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When I’ve talked about jobs and careers in the past, I’ve always said that sales, in my opinion, is one of the worst jobs for introverted HSPs.
But a post on Reddit turned my thoughts about sales on their head. What if an introverted HSP was in a typically “extroverted” job, and instead of forcing themselves to be extroverted…they used their innate traits to their advantage?
(Apologies to the extroverted HSPs because this is one of those episodes about introverts, or introverted HSPs.)
Related Blog Posts:
Resources mentioned in the podcast:
- A travel experience for introverts via cnet.com
Other interesting stuff:
Podcast music attribution: By the Coast (2004) (Antony Raijekov) / CC BY-NC 2.5
I’m glad you covered this Kelly! Having been involved in several sales-related businesses, I know how tough it is for someone with an introverted personality. Believing in your product or service certainly helps, but soliciting business isn’t part of an introvert’s nature and often involves putting on an “alternate persona”, which can seem very unnatural at times. Granted, success in anything involves a certain amount of change, but I believe it should be a natural change that’s in sync with one’s core being. It’s hard to explain, but there has to be a harmony there. Otherwise, it can just cause a lot of undue stress.
The fear of rejection is much more real for introverts than it is for extroverts. I always had a dilemma about just how hard to “push” when approaching a prospective client. Not getting an appointment with someone usually led to resentment – either toward them for not wanting to give me their time, or toward myself for not succeeding to get the appointment (or both). Sales is a numbers game, and I understand that concept logically. In order to serve as many people as possible, you have to approach large numbers of people and expect a certain percentage of “no’s”. That’s a tough one for an HSP to internalize, however, because we tend to see people more as individuals than part of a collective. It’s tough for us to just say “oh well….next”.
One thing that has always bothered me is when people would give me their contact info with no intention of ever taking my call. I know it’s likely because they were just as afraid of rejecting me as I was of being rejected, but I always took it personal that they just couldn’t say “no” to my face (even though I may very well do the same in their shoes).
Not that introverts can’t be successful in sales (as your story points out) – we just have to find different ways to go about it. I like the affiliate marketing model because I don’t feel it puts “pressure” on a potential customer to make a purchase, and at the same time, it can be tied to something with specific quality content (like this blog). People will want to support you if they feel you’re providing them with something of value.
I have enjoyed a roles in sales, but I cannot handle those roles where its nothing but flim flammery. I won’t and cannot do that people.
In sales I thrive in a consultative role, and because I remember each interaction with each person including details I build a wonderful rapport with clients and can meet their needs fully. The corporate politicking and self promotional aspect is the area that I struggle with constantly. Sales is a breeze, and being honest with a person builds a long term trust that does indeed translate into referrals and repetitive business that can last for years.
What a great explanation–this is exactly what I was wondering about. Thank you for sharing! This shows that sales can be about honest, helpful relationships and not just trickery 🙂
It would be OK to say you fantasy ‘what I’d really love to say to a car sales man’ sentence to a car sales man.
Hi Kelly! Thank you so much for this podcast! It really connected with me. I’m in a part time retail job that I actually enjoy. It’s not where I plan to stay but when you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do its best to make the most of it. As an infj, I love people! Being a cashier is actually a lot of fun now that I go slow and focus on my one customer at a time. It’s so funny how shocked some people are when I ask what they’re making or what class they’re getting stuff for since it’s a hobby and crafts store. I talk with the kids so they don’t feel left out and try to engage each person in the group and be compassionate. Of course there are a ton of problems and some people are rude but I’m glad I’ve this opportunity to improve my people skills since I’m going to school for psychology. I love observing people but engaging them brings a whole new sense of connection and community that you don’t really find unless you put yourself out there a little. Don’t get me wrong, I love not seeing another for days on end but we really are social creatures. Thanks again!
so glad you found it helpful, Brooke! 🙂 thanks for the comment!
I appreciate this podcast very much. My employer has asked me to start cold calling business development opportunities and while I don’t really mind doing the call, I will have to do it within listening distance of my entire office. This is excruciating for me, an introverted HSP. If anyone has any suggestions how to handle this awful task, I’d love to hear it please.
I just found this podcast & feel inclined to share my experience at my current job. I work in the cannabis industry, so my job title as a budtender is to the likes of a bartender. We help individuals and most interactions are fast, others not so much. I’ve worked in sales related jobs since I legally could work, I figured out I had a knack for talking to people. But when closing time rolls around, I’m absolutely exhausted. Working at my job, I’ve gotten great at turning on a ‘charm’ so to speak. When I am at work, I am a gregarious, fun, loud, and lovable to most (as best as I can try lol). When I am faced with rejection I do feel a bit of a sting, that will never leave. This form of rejection feels personal sometimes due to the fact customers will ask you for recommendations, only to look back at you requesting something more/less expensive. I’m selective about how much of my emotional energy I put into interactions, its as if I have a water tank inside my body that holds all my expendable energy. All day I am picking & choosing what is water off a ducks back vs. when I really need to participate in the discourse.
My first job was heavily focused on sales, I was young & eager to please at the time. I loved the gratification of having the highest sales for the day, or maybe meeting number requirements ie: item ratios in sales, weekly, monthly, and yearly sales goals, even the amount of customers who came in and bought something vs customers who came in, looked & left. Thinking back on that, it seems like way too much. Stress+anxiety was everyday, I hadn’t refined my ability to turn myself ‘on’ so my feelings were hurt when faced with rejection.
I really feel there is an ethically sound way to sell things & I really wish more people thought that too. Honesty and integrity will always win someone over faster than any lie or exaggeration could. I believe that whole heartedly & apply that to my job now. That also helps me protect my energy & mind.
Hi Kelly. Im so glad I found your blog /podcast. I work in sales and it can be overwhelming. The first year of working I enjoy very much after sometime not so much.
One of the reason I was in search of solutions. I haven’t figured out the best way for me as I’m an extreme introvert. Im sure I will.
Listen to your podcast help me to understand more about myself and wanting to thrive in this world suitable for extrovert.
Introvert can also thrive. We just need to find a way first.
Looking forward to more of your podcast.