For Sales Starters: Our Comprehensive Guide for an Unrivalled Sales Career in Switzerland

What are the tasks and responsibilities of a Sales professional?

What we can confidently say is this:  A sales job in Switzerland is a dynamic career that keeps you on your toes.

Your primary responsibility will be to drive the company's revenue growth by 

• identifying potential clients, 
• understanding their needs, 
• and persuading them to purchase the company’s products or services. 

Your day-to-day tasks will include establishing strong relationships with prospective clients, maintaining existing client relationships, and negotiating contracts with the aim of maximizing profits.

What to expect in Sales?

Sales is not just about transactions; it's about 

• building relationships,
• understanding people's needs 
• and helping them find the right solutions. 

If you're someone who loves connecting with people, enjoys challenges, and thrives in a fast-paced environment, then a sales job could be your calling.

But be aware: it’s not just phone jobs, or knocking on doors either. You may also be required to attend networking events or trade shows to generate leads. 

Additionally, you might have targets or quotas to meet each month or quarter. Some people thrive in this environment, while others find it stressful…

What are the myths about Sales jobs?

We love our role as Mythbusters! Here we go with the most common sales myths:

‍1. Myth: Language Barriers Limit Opportunities - While Switzerland is a multilingual country, the belief that not speaking all national languages limits sales opportunities isn't entirely accurate. Many companies operate internationally and use English as their business language, so proficiency in English often suffices, especially in larger cities and international firms.

2. Myth: All Sales Jobs are Commission-Based - This is a common belief about sales roles everywhere, not just in Switzerland. While many sales positions do offer commission as part of their compensation package, there are also plenty of salaried positions available. 

3. Myth: Sales Is Just About Persuasion and Aggressiveness - Wrong! In reality, successful sales in Switzerland, as in many places, are more about building relationships, understanding customer needs, and providing tailored solutions. American selling will be frowned upon…

What are the competencies required for a Sales professional?

1. Advanced Sales Expertise: Mastery of the sales process is crucial, especially emphasizing negotiation tactics that align with the Swiss market's preference for discreet and respectful business dealings. Proficiency in areas like client prospecting, lead generation, and maintaining high standards of customer service and relationship management is essential.
2. In-Depth Understanding of Swiss Market Dynamics: This includes a grasp of the regional differences within Switzerland, varying business cultures across its linguistic regions, and an understanding of the high value placed on quality and precision in Swiss commerce.
3. Specialized Product Expertise: Given the sophisticated nature of the Swiss market, a deep and comprehensive understanding of your product or service is vital. This should encompass not just features and benefits but also nuanced technical knowledge, particularly for products or services in specialized fields like finance, pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, or high-tech industries.

What qualities are required for a Sales professional?

1. Culturally Informed Communication: In Switzerland's diverse business landscape, sales professionals must possess not only excellent verbal and written communication skills but also cultural sensitivity. This means understanding the nuances of Swiss business etiquette and customer expectations, which can vary across different linguistic regions.
2. Targeted Persuasion Skills: Effective persuasion in the Swiss market often requires a more understated approach, emphasizing precision, reliability, and quality — traits highly valued in Swiss commerce. Sales professionals should focus on understanding and aligning with the specific needs and values of Swiss customers, presenting solutions that directly address these aspects.
3. Nuanced Emotional Intelligence: The ability to discern and respond appropriately to the emotional and social dynamics of Swiss clients is crucial. In Switzerland, trust and discretion are key. So, sales professionals should leverage emotional intelligence to foster long-term client relationships, skillfully navigate objections, and close deals with a focus on mutual respect and integrity.

What is the future of Sales?

There are several evolving trends and market dynamics shaping the sales profession:

1. Shift Towards Consultative Selling: Customers are becoming more informed and discerning. So, sales professionals in Switzerland will need to adopt a consultative approach. This involves offering tailored solutions, rather than just focusing on transactional sales.
2. Increased Focus on Relationship Building: The biggest cost lies in acquiring customers. So, building long-term customer relationships will become even more crucial. Sales professionals will need to nurture trust and loyalty with clients, to retain them longer.
3. Adaptation to Remote and Digital Sales: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend towards remote selling and digital engagement. Sales professionals will likely continue to leverage virtual meetings, online presentations, and digital sales tools.
4. Importance of Cross-Functional Skills: Sales roles will demand a broader skill set, including digital literacy, marketing knowledge, and an understanding of supply chain and logistics, especially in sectors like technology and pharmaceuticals, where Switzerland has a strong market presence.

How to best start a career in Sales?

By now, you know you want to get your foot in the door. But how best to get started?

1. Industry Specialization: Switzerland excels in various sectors like finance, pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, and technology. Specializing in sales within one of these industries can provide a competitive edge. Gain in-depth knowledge and skills relevant to your chosen sector through specialized training or industry-related work experience.
2. Professional Networking and Relationship Building: Building relationships is key in the Swiss business culture, and networking can open doors to opportunities and provide valuable market insights. As a future sales professional, this will be your bread and butter anyway…
3. Sales Training and Certifications: This is not a must, but investing in formal sales training programs or certifications that are recognized in Switzerland can enhance your attractiveness to potential employers. Your main selling point, though, will always be to demonstrate previous sales accomplishments.

How to find the best Sales jobs that suit you?

Now we come to our favourite topic!  

The answer lies in understanding what Swiss employers are looking for. 

1. They value candidates who demonstrate initiative, adaptability, and a strong customer focus. 
2. They appreciate those who can communicate effectively in multiple languages - particularly German, French, Italian or English. 
3. Above all else, they want individuals who are eager to learn and do the grind. 

And how better to showcase that other than standing out through video application?

At MoonWork : Plate-forme suisse de l'emploi avec vidéo & AI Matching, you can create a video application within a few minutes, which you can use to apply for jobs on the moonwork platform as well as outside of moonwork. Especially in sales, this will show courage, and gut, and guarantee to make a remark on the hiring manager. You got this!