Is Gen-Y a Sales Job Wasteland?

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  mbmattis@...05/21/08 Report as spam
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  Lipstick Traces

  I just want to know where your models bought their lipstick. Gotta get me some o' that.

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  maro004805/22/08 Report as spam
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  RE: Is Gen-Y a Sales Job Wasteland?

  I myself am a member of Generation Y, and have worked since graduation from college (3 years) in advertising sales. I have enjoyed the career thoroughly and been quite successful as well. I even often tell friends that I couldn't see myself in a position outside of the sales profession. To my surprise I do find a lot of those same friends with an attitude of... how can you do it? don't you hate asking people for money? isn't it hard to make ends meat on commission? don't you get sick of hearing NO all day? don't clients get sick of you stopping in all the time? blah blah blah... So in my opinion I do think maybe the Generation Y is lacking an interest in the sales profession, but more study would have to be done to determine why!? Or perhaps the same comments would be found across all generations.

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  glhoffman05/22/08 Report as spam
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  RE: Is Gen-Y a Sales Job Wasteland?

  We have over 40 sales reps who are 21-30...and as a baby boomer, I don't think they are much different. What they want...respect, feedback, authenicity...is the same stuff as previous age groups in effective sales forces.

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  bswitzer05/22/08 Report as spam
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  RE: Is Gen-Y a Sales Job Wasteland?

  I am a Gen-Yer who started out in sales. I spent the first 4 years of my career in sales. I also spent the first four years dreaming of going back to school... any school... to get out of sales. I spent my days dreaming of being a chef, a hairdresser, a welder... any place I didn't have to cold call. I recently started in HR and my days of dreaming are over. I have totally found my niche. I think sales meets the needs of Gen-Y financially... you have to pay for your Wii fit somehow... but mentally and spiritually it falls short. We'll see what happens.

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  dg@...05/22/08 Report as spam
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  You mean it's NOT about me???

  It will take some effort for the stereotypical Gen Y'er(and I say that deliberately because there are always, of course, exceptions) to make it in professional (high dollar,long sales cycle,relationship driven) sales for two very simple reasons: Self absorbedness and the reliance on impersonal, cut to the chase, technology as their primary means of communication.
  
  Sales is about thinking about the OTHER person/company and their needs (and understanding body language;reading between the lines, etc...)- I'm just not seein' that a whole lot these days. (even in those interactions with "Inside Sales")
  
  And when one doesn't ever have to be face to face with or even speak with another human to "communicate" the fine art of conversation (and again, truly being able to assess needs)is lost. Technology is a great thing, but not as a replacement for personal contact.
  
  But hey, these lack of skills are exactly why my Business Development Consulting company is doing well- I teach good, old fashioned sales skills (listening, probing, etc...) to the Facebook generation and I anticipate business only getting better!

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  cventrice@...05/22/08 Report as spam
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  RE: Is Gen-Y a Sales Job Wasteland?

  I am currently conducting a survey regarding what creates the most motivating work environment. I am looking at the data from age group and years in the workforce. While there are differences in preferences that managers need to note, they aren't mind-blowing (at least so far).
  
  I could use your help. This is an on-going survey and need more respondents to create an accurate sample.
  
  http://maketheirday.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/survey-generational-preferences-in-employee-recognition/
  
  Hope you can help me out!

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  cventrice@...05/22/08 Report as spam
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  link

  The link was broken:
  http://maketheirday.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/survey-generational-preferences-in-employee-recognition/
  
  Hopefully this will work

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  L10_Chris05/28/08 Report as spam
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  Tiny URL

  Your link didn't work, try using www.tinyurl.com to redirect.