't enjoy or have become bored with, which isn't getting you anywhere in your career.

Instead of regretting later in your career when it will be nearly hard to change gears and alter professional pathways, continuous monitoring and skill development would be the wiser choice to make. 

The mantras to remember to acquire what you want in a fast-paced employment market that places a high value on skill sets are 'staying current' and' staying ahead.'

Because, despite how uncomfortable it may be, learning new skills is the only way to stay relevant in today's work world.

Here are some suggestions for getting out of stagnation in your career:

1. Set a goal

You must have a future goal to avoid career stagnation. Consider your future self and how you wish to view yourself there. Knowing your qualifications and interests might help you determine what goals you need to meet to make your future vision a reality. Then, choose one goal that you can begin working on right away.

2. Update your skills

Keeping your professional skills up to date is essential. You'll need to develop new skills to stay competitive in your career and work. A person who stands out from the crowd has a better chance of progressing. Look for unique skills or program-specific knowledge that can help you break free from stagnation in your career.

3. Make a list of your resources

Make a list of your skills and the ones that are now required to compete in the industry. Then, determine which skills you already have and still need to learn.

4. Ask for more challenges

While you want to feel at ease and capable in your job, staying at ease for too long can indicate that you haven't progressed. So instead, contribute to a new project or ask for more responsibilities to push yourself.

Taking on new challenges and risks enables you to put yourself to the test and determine whether or not you are delighted with your job path. Solving a problem can also be stimulating, giving you something to look forward to each day.

Always keep your superiors up to date about your aspirations and professional goals. Request a one-on-one appointment to discuss your professional development and receive feedback and guidance. Find out whether you have any additional skills, expertise, or certifications that would help you advance in your career.

5. Find a mentor/coach

Finding a mentor or coach with whom you connect is difficult, and understanding the difference between a mentor and a coach is crucial.

A mentor is typically a senior professional who donates their time to lend their skills and knowledge to someone more junior in their career, leading and advising them over time. 

Relationships between mentors and mentees can develop naturally through a professional relationship or a formalised program.

A coach, on the other hand, is typically a qualified professional who charges a fee and asks powerful questions to assist an individual in setting and achieving goals.

6. Give back

Look for opportunities to help others both within and outside the workplace. Determine how you might help others within your own company. 

Maybe you could assist in the planning of a company or departmental function. Perhaps you can mentor more junior-level staff while honing your leadership skills. 

Taking the initiative to help people and your company quickly attracts managers' attention and demonstrates your willingness to go above and beyond.

Consider giving back to the community outside your company as well. Check with a local charitable organisation to see if they require assistance. When you volunteer in your community, you can learn various skills that will help you in your personal and professional lives, such as event planning, fundraising, and communication.

7. Network more

Networking can lead to opportunities both within and outside your organisation. For example, as you develop stronger ties with others in your field, you may discover that others begin to respect you and go to you for advice. Just one good connection can lead to major career advancement, whether within your own company or in an entirely new field.

Final Thoughts

Make a name for yourself as someone prepared to go above and beyond to improve the organisation's performance. Ask questions to find out how you may enhance your workplace performance. 

Also, inquire about any other skills linked to your work that you might be able to acquire to help the organisation achieve its objectives.

Approach a supervisor or another company leader who is familiar with your job and work ethic and can assist you in making a case for why you should be promoted.

If you are looking forward to beginning your sales career, we at Juno School of Business invite you to start the journey with us.

In an eight-week interactive online session, we teach all you need to know to begin a successful sales profession (and get hired). Start your application now!