INTJ in sales

[childofprodigy]

Do you think you would do well in Sales jobs in general? Why or why not...

Do you think you have what it takes to become a good salesperson?

[Warrior]

I'm not in sales. I have had the opportunity multiple times, but turned them down. Sales is something I would do if I had to, but I have purposefully steered my career away from it. I think I'd do okay, but I have had no training for it and I don't think I would enjoy convincing someone they needed something. I much prefer being the one buying the product or service.

[wittykitty]

Do you think you would do well in Sales jobs in general? Why or why not...

Do you think you have what it takes to become a good salesperson?

I worked in retail my sophomore and junior years in college, it was the bane of my existence. It wasn't particularly horrible (I think sales on the phone would have been worse) but now that I'm done, I'd never go back. I just couldn't understand why I had to convince someone to buy a shirt or not- if you like it- GET IT, god.

Anyway, no I don't have what it takes to be a good sales person. I do not posses that charming and manipulative selling quality at all. I was polite and helpful, but generally not convincing.

[IcNjThJ]

I do it now part time and I have to admit, I have seen my social skills improve as a result. I do pretty good too. And I hate it but it's making me money at the moment while I'm trying to build my business.

If you're talking about in-person sales it might not be a bad thing to get out there and continuously talk to people and kind of develop your social skills. It helps to be a bit outward directed, trying to understand the needs of the customer you're trying to sucker...I mean sell.

It doesn't matter if you're an INTJ or not, just a have a plan of attack and a script to follow and you can do ok. Even the extraverts do it the same way, they just follow the same script over and over again.

[Thinker]

Part of my role as a CPA was to sell. I was good at it. It helps to have faith in your product, and to know you are helping the client.

Accountants aren't usually good salespeople....I would guess around 10%. They tend to get too involved in the detail and can't see that the client is not listening. Like anything....listen (to the customer) and learn.

If you want to be effective in any role you should learn how to sell. CEO's sell concepts to investors, banks, governments and other stakeholders. If you are trying to implement a new process or system...you will need to sell it.

Selling and negotiating skills are very important.

[QuantumEnigma]

If you want to be effective in any role you should learn how to sell. CEO's sell concepts to investors, banks, governments and other stakeholders. If you are trying to implement a new process or system...you will need to sell it.

I agree entirely -- but how does one go about learning how to sell?

If I believe in a concept/product/process, then it is easy for me to be confident & articulate - which seems to persuade a decent majority of people right there. The trouble is when I am lukewarm on an idea, but still have to get it implemented (typical work situation).

[Thinker]

I agree entirely -- but how does one go about learning how to sell?

If I believe in a concept/product/process, then it is easy for me to be confident & articulate - which seems to persuade a decent majority of people right there. The trouble is when I am lukewarm on an idea, but still have to get it implemented (typical work situation).

It seems you probably already have good selling skills.
If the idea is only lukewarm in your mind then something is wrong.....

Belief to me was the key and I was in a position to be able to re-design a product/service if it wasn't working.

[Ambra]

I would be terrible in sales. Terrible.

[Sariax]

I've had the opportunity to explore the sale's world a bit: women's clothing, men's shoes, electronics, all the way to prom dresses. Although I felt disconnected with the companies/employees the entire time, I was always top sales in whatever store I was in; broke sales records. The stores always tried to force me to do the obsessive approach where you hassle the customer. However, I just gave the customer truthful information on the product a was very direct and honest.

[Tactical Panda]

I did sales because I knew or strongly suspected that I was going to be bad at it and wanted to overcome the challenge.

In hindsight I found it very worthwhile, although I also found it somewhat painful.

I wouldn't pick a career based on conventional sales, though. Its seems like a good or useful place to visit but not a place I would want to stay.

In terms of how INTJs in sales may fare, I ended up doing reasonably well at it to the point the boss was more impressed with what I did than I was. For what its worth.

[Innovate]

Would be terrible in sales... I don't give 1/10th of a .... what people buy.

[blatimir]

Had a few jobs in sales - they definitely were very influential in my life and helped round out and solidify some of my weaknesses. There is definitely some very beneficial life experience to be had from sales especially in the realm of communication and more specifically how to tailor your communication to your audience.

I absolutely detested sales. I could not get out of the mind set that I was pushing things on people they did not need and it made it really hard for me to get motivated to get it done.

When I worked in a bank during my undergrad if I was able to identify a problem or recommend a service/product/sale that would actually be beneficial to the client I would have absolutely no problem promoting the sale.

In a different job, as a commercial real estate agent, I was in pure commission sales and had to do frequent cold calling to businesses not even to make sales but for the purposes of business development / harvesting a relationship that could lead to future business. I loved so many things about that job and the industry but I could not wrap my head around the cold calling. It always came down to I felt like I was pushing stuff on people that they did not need - if a need was clear I never had problems.

The more abstract the sale the harder I think it would be for me.

Do not let all the above dissuade you if you are consider a position in sales. It is very subjective to the company/product/position etc. and I would not lump sales into one category.

There is a spectrum of sales - from cold calling commission to things that are more structured.

Consider a healthcare professional - they are in a sense making sales or using sales skill but they are presenting a patient with an option, perhaps multiple options focusing on the strengths/drawbacks of each one while providing their recommendation/personal expertise. Ultimately, the patient has the final say and can ask for more options, choose an option or choose no options. This is still sales in a sense - but it is different and for me sales of these types are no problem what-so-ever. Especially, if they increase the quality of life that person.

Contrary to the mantra that you can do anything you put your mind to - not everyone can be and make it in sales. You need to have the right personality, mindset, attitude, thick skin, and the dedication to learn. Experience often the biggest asset when it comes to sales. Learning the skills of sale is typically the hardest part and it is mostly learned or refined through trial & error.

If you can find something that you can be in the right mind frame it will help alleviate a lot of the common issues. In sales you will face rejection - a lot of rejection so you need to be able to not let that discourage you either.

[Traverser]

I'm in sales, and I've done everything from cold-calling to customer negotiations and pitches. Furthermore, I'm always honest and direct, which is unsurprising given my INTJ trait. This works for me. However, many, if not most, companies push their sales associates to follow certain scripts to the letter, situational-judgements be damned! This one-size-fits-all approach is is not only frustrating to us thinkers, as it can affect our bottom line regardless of performance, but it also runs counter to our genuineness.

So in a nutshell, for those of us INTJs in sales, we approach the job like a straightforward science as opposed to a religion. Unfortunatelely, the latter is more prevalent; just go to your local bookstore and count the number of worthless management books and sales how-tos.

[curiousgeorge01]

Good service is the key to being a good salesman whether it's selling houses, clothes, computers, cars etc. Knowing they could have someone to speak to if something goes wrong or someone who empathizes I think is most of sales.

Either that or you're just a cold hearted snake who know how to tell lies upon lies to cover yourself like Madoff.

Or you have such a great product that it sells itself.

So it's either a mix of product and service or lies. The only thing you control are service and lies.

[zwsplac]

Although it would depend on what I was selling, I would be a decent salesman. I can't really do the fast talking sales pitch, but I would be good at analyzing a person's situation, and pointing them to the product that would do best for them. I worked retail for a year and didn't do a half bad job, although my no-nonsense INTJ demeanor irritated a couple customers. If I lost my job and needed another one quickly, I wouldn't think twice about working at a retail store again.

[kaa325]

I'm in sales, project management, and business dev for an internet company, and I make six figures.

I would say that I was lucky in that I found a company that holds true to honest, straightforward, and direct communication, and that always supports its reps in the field.

Having said that, I started off in cold-calling and I still cold-call daily. I don't like doing it. But I make good money at a pretty young age (early-mid 20s).

I knew I always wanted to own my own business and that sales was a potential path to get me closer to it. Sales would be an invaluable skill.

I think sales for an INTJ is more difficult than other types, but I think we could be especially good at it if the following conditions are met:

1) The correct support systems (psychological and physical) are in place
2) The ideas/concepts/products that we sell are intellectually stimulating/ or complex
3) The people we sell to are equally intellectual individuals
4) The INTJ in questions is willing to endure

This is my brief opinion in just thinking about this for the past 5 or so minutes.

[Noiresque]

I'm in sales, project management, and business dev for an internet company, and I make six figures.

I would say that I was lucky in that I found a company that holds true to honest, straightforward, and direct communication, and that always supports its reps in the field.

Having said that, I started off in cold-calling and I still cold-call daily. I don't like doing it. But I make good money at a pretty young age (early-mid 20s).

I knew I always wanted to own my own business and that sales was a potential path to get me closer to it. Sales would be an invaluable skill.

I think sales for an INTJ is more difficult than other types, but I think we could be especially good at it if the following conditions are met:

1) The correct support systems (psychological and physical) are in place
2) The ideas/concepts/products that we sell are intellectually stimulating/ or complex
3) The people we sell to are equally intellectual individuals
4) The INTJ in questions is willing to endure

This is my brief opinion in just thinking about this for the past 5 or so minutes.

True enough. I work for a computer company as sales, product & marketing manager and executive assistant. Service is the key, products are the means. Once you learn to do sales and have success in retaining customer, the next step is to manage up to keep the managers honest.

[Paji eh Wong]

I used to do sales and marketing of market research services. I was OK, but it was always going to be a grind for me. But I learned a lot.

Be aware that sales has a low end and a high end. The high end can be very high in terms of compensation. If you want to make a career out of it, aim high.

[Laura C]

Was in sales and did okay. But I easily got bored once I've learned all there is to learn about the company, its products and processes. Marketing on the other hand has more things to teach. Will be returning to a role with some sales and marketing thrown in.

[Collide]

I'm horrible at selling things. When the opportunity for fundraisers arises, I usually become optimistic and volunteer thinking that I'll improve my sales abilities. Usually, I end up losing money and just buying the product myself so I can reprieve myself from the torture. I've since vowed off fundraisers involving sales.

[Thinktress]

I was in sales for ten years, and I was fantastic, even owning my own business at the end. You have to be YOU and still sell things. Whereas others schmoozed and did all of these other things, I eventually gained clientele because I was dependable, honest, and sincere. I didn't overprice. People knew that I would be honest about delivery times and problems and that I would fix issues. A lot of times, they came to me after going with the extroverted schmoozers because they were tired of being schmoozed but not really served.

I was rather abrupt though. I'd hear other people call up and ask about the family and what they did this weekend, and I'm just not good at that. I was more like, "Hi Tom, I have got x at y price and I have two truckloads. Do you want it or not?"

p.s. Also, I was organized, so I didn't have to call back and forth ten hundred times to complete transactions. I got all the info I knew the client would want before calling him/her.

---------- Post added 05-12-2012 at 03:33 PM ----------

Furthermore, I'm always honest and direct, which is unsurprising given my INTJ trait. This works for me.

^ This. That's exactly how I was, and that's what worked for me.

I will say though that I put in LONG hours in sales and it's kind of a feast or famine deal if you're commission/mostly commission. Spending that long every day talking to people makes you a real zombie and not much fun for your family when you get home. At that point, you just want to be totally alone to recover.

[calculator]

I worked for a big box store in university. I was well liked by customers and staff because I was straightforward and always meant what I said. I suggested supplementary products people actually needed, but I refused to push the store credit cards. In the end I quit when I found a better job more related to my studies, but the year I spent in retail sales was an experience that probably helped me overall.

[greyangel]

I attempted sales and it was a major FAIL. I am not a "shmoozer".

[DesertKnight]

No, just no...by all the power of all the gods no. The introvert is strong with this one...

[Samson86]

i have worked in sales for most my working career and i am great it.

i believe it just comes down to the fundamentals.

1.Constantly improving your communication skills (body language included)

2.Lead generation

3.looking the part, basically just looking neat and tidy respectable.

4.selling products that are price right you will never sell a carrot at 6.99 a kilo if everybody else sells it at 2.99 a kilo

i like being a salesperson because of the money and the networking everyone has a story and people love to talk about themselves listen learn the difference between a open question and a closed question they are fantastic tools once you learn when to effectively use them.

sales is like a game to me and i like to win and like in every job you have your bad days and your good days but for the most part sales jobs can be alot of fun and i would call myself a big introvert i get really tired after human interaction so i will go recharge for 10 or minutes every 45mins lol.

what i have found is there are alot of sales people that have no integrity and will try and compete with you and crush you because they are haters but know this most don't last in their roles or while you are moving up to better careers they are still losers :)

---------- Post added 05-17-2012 at 11:02 PM ----------

forgot #5 talk to everyone and i mean everyone, a lot of the time it is the person you least expect to buy from you that will be great customers never trick yourself into thinking that person won't buy because *enter whatever reason* that is usually you just not believing in yourself and having a crappy day.

[Marcus Septim]

I'd hate the whole concept
I don't wanna convince you buying anything,i don't give a flying fuck

I'd be terrible at convincing people and it would also being soul scaring for me

It would have to be the last job on the earth for me to try it and even then i would be reluctant of the results

[SoundofSilence]

I am too objective to be a good salesman.

[FruitLoop]

I work ok in a sales team as the "bomber". My job is to wait quietly, collect data, and analyse. At the end, if the deal cannot close it's my job to "bomb" the conversation with a pretty blunt closer using hefty logic, and try to shock the target into agreeing. It's often highly amusing. Well, afterwards its highly amusing.. lol

[wrongjargon]

I like focusing on the bad things first before working my way up to the good things. That said, it's hard to sell a product by introducing its bad points first. Besides, if I don't like or won't use a product myself, I won't be convincing enough to sell it to anyone. I am terrible at that kind of thing.

[Artio]

I'd hate it and I'm pretty sure I couldn't find motivation to do it... so, I'd suck.

[nashburn8]

I used to do telemarketing and I fucking hated it. I also sold shoes for 2 weeks at Payless- worst gig ever. I hate trying to talk to shitheads that I would normally never converse with.

[samschaf]

I worked in a bookstore for 2 years in high school. I signed up for the reading part; forcing people into memberships and promotions was a little draining at times. I did well overall as I was keen and positive but long shifts left me needing some introvert recovery time.

[Chameleon]

It will eat your soul...but if you are okay with that. My INTJs become very efficient in sales, learning quickly, and excelling. They love money and chase it like a starved lion after prey. However, it is my belief that INTJs are far too self critical for the ups and downs of sales; having trouble letting go of failure that likely was not their fault in the first place. It is definitely a growing experience for them; but a lot (as usual) depends on the components of their bosses.

[kaa325]

It will eat your soul...but if you are okay with that. My INTJs become very efficient in sales, learning quickly, and excelling. They love money and chase it like a starved lion after prey. However, it is my belief that INTJs are far too self critical for the ups and downs of sales; having trouble letting go of failure that likely was not their fault in the first place. It is definitely a growing experience for them; but a lot (as usual) depends on the components of their bosses.

I agree with you. It was one of the hardest things I had to learn during my experience and I still have a hard time dealing with it. In fact, I'm looking very closely at my self-criticism to make sure that I don't go too far down that dark path of everything being my fault.

[Sharp]

As part of my university co-op program, my first work term was a sales position at an Online software firm. I accepted the job because I had little work experience prior and couldn't be too picky.

Much of our success hinged on building rapport with people over the phone. I generally detest small talk and having conversations that lead nowhere...so it was a painful 4 months for me.

Still, despite my predisposition to fail horribly at sales (which I did for the first month...grand total of $0), I got cheesed by the fact that I was the last of 8 sales reps. So I actually made a script for myself and just ran it through 50 calls a day until it became semi-natural. I ended up doing alright in the end...about the upper-middle of the pack, but it actually took effort...something that I'm not used to having to put in.

[Alberto]

it seems we INTJs hate selling stuff.
I can only confirm that.

I should tell big lies and pose in order to sell.
I should even flatter your worst sides, or ignore something totally unintelligent (anathema!) that you may have said.
I should keep smiling also if I have nothing to smile about.
I should go along well with prejudices.
I should small talk and respect every given social codex.

I don't know how to do all those things, duh! I am used to keep my mind as tidy as I can!

---------- Post added 05-26-2012 at 03:23 AM ----------


If you want to be effective in any role you should learn how to sell. CEO's sell concepts to investors, banks, governments and other stakeholders. If you are trying to implement a new process or system...you will need to sell it.

Selling and negotiating skills are very important.

well, that's simple: I do the whole hypercomplicated crazy system.
They do the negotiation and the sell!

[RedN]

All I have to do is lie my ass off about what Im selling right? eh... yeah? hahahaha

[Fecal McAngry]

I'd hate the whole concept
I don't wanna convince you buying anything,i don't give a flying fuck

I'd be terrible at convincing people and it would also being soul scaring for me

It would have to be the last job on the earth for me to try it and even then i would be reluctant of the results

INTJs have a few things going for them in sales--

they can be very diligent, disciplined and hard-working, and...

they don't tend to be terribly hurt by rejection in this arena.

BUT...

Sales favors

1) Those with a preference for Fe, and
2) Extroverts

[Samoan Corleone]

I worked in telesales for three months. Results were a bit slow on my first day (and by slow, I mean completely blowing our equivalent of the Glengarry leads), but I got better. The boss was pretty patient and showed me a few tricks, like not giving the recipient too much time to think about whether they have enough time to answer "four easy questions" and just launching into the first one (there had to be a 'beat' of course, but not too long), saying you had "just four easy questions" when you actually had five, and other stuff.

It was good money, and less physically strenuous than some other jobs I've worked. I enjoyed the competitiveness and the banter between my temporary workmates too; it was like being on the sports field again. Also, some of the angry responses I got from would-be clients were hilarious! :laugh:

[slug]

My uncle was an introvert, not sure exactly what type. He "fell into" a sales job when the only salesman quit and his boss promoted him to the position. He actually did well at it. The customers found it refreshing that he was unlike the other high pressure salesman. He was quiet and honest and let the the customers make up their own minds. This was business to business office supplies.

I personally like selling my own designs or creations. I let my work speak for itself and that does most of the selling. However, that's only one aspect of what I do, not the whole job. I think I would find be a full time "salesperson" too stressful.

[Booko]

I hated most aspects of sales. If I'm involved on the technical end of things, fine, and usually the more technical the product the better. But I am not the person you want cold calling or working at the front end of the sales pipeline.

I've had a side business in landscape consulting for years, but my best friend is my partner. She's an ESTJ and her ENFP husband is an insurance salesman and they've both worked in sales for years, so they know what they're doing.

What my ESTJ friend brings to the table is how to manage clients on a person-to-person level so business is profitable and they're satisfied.

I also learned a great deal from her about the nuts and bolts of customer service. I wasn't bad at it before, but now I'm much much better. Which is good, because now I have clients in my own business and I can see how I would be worse at it absent what I learned from my friend.

[wunderkind]

I worked on more sales or sales related positions. Some of them were okey others difficult for me. Some of my points:
1) Product/service is more impportant for your success than your personality.
2) For INTJs it is not problem to be in sales position where they are appproached by customers, but it is much more difficult for them to force contact with the customers (such as cold calling ... ).
3) So called "persuative skills" are overrated, while you may not be 100 % sincere in general it is much better aproach than lying and extorting customers ... customers are making their minds mostly rationally, based on product qualities not your personality.
4) As mentioned here in some posts above, many managers or other salesmen view sales as a kind of religion, forcing rules based on their persuation not evidence ... in some cases INTJ may be forced out just for "not fitting" without respect to sales results.

[Acolyte]

I say I would do great in sales, however after observing my own results in persuading other people by mere facts and figures I cooled off and devised the direction of personal development. I'm a terrible communicator at times, sometimes even not being able to construct a well though out sentence, thus why I took a new role at service desk to develop my people's skills and become more of an E than I, and so far I've noticed a marginal improvement.
Sales are made emotionally and then justified logically, however it's subject to kind of person you're selling it to which you need to recognize upfront in just under a few first sentences. It's never a good idea to concentrate on bottom line (i.e. you get this and that when spending this much, which is lower X than our next competitor). Part of INTJ personality is Visionary which is where the next development should be focused on. This is so that you can develop yourself not just in details but in abstract, theoretical or high level concept areas that move people instead of cold hard facts.

[PovertyPenalty]

it seems we INTJs hate selling stuff.
I can only confirm that.

I should tell big lies and pose in order to sell.
I should even flatter your worst sides, or ignore something totally unintelligent (anathema!) that you may have said.
I should keep smiling also if I have nothing to smile about.
I should go along well with prejudices.
I should small talk and respect every given social codex.

---------- Post added 05-26-2012 at 03:23 AM ----------



I got a job when I was fifteen selling vacuums. I was absolutely horrible in the beginning, but I needed the money so I stuck through and learned to play pretend. Even though I never needed to tell big lies, I did need to pose and pay attention to my body language. It's amazing what a little body language can do, especially when you learn to manipulate it. There were a lot of stupid comments and stupid people that I needed to gloss over, but I had to keep telling myself that they're everywhere and I eventually got used to it.

Small talk was really difficult, but if I told people what they wanted to hear they left thinking I was their best friend. That includes agreeing with their prejudices and misunderstandings of society (barf).

Even though our disposition is to hate sales I'll argue that we have the potential to be awesome salesmen. We have the ability to see past backstabbing political bullshit that is rampant in any sales job -- we all just need to learn how to use it for our own advantage. Sadly, that includes having to play extrovert which is incredibly taxing. My biggest hurdle was learning how to express my ideas to customers. I would give them the facts very matter-of-factly and expect them to just get it, but as I learned to express myself the sales kept coming.

[Muse]

I used to work in sales. I did well because I was good at convincing people and also very informative/intelligent. However, I am also quite friendly and kind in person, as well as being very good at conversation and small talk (though it isn't my favorite thing).

I had some of these things going in, and improved quickly during my work. I think any INTJ can do well in sales if they try hard enough.

One thing I should mention though, I'm against hustling a product because I think it is dishonest and a bit manipulative. If in conversation I found that it was unlikely to improve a customers life, I didn't push it. My employer didn't notice and my numbers were still good. Some of those customers enjoyed our conversation enough to remember me and recomended other potential customers.

[Dangime]

Almost all of my jobs have been in sales. At 17 I started out in a retail electronics store selling hardware. Because I was into computers myself and found them fun and useful, I never had any problem selling computers or related products. The problems arose when we had to sell insurance plans. Plans which had very little chance of paying off in the long run against their cost.

Also, if I caught any whiff of corruption, lies, or double standards within the organization, I knew I needed to start looking for a new job fast. Once I lost faith in the "system" or the "product" it was all down hill from there and there was no turning back. I find great amusement in the fact that the vast majority of companies I have worked for in the past are now out of business.

After some bad experiences with sales jobs I developed the "Google Rule" for myself. Basically if I was going to have to sell a product daily that an average person could find significantly cheaper and of the same quality by spending 5 minutes on Google searching for it, I wouldn't take the job. In my mind it would just be ripping people off. That's what a lot of sales is...taking people in because its either convenient for the customer or they just don't know or care enough. Sometimes people have other reasons for buying stuff other than just logic. Luxury anything....never sold luxury goods, probably couldn't.

Luckily I got into being a brand representative instead. It has sales aspects but they are muted. Basically I went into the same kind of retail environment, but only tried to influence people to prefer my brand over another. Also I didn't really have to interact with the nazi leadership of the stores, which was a big plus. I couldn't handle their irrational attitudes and power trips. I did have to make it clear who I worked for, and who I didn't work for sometimes though. It allowed me to make my own ethical calls. If my brand sucked for a certain situation I just said so, and invited the customers to come back to my brand if their needs fell into any of our strengths later.

Now I'm out of sales entirely. I recently turned down a job that would have been more hours/money because I didn't believe in the product and would have just become an emotional wreck even trying (selling credit cards). I'm glad I didn't need the money and hope I never have to again, but sales was a good way to jump start my finances early in life.

[12ax7]

I read this article about becoming a car salesman after somebody posted it in another thread:
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
it basically confirmed that I'd be terrible. I think my conscience would hate me...

[RCOEI]

Most of my work has been in sales; same with my INTJ uncle. As far as my success, I selected "OK." I am terrible at certain positions (eg. coldcalling homeowners). With in-person sales (such as insurance), managers either over-estimate or under-estimate my ability, but seldom see it accurately. I've had some, such as a former ESFJ boss, who constantly pestered me about my personality, attempting to make me into a clone of him. When he left, and was replaced by a female boss who liked me, my performance improved. Thus, I'd say my success depends partly on whether I'm allowed to act naturally, even though I don't have a typical sales personality. In any case, I don't like sales and am seeking an alternative path. Unfortunately, sales is all people want to recruit me for, since it's all that's on my resume....

[frontaLobotomy]

I've worked in sales over the years, it's a job <shrug>