Read books and magazines about sales to learn more about the field. One useful book is Sales 101: From Finding Leads and Closing Techniques to Retaining Customers and Growing Your Business, an Essential Primer on How to Sell, by Wendy Connick. Some high schools have sales or marketing clubs you can join, and you should take as many classes in these fields as possible.
Develop a real or imaginary product or service, and create a pitch that explains what it is, what it does, and how it could help a customer save time or money. Present this pitch to your marketing teacher, your parents, or friends who are interested in marketing and sales. Ask them to grade your presentation and to tell you what made them want to or not want to purchase your product or service.
Participate in internships, volunteerships, and part-time positions in sales and marketing to build your skills, learn about careers in the field, and build your network.
- Antiques and Art Dealers
- Auctioneers
- Automobile Sales Workers
- Automotive Dealership Sales Managers
- Brand Ambassadors
- Chief Customer Officers
- Client Services Managers
- Copywriters
- Cosmetics Sales Representatives
- Customer Success Managers
- Data Scientists
- Demographers
- Digital Designers
- Digital Marketing Workers
- Directors of Corporate Sponsorship
- Energy Brokers
- Export-Import Specialists
- Financial Services Brokers
- Franchise Owners
- Gallery Owners and Directors
- Graphic Designers
- Green Marketers
- Growth Hackers
- Hedge Fund Investor Relations Specialists
- Information Brokers
- Internet Marketing and Advertising Consultants
- Internet Store Managers and Entrepreneurs
- Market Research Analysts
- Marketing Consultants
- Marketing Managers
- Media Relations Specialists
- Mutual Fund Marketing Specialists
- Mutual Fund Wholesalers
- Online Gambling Specialists
- Online Reputation Managers
- Product Analysts
- Product Development Directors
- Product Management Directors
- Public Opinion Researchers
- Real Estate Agents and Brokers
- Renewable Energy Site Assessors
- Reservation and Ticket Agents
- Retail Sales Workers
- Sales Engineers
- Sales Managers
- Sales Representatives
- Salesforce Developers
- Social Media Influencers
- Social Media Workers
- Statisticians
- Telemarketers
- Travel Agents
- User Experience Designers