We all want that perfect job right off the bat, the one we can see ourselves retiring from. However real life just doesn’t work that way and we must work our way towards our goals. The key, though, is how do you work towards those goals?

The other day I went through a drive thru just to get something to drink between appointments and was treated as rudely as I can ever remember by someone in a “customer service” business. The employee acted as if I was interrupting his leisure time. Instead of saying, “Hello, can I help you?” it was “Hey, what do you want?” Then when he didn’t understand me, he replied with “What? You need to speak clearer.” At the window, there was no interaction and he basically threw my change at me.

I understand this is an extreme example and involves a teenager in his first job but it reminded me of an important point. Work for the job you want!

Maybe your goal is to be a top end jewelry salesperson but those types of jobs generally our held by people who have been in the game for years. Very few, if any salespeople, start at that level. If that’s your goal, then you need to work for it no matter what you are selling.

If you start out selling shoes, then be the very best at selling shoes. Take the time to work on you customer service skills, your closing techniques, overcoming objections and more. Once you accomplish your goal of being the best at selling shoes then maybe you move on to cars, for example. The goal remains the same, be the best car salesperson you can possibly be.

A selling career is like every other career-- there’s a ladder that we all must climb and you can’t take the next step until you master your current step. The teenager in the drive thru hasn’t learned one of the most important lessons in life: you are being judged; and while he may not care, the way he treated me and other customers has an impact down the road.

Whatever you are selling, sell it like it’s the most important product in the world and provide a level of customer service that is unmatched. If you do those two things, then every goal you have will always be within reach. Be the best at what you are doing now and your future will be very bright.

FINAO - Brad Huisken