The wage gap between men and women is a persistent problem in the workforce. Women continue to earn less than men, even when they have the same qualifications and experience. While there are many factors that contribute to the wage gap, one potential solution is to focus on careers that provide women with the opportunity to earn higher salaries. One such career is sales. The question now is: Can women close wage gap through career in sales?

Yes, women can close wage gap through career in sales. Sales jobs are typically thought of as the domain of men, but women make up a growing percentage of sales professionals. In many ways, sales are one of the most important professions for women because it offers many opportunities for growth and advancement. But before going into this career, you have to consider whether careers in sales help women close the wage gap.

Do Careers in Sales Help Women Close the Wage Gap?

7 Reasons Why Organizations Need More Women in Sales

Things are changing and the need for women in sales is on the rise. The following are why organizations need more women in sales;

1. Gender diversity

Having more women in sales can help to increase gender diversity in the workplace. This can lead to a more inclusive and equitable work environment, where different perspectives and ideas are valued and heard.

2. Market representation

Women make up a significant portion of the consumer market, and having more women in sales can help organizations to better understand and connect with this market. This can lead to more effective marketing and sales strategies and ultimately, increased revenue.

3. Improved communication

Research suggests that women tend to have stronger communication skills than men, and thus having more women in sales can improve the communication and negotiation skills of an organization.

4. Increased creativity

Having a diverse team in sales, including more women, can lead to more creative and innovative ideas, as different perspectives and experiences are brought to the table.

5. Better work-life balance

Research shows that women are more likely to prioritize work-life balance than men, having more women in sales can lead to more flexible and accommodating working hours and policies.

6. Better customer relationships

Women are often seen as more empathetic and better at building relationships than men. This can lead to better customer relationships, as customers are more likely to trust and open up to female sales representatives.

7. Improved team dynamics

A diverse team with a balance of men and women can lead to better team dynamics, as different perspectives and ideas are brought to the table, leading to more effective problem-solving and decision-making.

8. Better representation of the company

Having more women in sales can help to improve the representation of the company to both customers and potential employees, as a diverse workforce is seen as a sign of a progressive and inclusive organization.

Gender Biases in Sales

Gender biases in workforce has been around for a long time. One would think civilization will take the disparity away, bust sadly, the problem still persists. Different surveys has been carried out concerning the menace, and how it affects both genders. One of such surveys is depicted in the image below.

women in sales

9 Ways on How Sales Career Help Women Close the Wage Gap

Sales jobs offer several advantages to women who choose them as it closes the wage gap.

1. Sales jobs offer flexible schedules

Sales jobs help close the wage gap because they pay well. Sales jobs also tend to offer more flexibility, and a number of sales jobs are part-time or freelance. This means that women who want to work part-time or freelance can work more hours when they want to, instead of having to work full-time hours every day.

2. It is a great escape from the glass ceiling

A career in sales can be a great escape from the glass ceiling. Sales jobs are among the highest paying careers, and theyโ€™re also among the fastest growing. Selling is about more than just closing deals; itโ€™s about building relationships with customers and colleagues.

3. Career growth opportunities

Salespeople also see a lot of growth potential in their careers because theyโ€™re often promoted based on performance rather than tenure. This means that if youโ€™re good at what you do and work hard enough, thereโ€™s a growth chance. The more experience you gain and how worthy you prove, there is advancement of promotion within your company. In fact, most sales managers started out as entry-level sales representatives themselves.

Do Careers in Sales Help Women Close the Wage Gap?

4. Control over their income and salary negotiations

Sales jobs can be a great career path for women, especially those looking to close the wage gap. Sales careers offer women greater control over their income, and they also allow women to negotiate their salary.

They are directly responsible for generating revenue for their companies. This means that youโ€™re able to negotiate your own salary and benefits packages, rather than having one dictated by your employer or government regulations.

5. Sales is a high-growth industry

A career in sales can help close the wage gap because itโ€™s a high-growth industry with good salaries and benefits. Sales people who perform well can earn six-figure salaries and sometimes even more than that depending on their level of success.

6. Itโ€™s rewarding

Selling products or services gives you a sense of accomplishment when you help someone make a decision that improves their life in some way. Youโ€™ll feel proud when they thank you for helping them find exactly what they were looking for at just the right price.

7. Sales jobs can be done from anywhere in the world

Sales is a field that can be done remotely, and there are many companies that are looking for people to sell certain products or services. If you want to make money while travelling, this is one of your best options. This allows women to save up more money as they work in this industry.

8. It provides support resources for women in the workplace

Sales careers can help close this gap because it provides support resources for women in the workplace. Women who work as sales professionals have access to mentors who can help them navigate the challenges of being a female leader or manager in a male-dominated field.

9. Management roles promotion

Women working in sales have a better chance of moving into management roles than women in other industries. Women who work in sales have an even greater chance at advancing into management roles than those who work in finance or consulting, according to the report. This suggests that women working in sales are more likely to be promoted because they tend to be better at networking than men

What Are the Challenges to Closing the Wage Gap in Sales Career?

1. Bad negotiation

Another challenge to closing the wage gap in sales careers is that women often donโ€™t negotiate their salary offers as aggressively as men do. This is especially when they first enter the workforce after college or graduate school. This means they end up earning less than their male colleagues who negotiated harder for higher pay rates during their first jobs.

2. Workplace culture

There are also cultural issues at play here too where women are expected to do more work for less pay or get penalized if they do less. Many companies have a culture that promotes aggressive behavior and puts pressure on employees to reach quotas. This can make it difficult for women who donโ€™t want to conform to this type of environment.

A bad workplace culture can cause problems when youโ€™re trying to find new clients or close a sale. You may have fewer opportunities to shine because your manager doesnโ€™t think youโ€™re aggressive enough, even if youโ€™re actually doing great work.

3. Inconsistent support from management

Another factor is inconsistent support from management. In some cases, managers may not have the skills and training needed to create a productive culture for women. This leads to them being judged differently and paid differently.

4. Discrimination

Whether intentional or not, this type of bias can lead employers to offer lower salariesย  to women than their male counterparts.

8 Ways on How to Build a Career in Sales That Closes Wage Gap

If you are considering a career in sales, here are some tips to help you get started and close wage gaps.

1. Get some experience first

The best way to learn how to sell is by doing it. If there isnโ€™t always an opportunity for this type of training at your current job, consider volunteering or interning at a company. This company should beย  where you could get some real-world experience before making an official transition into sales.

2. Start small

Building relationships is critical in sales, so start by selling yourself first. Whether itโ€™s through social media or networking events, let people know who you are and what you do. This will make it easier to find new clients later on if they already know who you are and what you can do for them.

3. Get certified

You donโ€™t have to have any experience in sales at all, but having a certification can make you more marketable. Check with local colleges or community colleges for certificate programs in sales and marketing. If thatโ€™s not an option, look into online courses and certifications.

4. Develop your people skills

Being good at sales isnโ€™t just about knowing how to pitch products and services. You need to be able to communicate effectively and build rapport with others quickly so they will trust you enough to buy from you. Your ability to connect with people will help you succeed as a salesperson.

5. Have confidence in yourself

As a woman entering an industry dominated by men, it can be difficult to feel confident about yourself and your abilities. This is especially when there are fewer women than men at every level of the company. But remember that confidence is key in any field.

6. Learn how to listen effectively

Listening builds trust, which is essential in sales because it makes buyers more comfortable with their decision-making process. It allows them to open up about their needs and goals. When youโ€™re able to listen effectively, youโ€™ll learn more about what your prospects really need and want. information that will help you tailor your pitch accordingly.

7. Get out there and network

This is one of the best ways to get your foot in the door. Meet people who are already working in the industry and learn what they do. Attend conferences and trade shows where industry professionals gather to network with potential clients and other potential employees like yourself.

If you want to work at an insurance company, attend their annual conference or trade show; if you want to work for a clothing store chain, attend their annual fashion show event or convention; if you want to work for a technology company, attend their annual trade show event or conference.

8. Find the right company

Sales jobs can be found through many different channels. Your best bet is to look for companies that already have good reputations in your area and offer products or services that match your interests.

You want to find an organization that matches your interests because this will make it easier for you to enjoy working there and help them sell more product or service offerings.

Conclusion

While sales careers can provide women with the opportunity to earn higher salaries and advance in their careers, the gender wage gap in the sales industry is a persistent problem. However, by focusing on increasing representation of women in sales and addressing discrimination and bias in the industry, it is possible to close the wage gap for women in sales.

Additionally, by providing more information about the industry and encouraging more women to pursue sales careers, we can work towards a more equitable future for women in the workforce.

References

Perceived Gender Biases in Sales
https://www.lucidchart.com/pages/research/women-in-salesย 

Disclosure: This article, other beauty and fashion tips on SheBegan are contributed by experienced fashion professionals, beauty & cosmetics experts. Read our full research and editorial process here. Also, our posts may contain affiliate links, read our full affiliate disclosure

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