Ryan Doyle
Founder of GRSJ
Getting Started: Complete Guide to Online Sales Jobs for Beginners
What You'll Learn:
- Best entry-level roles
- Basic skills needed
- Getting started guide
- Training resources
- First job tips
- Growth opportunities
Best Entry-Level Online Sales Roles
Inside Sales Roles
- Sales Development Rep (SDR)
- Business Development Rep (BDR)
- Lead Generation Specialist
- Sales Support Associate
- Customer Service Rep
Industry Options
- SaaS/Technology
- E-commerce
- Digital Marketing
- Financial Services
- Business Services
Essential Skills for Beginners
Basic Sales Skills
- Communication
- Active listening
- Basic persuasion
- Time management
- Organization
Technical Skills
- Email proficiency
- Video calls
- Basic CRM use
- Digital calendars
- Document tools
Personal Traits
- Self-motivation
- Resilience
- Adaptability
- Positive attitude
- Learning mindset
Getting Started Guide
1. Build Your Foundation
- Complete free online courses
- Watch sales training videos
- Read sales blogs and books
- Practice communication skills
2. Create Your Profile
- Professional LinkedIn profile
- Basic resume
- Online portfolio (if applicable)
- Professional email address
3. Start Networking
- Join LinkedIn groups
- Attend virtual events
- Connect with sales professionals
- Follow companies of interest
Free Training Resources for Sales Beginners
You don't need to spend thousands on sales training to get started. The internet offers a wealth of free and low-cost resources to build your foundational sales skills. Here are the best places to start your learning journey:
Structured Online Courses
HubSpot Academy
Free certification courses on inbound sales methodology:
- Inbound Sales Certification (3-4 hours)
- Sales Enablement Certification (3 hours)
- Sales Management Training (5 hours)
- CRM fundamentals for beginners
LinkedIn Learning
Comprehensive video courses (free trial available):
- Sales Foundations course (2h 41m)
- Overcoming Sales Objections (41m)
- Social Selling Fundamentals (1h 2m)
- Remote Selling Basics (26m)
Salesforce Trailhead
Learn both sales skills and CRM basics:
- Sell Lightning Fast with Sales Cloud (5 hours)
- Build Your Sales Career (2 hours)
- Cultivate Equality at Work (1 hour)
Video & Podcast Learning
YouTube Channels
Free video tutorials from sales experts:
- Sales Insights Lab - Practical cold calling and objection handling
- Victor Antonio - Sales motivation and techniques
- The Sales Hunter - Prospecting and lead generation tips
- SalesGravy - Jeb Blount's channel on sales fundamentals
Sales Podcasts
Learn while commuting or exercising:
- Sales Gravy - Practical sales skills and mindset
- The Salesman Podcast - B2B sales strategies
- Make It Happen Mondays - Weekly sales motivation
- Sales Enablement Podcast - Inside access to sales knowledge
Free Webinars & Events
Live and interactive learning opportunities:
- Gong.io weekly sales webinars
- SalesHacker virtual events and recordings
- Outreach.io sales workshops
- ZoomInfo's sales strategy sessions
Practice Resources & Tools
Mock Call Tools
Practice your sales conversations before facing real prospects:
- Record yourself using Zoom or Loom
- Practice with friends via video call
- Join mock call sessions in sales communities
- Use the "Talk to yourself" technique
Sales Script Templates
Start with proven frameworks you can customize:
- HubSpot's free call script templates
- Yesware email templates library
- Chorus.ai call recording library
- Reply.io sequence templates
Free CRM Practice
Get hands-on with essential sales tools:
- HubSpot CRM (always free)
- Freshsales free tier
- Zoho CRM free plan
- ClickUp for sales pipeline practice
Community & Peer Learning
Online Communities
Connect with other sales professionals to learn and network:
- LinkedIn Groups: "Inside Sales Experts" and "Sales Best Practices"
- Reddit: r/sales subreddit for real-world advice and questions
- Discord: Sales communities like "RevGenius" and "Sales Hacker"
- Facebook Groups: "Sales Talk" and "Women in Sales" communities
Free Mentorship Sources
Find guidance from experienced sales professionals:
- SCORE.org: Free business mentorship from retired executives
- SalesMentorNetwork: Specialized sales mentorship matching
- MentorCruise: Some free mentorship opportunities with professionals
- Local sales meetups: Find through Meetup.com (virtual options available)
Creating Your Learning Plan
Rather than bouncing between resources, create a structured learning path:
- Start with fundamentals: Complete HubSpot's Inbound Sales Certification (free)
- Add daily learning: Listen to one sales podcast episode daily during commute/exercise
- Weekly practice: Role-play sales scenarios with a friend or record yourself weekly
- Community engagement: Ask one question weekly in a sales community to build connections
- Tools familiarization: Spend 2-3 hours weekly practicing with a free CRM
Consistency beats intensity. Just 30 minutes of daily focused learning will build substantial skills over 90 days.
Landing Your First Sales Role
Breaking into sales without experience requires a strategic approach that showcases your potential and enthusiasm. Here's how to position yourself effectively to land that crucial first sales opportunity:
Application Strategy
Target the Right Companies
Focus on organizations known for training entry-level talent:
- High-growth SaaS companies with expanding sales teams
- Organizations with structured SDR/BDR programs
- Companies advertising "no experience required" positions
- Businesses with 4+ star employee ratings on job sites
Resume Optimization
Highlight transferable skills and achievements:
- Quantify achievements from previous roles (any field)
- Emphasize communication, customer service, and problem-solving experience
- List relevant training, courses, and certifications completed
- Include technology proficiencies (CRM exposure, video platforms, etc.)
Follow-Up Excellence
Demonstrate your sales ability during the application process:
- Send personalized follow-up emails 3-5 days after applying
- Connect with hiring managers on LinkedIn with custom messages
- Share relevant content or ideas related to the company's products
- Create a 1-2 minute video introduction highlighting your enthusiasm
Interviewing Successfully
Research Thoroughly
Prepare deeply for each interview opportunity:
- Study the company's products, customers, and competitors
- Review the LinkedIn profiles of the sales leadership team
- Research recent company news and achievements
- Prepare thoughtful questions about sales process and team culture
Address the "No Experience" Challenge
Turn your lack of experience into a strength:
- Emphasize your "blank slate" without bad sales habits
- Highlight your eagerness to learn their specific methodology
- Showcase your commitment through relevant self-study
- Connect non-sales experiences to sales skills (negotiation, persuasion)
Demonstrate Sales Abilities
Show your potential through your interview approach:
- Ask discovery questions about their sales challenges
- Listen carefully and respond thoughtfully to interviewer comments
- Come prepared with a 1-2 minute "pitch" about yourself
- Follow up with a personalized thank-you note highlighting key discussion points
Alternative Entry Points
If you're struggling to land a dedicated sales role, consider these alternative paths to gain relevant experience:
Customer Service Transition
Start in customer support at a company with internal promotion opportunities. Excel in your role, then express interest in moving to sales. Many companies prefer to promote internally.
Sales Adjacent Roles
Consider positions like sales operations, sales enablement coordinator, or sales assistant. These roles provide visibility into the sales process and can be stepping stones to direct selling positions.
Freelance & Commission-Only
Start with 100% commission opportunities or affiliate marketing to build a track record of sales success. This experience, even part-time, provides tangible results to discuss in interviews.
Real-World Application Examples
Sample LinkedIn Message to Hiring Manager
"Hi [Name], I just applied for the SDR position at [Company]. While I'm new to professional sales, I've completed [Certification] and have been studying your product extensively. I'm particularly impressed with [specific feature] and how it helps [customer type]. I'd love to learn more about your team's approach to developing new sales talent. Would you be open to a 15-minute conversation?"
Interview Response to "Why Sales With No Experience?"
"I've always had a natural talent for understanding people's needs and helping them find solutions. In my previous role as [position], I consistently [achievement]. I've completed [sales training course] and have been practicing cold calls with friends to develop my skills. What attracts me to sales is [specific motivation], and I'm eager to apply my communication abilities and work ethic to contribute to your team's success."
First 90 Days Success Plan
Month 1: Learning Phase
Focus on understanding the product, company, and sales process. Take detailed notes and ask questions.
Month 2: Practice Phase
Start making calls and sending emails with supervision. Learn from feedback and improve your approach.
Month 3: Performance Phase
Begin working independently and focus on meeting your targets. Develop your own style while following best practices.
Ready to Start Your Sales Career?
Starting a career in sales requires no special degree or experience—just dedication, willingness to learn, and the right attitude. Begin with the resources above and take your first step today.
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