How to Get an Sales Internship: Essential Tips and Resources
Table of Contents
Looking to secure a sales internship? It can be tough, but with the right guidance and resources, it can be a rewarding experience. This guide covers everything from what a sales internship involves to essential tips for finding the right opportunity. You’ll also find valuable resumes and interview tips tailored for aspiring sales interns. Whether you’re a student seeking hands-on experience or a recent graduate looking to kickstart your career, this guide will provide the insights and tools you need to succeed in the competitive world of sales internships.
Sales Internship Introduction
A sales internship is a temporary position that helps students or individuals interested in pursuing a career in sales to get real-world experience. The specifics of how the internship works will most likely be determined by the sector and employer. For example, some internships are full-time, paid work, whilst others are part-time and may or may not be compensated. Most employers provide internships to current students or recent graduates, however some may hire people regardless of their educational background. Interns typically work under the guidance of an experienced sales professional throughout their internship.
Types of Sales
There are different types of sales, and each type focuses on different responsibilities：
- B2B (Business-to-Business) Sales: Involves selling products or services from one business to another.
- B2C (Business-to-Consumer) Sales: Focuses on selling products or services directly to individual consumers.
- Inside Sales: Conducted remotely via phone, email, or online, rather than through face-to-face meetings.
- Outside Sales: Involves meeting clients in person, often traveling to their locations to make sales presentations.
- Consultative Sales: Emphasizes building relationships and understanding customer needs to offer tailored solutions.
- Transactional Sales: Focuses on quick, high-volume sales with minimal interaction and relationship-building.
- Solution Sales: Centers on identifying and solving specific customer problems with customized product or service offerings.
Retail Sales: Occurs in physical or online stores, selling directly to consumers through personal interaction or e-commerce platforms.
Majors Suitable for Sales
Several majors are particularly suitable for a career in sales, each providing essential skills and knowledge for success in this dynamic field.
Business Administration and Marketing offer a strong foundation in business operations, consumer behavior, and strategic marketing. Communications and Public Relations develop persuasive communication and interpersonal skills, crucial for building relationships and closing deals. Economics equips students with analytical abilities to understand market trends and customer needs, while Psychology provides insights into human behavior and motivation.
Lastly, majors in Information Technology or Computer Science are valuable for technical sales roles, where understanding complex products and services is essential. Together, these majors offer a diverse skill set that can be leveraged in various sales positions.
How to Write an Effective Resume
What is ATS？
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is computer software that human resource departments use to process the overwhelming number of applications they receive for job openings.
Here are some tips to make sure your resume can be read by an ATS:
- Use simple and clear language to avoid confusing the system.
- Stick to standard resume headers like “Education” and “Work Experience”. Avoid creative headers.
- Use common fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, or Helvetica for readability.
- Keep 1-inch margins on all sides to prevent your resume from looking crowded.
- Avoid unnecessary graphics or decorations, as they can confuse the ATS.
- Don’t use special characters or symbols that the system might not understand.
- Create your resume in a Word document to ensure it looks good and is easy for the ATS to read.
Follow Basic Formatting Requirements
Use a professional resume template to ensure your resume is neat and easy to read, effectively highlighting key information with clear headings, consistent formatting, and an organized structure.
Resume Formatting Rules
- Left-align the content.
- Use 1″ margins.
- Select a professional, easy-to-read font.
- Divide your information into clear sections.
- Set clear headers for each section.
- Use bullet points to explain your work experience.
- Keep your resume an appropriate length (one page for most candidates)
A resume should be concise, using bullet points and formatting to highlight key information, ensuring that recruiters can quickly understand your qualifications and achievements. Use formatting techniques such as bold, italics, or color to emphasize keywords and critical information, making them immediately noticeable during rapid scanning.
Demonstrate Your Fit for the Job
Provide a clear personal summary that outlines your resume, highlighting key points and skills directly related to the position, and emphasizing both technical and soft skills to show your alignment with the job requirements and your career aspirations.
Sales Internship Resume Summary Example
Motivated and goal-oriented Business Administration student with expertise in collaborating with sales representatives, identifying market trends, creating newsletters, and implementing digital marketing strategies. A proficient communicator with strong analytical capabilities, genuine enthusiasm for the business sector, and exceptional time management skills. Actively seeking a Summer Sales Internship opportunity with a progressive organization.
To ensure your resume meets the job requirements, tailor the content to the specific needs of the position, emphasize relevant achievements, use keywords from the job description for ATS optimization, and highlight experience in similar roles.
Employers value quantified achievements because they provide concrete evidence of your impact and abilities, which helps them better assess your potential performance in the new position.
Sales Internship Workload Achievements Example
Sales Intern• 04/2024 – Present
XYZ Inc.Used outbound calls to generate leads and achieve a 25% increase in sales revenue
Conducted product demos and presentations leading to a 30% conversion rate
Collaborated with the marketing team to develop sales materials and strategies
Developed and executed strategic sales plans, resulting in a 10% growth in customer base
Top Skills for Sales Intern Resumes:
Hard Skills
- CRM software (e.g. Salesforce)
- Data analysis
- Market research
- Product knowledge
- Sales techniques
- Lead generation
- Cold calling
Soft Skills
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Problem-solving skills
- Customer service
- Adaptability
When writing a resume for a Sales Intern role, be sure to emphasize any previous sales experience, customer service abilities, and relevant coursework. Incorporate measurable accomplishments, like meeting sales goals or boosting revenue. Use active verbs, quantify your achievements, and customize your resume for the specific company and position.
How to Build Your Network and Connections
Linked Connection
- Even if you don’t have inside connections, LinkedIn is your secret weapon for tapping into the power of networking with the company’s own team.
- In the LinkedIn “People” section of the target company/industry, filter for positions of interest, preferably selecting alumni. Alumni are more inclined to offer assistance. Send a note to connect (briefly introducing yourself with your name, school, major, interests, and reason for contacting them).
- Up on receiving an invitation to connect: Express gratitude, provide another brief self-introduction, inquire about scheduling a brief coffee chat, and briefly outline areas of interest.
- Pre-chat preparation: Prepare a self-introduction; review the other person’s profile beforehand; prepare ten questions of interest (related to their profession or education).
- On the day of the chat: Enter the chat five minutes early, tidy up appearance, confirm questions to ask, then chat as if with a senior colleague! Exchange greetings, introduce yourself, and ask questions. Respond to their answers with your own thoughts and experiences for deeper engagement!
- At the end of the chat: Ask directly if they are willing to refer you; offer to provide your resume for them to learn more about you. Usually, they will agree at this point. It’s okay if they don’t. Regardless of the outcome, always express gratitude politely.
Offline Networking
- Participate in Offline Activities
Actively participate in school and industry offline events like job fairs and forums to understand industry trends and connect with experts.
- Volunteer at Industry Events
Volunteering at industry events demonstrates your enthusiasm and responsibility while providing valuable organizational skills and opportunities to network with industry veterans and potential employers.
- Attend Lectures and Seminars
Regularly attend lectures and seminars to gain industry insights, learn from experts, and network with speakers.
- Network During Other Internships
Utilize your internship to network with colleagues and supervisors, building professional relationships that can enhance your career development.
How to Stand Out in an Accounting Internship Interview
Professional Behavior
First, present yourself as if you are already in the job. Treat the interview like a cosplay event where you play the role of a professional. Mimic the appearance and behavior of a workplace professional. Choosing appropriate formal attire is fundamental. When communicating with the interviewer, accurately expressing your thoughts, demonstrate the composure of someone with years of work experience.
Tips for Behavioral Interviews
With these kinds of questions, interviewers are usually trying to learn three things:
- They want to know how you behaved in a real-world situation.
- They want to understand the measurable value you added to that situation.
- They are trying to learn how you define something like “pressure at work”—a concept different people might interpret differently.
Success in a behavioral interview is all about preparation. There aren’t necessarily wrong answers. These questions are aimed at getting to know the real you. The important thing is to be honest and to practice structuring your responses in a way that communicates what you have to offer.
Here are some important tips to consider when preparing for your next behavioral interview:
- Review major projects you’ve worked on.
- Revisit previous job performance reviews.
- Make a list of your professional accomplishments.
- Use the STAR method to structure your response.
- Practice your interview responses aloud.
- Keep your answers under two minutes.
Showcase Your Extensive Experience
Even if you encounter work content during the interview that you haven’t experienced, don’t panic. Observe the work of others, learn from their experiences, and adapt these experiences as your own. For example, if a classmate mentioned a relevant technique or method in a school project, you can discuss your understanding of this topic during the interview and express your interest in learning and practicing it further.
What questions should you ask at the end of the interview?
At the end of the interview, if the candidate doesn’t have any questions to ask, he or she may appear to lack interest and initiative in the position or the company, and miss the opportunity to further demonstrate their curiosity and deepen the conversation.
What can I ask?
HR（ Generally for initial interviews）：The main understanding of the company’s basic situation, assessment standards, departmental situation and other issues, reflecting stability and intentionality.
- Could you describe the day-to-day responsibilities of this role?
- What is the company culture and core values like here?
- What are the key success metrics for this position?
Final Interview
Immediate supervisors: mainly to understand the tasks of the position, the division of labor, and the problems of their own travel, reflecting professionalism and initiative
- How does the team typically collaborate on projects?
- Could you share some details about the current main projects the team is working on?
- How can I contribute most effectively in this role within the team?
Senior leaders: mainly understand the company’s development direction, departmental goals, personal improvement and other aspects of the problem, reflecting independent thinking and upward mobility
- What are some key goals or plans for the company in the coming years?
- How do you see this position contributing to the company’s long-term strategy?
- What support does the company offer for career development and growth?
Can’t ask anything
Questions that are too pointed or negative: For example, asking direct questions about why the company has a high turnover rate, internal conflicts, etc., may make the interview atmosphere awkward and affect the interviewer’s evaluation of the applicant’s attitude.
If you have any more interview questions, here’s a ChatGPT plugin I recommend: Interview Pro, It helps you excel in interviews across various job functions and levels.
How to Follow Up with HR on Interview Results
At different stages after the interview, you can follow specific scripts to inquire about the results from HR. Here are some recommended communication scripts to keep in mind:
On-site Inquiry Right After the Interview
“Thank you very much for the opportunity to interview with your company. It allowed me to showcase my abilities and learn more about your organization. I had a very pleasant conversation with the interviewer and look forward to the possibility of working together. Could you please let me know approximately how long it will take to finalize the interview results?”
Same Day as the Interview
Online Inquiry:
“Hello, I am *** who interviewed for the *** position this morning. Thank you very much for arranging this interview. During the interview, I felt the professionalism and rigor of your company and learned about the career prospects of the position, which align well with my career plans. I hope to have the opportunity to work with your company. Could you please let me know when the interview results are expected to be finalized? Thank you.”
Three Days After the Interview
Routine Inquiry:
“Hello, I am （name） who interviewed for the ** position on Tuesday. I had a very pleasant conversation with the interviewer, and I now have a clearer understanding of the company and the position. I am looking forward to the opportunity to join the company. Could you please let me know if the interview results have been finalized? Thank you.”
Advanced Inquiry:
“Hello, I was very pleased to attend the interview with your company last week. I would like to inquire if the interview results are available now. And then I have received several offers from other companies, but considering the prospects of the company and the position, your company is still my preferred choice. I look forward to your feedback. Thank you!”
Things to confirm after receiving an offer but before starting the job: Guide: Next Steps After You Got a Job Offer
How to Seek Professional Advice and Guidance
Job Postings and Other Career Informational Sites Relevant to the Field
SalesJobs.com: A job board dedicated specifically to sales positions across different industries.
Sales Gravy: A job board and career resource site specifically for sales professionals.
ZipRecruiter: A job search engine with a robust database of sales job listings.
American Association of Inside Sales Professionals (AA-ISP): Provides resources, training, and job listings for inside sales professionals.
Professional Organizations
Big Commerce: Information and trends in e-commerce
Builtin: Information about e-commerce companies
Better Team: Provides definitions and job description in Consumer Products and Retail
Fashion Journal: Highlights jobs titles and information about the fashion industry
Guide to Jobs in Fashion: Information about careers in the fashion industry
Key Information or Knowledge for This Field
- A passion for the consumer is at the heart of these fields. Organizations highly value experiences working in retail or customer service. In fact, some organizations will require time spent in a storefront as a part of their corporate leadership training. Consider “brand ambassador” and sales associate roles as a great training ground for understanding the consumer mindset.
- CPG and retail companies do business all over the world, but have regional products and customers. A global outlook, strong language skills, and ability to embrace diverse consumer perspectives are important attributes for these roles.
- In addition to traditional stores, e-commerce and direct to consumer brands that meet niche sectors of the market are rapidly changing the shopper experience. With so many growing channels, data-driven decision making will be central to your role.
School Career Services Center Websites
Each school’s career center website offers a full range of career guidance that you can’t afford to miss!
Jobright will also become your partner on the path to finding an accounting internship.
Embracing Growth and Seizing Opportunities
Securing a sales internship is a key step toward a successful sales career. By understanding the types of sales, leveraging your educational background, and using the right resources, you can enhance your chances. Use the tips and resources provided in this blog to craft a compelling resume, ace your interview, and confidently navigate your journey. With dedication and the right approach, you’ll be well on your way to landing a rewarding sales internship.