Niche: How to discover your true passion and interests
I am convinced that you can only become truly successful if you develop a passion for what you do. Because then it comes naturally and motivation comes automatically. The worst thing you can do is accept a job only because of the money, or only because of a title you are pursuing.
You’re never going to keep that up for long!
At some point, you get annoyed with the grind and can no longer muster the motivation. This is because you fail to make that special connection with the company, the brand and the industry you work in. This leads to boredom and can eventually lead to stress burnout.
Anyway, how do you know which industry best suits you as a person and your personal interests? How can you be sure you are making the right choice, because the choice you make now will be very decisive for your personal growth and development.
To do so, I’ve created a roadmap that I’m going to share with you below. That way you can be sure that you are making the right informed choice and choosing something that really suits you. Here we go….
Successfully apply for the best jobs with the highest salaries within your expertise in 9 steps
Step 1: Take your time
Take your time and find a quiet place where you can brainstorm with yourself alone, without being disturbed.
Step 2: Writing down interests
Write down on paper all your personal interests and hobbies. Make sure you write down at least ten of them. What topics are you most interested in? Which brands and companies appeal to you the most? Which companies would you most like to work for if things like education and qualifications did not matter?
Are you struggling to get unstuck and looking for inspiration? Then take a look on Google in settings at what topics you searched for the most, or on YouTube what videos you watched the most and what topics.
Feel free to drink a few beers to loosen up! Yes! This is totally in total order and heartily recommended if you are going to brainstorm and need to loosen up a bit. A similar effect can be achieved when you exercise. Then while working out or running, ideas will also be released. If you choose the beer option, drink in moderation so that your brainstorming session does not get out of hand.
Step 3: Write down favorite companies
Make a second list of companies, branches and industries that are experiencing strong growth now or in the future. For example at the time I’m writing this, it’s 2020. Now in telecom that I like, these are 5G technology, virtual reality, Internet of Things or data centers. Also, for example, think about certain developments, such as increasing demand for drugs and medical devices. Write down as many as you can. Use the Internet to make the list as complete as possible.
Step 4: Consulting friends
Ask your very best friends who know you very well what they think would suit you in terms of interests, business and industry. After all, they know you very well. You can use their feedback to compare with your own list.
Step 5: Shortlisting
Now shortlist your listings. This will leave you with the five most relevant, strong companies. Along with your main interests.
Step 6: Compare
Now we are going to intensively compare the five industries/businesses and five interests. I assume, that at this point you already have a personal preference for three of the five. It is important to find out, for which options the job and career potential will be best?
Ask yourself the following questions, “What does the future look like financially for these companies. Will they continue to grow in the coming years and how will an economic crisis affect these companies?”
We really don’t need to do a super-intensive analysis on this. As long as we have a good understanding of whether the services and products the company produces remain relevant. Is there a guaranteed demand now and in the future? Then these are the companies you would ideally want to choose in the end.
Step 7: International activities
Now see which of these companies operates internationally. That’s where you’d prefer to work in sales! Even though you may be going to work in a sales position, with your main geographic market being your own country, you still want to be able to “do some extra international business.” This is only possible with companies that also operate abroad and have customers there.
There are definitely going to be times in the future when you are going to find international opportunities from your own network, or at a trade show. By cashing in and closing those opportunities from time to time, you can earn a lot more bonus.
Why sell yourself short?
Therefore, I want you to make a choice for the greatest earning potential! Therefore, think much further and broader than just in your own country and language. Do you already speak several languages? Then this is your chance to use that knowledge to start earning even more!
Step 8: Familiar names and brands
Furthermore, it is heartily recommended to choose the bigger well-known names in your list. Let me explain to you why this can be so important. After all, everyone knows big international companies and well-known brands.
It is much easier to sell!
You get more windfalls faster compared to companies and brands that are not yet widely known. There are also far fewer objections for your potential customers not to buy from your company. After all, it is already an established name and that exudes confidence. For the customer, the final buying decision can be made much easier and faster. You are going to earn more sales bonus as a result and you will reach your targets faster!
Ideally, and I’ve always done this myself in my own career, select a publicly traded company. That really represents name recognition and confidence!
If you have worked for a listed company and want to change jobs, you also have an edge. Unlike other candidates, you will be hired much easier and faster because they know and respect your current employer, the listed company. There is a kind of virtual quality mark around former employees of large well-known listed companies. People think, “If he worked for this company and was hired, he must be a good candidate!”
Step 9: Learning potential
Finally, choose that employer where you can learn unique specialized skills and knowledge. These are very specific niche knowledge that can be incredibly valuable in the marketplace. For example, in my case: data centers, interconnect of networks and global data connectivity. That is very specific and in demand knowledge and experience in the market.
As you gain more experience and skills, you get paid more and more and can ask for more salary. After all, no employer wants this knowledge to disappear to the competition. I guarantee you, that with this knowledge and experience you will also be found faster by headhunters and recruiters. Gaining specialized knowledge and skills is also going to help you tremendously to become self-employed faster and thus earn much more money for yourself to manage your own time. But more on that, later in this book!
Now that you have gone through these steps, you have been able to make a very careful choice. You have a clear picture of your ideal industry and employer! In the next chapter, I’m going to show you how to apply for the ideal job opening, and if it’s not currently online, exactly how to write an open application.
I am going to make sure that you will almost always be invited to job interviews. If you do not get invited, at least everyone will know who you are! You will know with 100% certainty and 100% confidence, that this was the ultimate missed opportunity for this company. What a missed opportunity, that they let you walk away and didn’t hire you!
Maybe give them a chance later, but at triple the salary!
You have now, over the years, become worth at least extra … Thanks to the indispensable knowledge, experience and successes you did gain at another employer.
Source
The corporate sales winners handbook: Transform your life and become a maximum top salesperson by Gerrit Jan de Vries. Available on Amazon, Google Play Books and Bol.com.