Can introverts be good sales people in a chain store?

[Bethany22]

Do you have any positive or negative stories of introvert sales people? like in a clothing store or bookstore?

[MCheetah]

I'm an introvert who did sales and cold calling in 2009-2010. It's extremely rare, but possible. For like 97% of the time though, no. When I did sales, I faked being extroverted and like I actually liked being around people, when I don't. It's very hard to keep up such mental energy like that. I was a mediocre salesman, at best.

The thing about sales is, if anyone actually needed it, you wouldn't need a salesperson for it. It'd sell itself. That's why they don't have toilet paper and food salespeople. They just tell you "Hey, this exists" and people go buy it. If you need a salesperson for something, then there's almost a guarantee that you don't need what they're selling. Aside from maybe used cars or something.

It's hard for introverts to be professional, legal con artists, cause that's all sales is: scamming people into buying useless sh*t they don't need.

[Bethany22]

I agree completely. Another thing one obviously doesn't need is makeup, because there are a lot of sales people in stores for that

[ManOnFire]

I've met plenty of introverted sales associates, and have worked with some too when I used to be in retail. They can be just fine as long as they 'fake it till they make it' by being talkative for their job/customers, and being introverted when they go home.

A lot of sales associates I've met are ones you can tell are very introverted but use talkative customer service because it's their job, so I don't try to strike up conversations with them like I do other sales workers. I just keep it light and sweet. But they're doing just fine to me.

[Bethany22]

What types of conversations do you try to strike up with sales people?

[ManOnFire]

It can be any random topic. I'm one of those people who knows how to start a conversation out of almost anything, which in a lot of situations tends to diffuse people's own nervousness and makes them more relaxed.

[Bethany22]

Cool :)

[caring__1]

The key difference between introverts and extroverts is introverts thrive on structure, while extroverts tend to feel limited or controlled by structure. Within one's structure, introverts can appear very outgoing, though that doesn't make them extroverts. If you're excited about the product you are selling, you can actually be a better sales person than an extrovert. You'll believe in the product and share all the subtleties of the product an extrovert would tend to overlook. If the store is general sales, and there's nothing you feel passionate about, extroverts will tend to have more success as salespeople, as you'll be more likely to feel like a fish out of water.

[JDavid25]

I'm sure there's a lot of good introverted sales people.. All it takes is to like people and be confident in talking to them and telling them about a product.. Introverts can like people, and being around certain amounts of people for certain amounts of time.

[Anonymous]

Oof. I'm capable, but goddamn does it wear me down so fast. I usually try to be in the back as much as possible in those jobs. I'll take stocker, truck unloader, or janitorial work before I work in a situation where I have to confront people and convince them to buy things. I also am annoyed by the typical salesperson, so I'd eventually get fed up with myself for annoying people lol

[Guy13]

Yes. Best sales people I know are introverts in MRI and PHARMA

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

Only if they have knowledge of what they are trying to sell. For example, I am into tech, so I would also make up a good sales executive. Engineering has taught more about presentation than the actual knowledge lol!

[AimeeKyle]

Maybe. It depends if the individual can be passionate about a the product or products being sold.

[lightbulb27]

Yes but they may need to get out of their shell some.

[Pudsmucker]

I'm an introvert. I have not had any kind of good experiences as a salesman. It's very discouraging. You're standing around waiting for somebody to come in to your store to buy something.

[This_Is_My_Opinion8]

Sure. You just get there, no small talk, present the product, "do you want it?"

Some clients like that.

[pizzalovershouse]

Not less they get counseling to learn o be more out going

[AngryCarl]

No, introverts can't sell anything and they shouldn't try.

[CubaPirate]

Probably if the things are already selling themselves

[jcampbell115]

If they practice speaking to people

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

It might be hard on them to do so.

[Nik1hil]

Yes, but need strategy

[FunkyMonkee]

It depends on the kind of chains they sell.

[Debbie14217]

yes working for commision?