Most people overcomplicate getting into sales. They polish their resumes, take endless online courses, and send hundreds of cold emails starting with “Dear HR.” But sales isn’t about credentials. It’s about curiosity, initiative, and courage.
If you really want a sales job, here’s the simplest way to get one.
Research the Company
Pick a company that you really admire. Not because they’re hiring, but because you’d be proud to sell what they build. Study their website, read their product pages, and go through their case studies.
Then focus on one thing: their customers.
- Who are they selling to?
- Which industries do they serve?
- Do they list client logos, case studies, or testimonials?
That’s where your search begins.
Create a Customer List
When you know who the customers are, build a small list of 10–15 of them to reach out to.
You don’t need fancy tools. Just some curiosity and a few open tabs.
Here’s how to find them:
- Google Search: Try “[Company Name] clients” or “[Company Name] case studies.”
- LinkedIn: Search for people mentioning the company in their posts or job titles.
- Customer Testimonials: Check for client names in reviews or on the company website.
- Industry forums: Many tools and vendors are mentioned on Reddit, Quora, and niche Slack groups.
You might also want to look at tools like Apollo.io, Crunchbase, or LinkedIn Sales Navigator – not necessarily for use now but just to learn about them. These are common sales tools you’ll probably use once you land the job.
The goal here isn’t to pitch anyone; rather, it’s to learn.
Talk to Their Customers
Contact one or two of the company’s customers and engage in a conversation with them.
Be straightforward and honest.
Message example:
“Hi [Name], I’m looking at an opportunity to join the sales team at [Company Name]. Before I reach out, I wanted to hear from a user of their product. Mind sharing your experience with me?”
Most people will answer, because no one has ever asked them this.
Listen to what they say. Ask them what they love, what could be better, and how responsive the team is.
You’re not just collecting opinions; you’re learning how the company actually delivers value.
Take that feedback to the founder or sales head.
Once you’ve gathered insights, message the founder, sales head, or hiring manager.
The answer to this would be that one should not try to convince someone unless it is absolutely necessary.
“I spoke with one of your customers to understand how they view your product. Here’s what I learned…”
Then summarize the feedback – what customers appreciate, what could improve, and how you’d use that knowledge to sell better.
That one line separates you from 99% of the job applicants. You’ve already demonstrated curiosity, resourcefulness, and ownership-the building blocks of great sales.
Ask for an Opportunity
Once you’ve shared the feedback, be forthright:
“I’d love to get an opportunity to join your sales team. I’ve done some groundwork to understand your product and your customers. If given a shot, I will prove that I can bring more customers like them.”
You’re not asking for a job. You’re showing you’ve already started doing it.
Learn the Tools of the Trade
Even if you’re not using them yet, research some free tools you’ll encounter in any real sales environment.
Free or Basic Tools:
- Google Sheets / Notion: track prospects and follow-ups.
- LinkedIn Search & Voice Notes – reach decision-makers authentically.
- Google Voice / WhatsApp – practice cold outreach.
- Calendly / Google Calendar: schedule calls cleanly.
Good to Research (You’ll Use Later):
- Apollo.io, Crunchbase, LinkedIn Sales Navigator – for prospecting and lead research once you’re inside a company.
Knowing these tools helps you understand how modern sales pipelines work, even before you’ve joined one.
Where This Works Best
This approach works best for companies where your initiative actually gets noticed.
- Small to mid-size companies where founders or sales heads are accessible.
- Startups that publicize their customers on their websites or case studies.
- Teams that are young and hungry, where curiosity is valued more than experience.
It may not work as well for large enterprises or rigid hiring systems, but those aren’t where you’ll learn sales as a fresher anyway.
This is a method that thrives when hustle and initiative still count.
What Happens Next
Nine out of ten founders or sales leaders will give you an opportunity.
Not because of your feedback.
But because of what your process says about you.
You have shown that you can find prospects, build relationships, extract insights, and pitch. You’ve done the whole selling cycle before you were even hired. And the one that doesn’t respond? That’s your cue.
They don’t care about customers or curiosity. And, nobody cares about them. Avoid them.
Final Thought
Sales isn’t about smooth talk. It’s about curiosity and follow-through.
You don’t need permission to prove you can sell. You only need one customer conversation to illustrate how you think.
The best salespeople don’t apply for jobs. They demonstrate them.
If you’d like me to create more such content, connect with me and let’s brainstorm:
LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsirsmiles/
X (Twitter) 👉 https://x.com/jagsirsmiles
For Founders
If you’re a founder who wants to build a sales team that sells this way, with curiosity, proactivity, and customer obsession, let’s talk.
Hire me as your Fractional CMO, and I’ll help you build a sales system that grows through initiative, not instruction.
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