Editor’s note: This article was first published in April 2010, during Spain’s economic crisis; its references to the crisis and to companies selling less than before it reflect that moment.
If you’re unemployed and have been looking for work for a while without any results, it may be time to consider other paths.
You could think about starting a business of your own, but a business requires investment, unless you find a way to set up your own business at no cost to you, or share it with someone in the same sector whose knowledge is different from yours but complementary.
When we talk about setting up your own business at no cost, we’re talking about the freelance sales agent.
These days, plenty of companies are eager to sell their products, but they’re afraid to hire someone in case the working relationship doesn’t work out. What better way to prove your worth than by earning some money and, once you’ve proved it, having the chance of a job?
No company will tell you: “No, please, don’t sell my products.” This applies to the vast majority of sectors: insurance, cars, apartments, land and property, building materials, and so on.
A tip: don’t limit yourself to a single product, unless you think that by devoting yourself entirely to it you’ll get the best results.
Some people have made real fortunes this way, selling a bit of this and a bit of that. Once you get going, you’ll build up a good client portfolio and solid references, so that when one of the companies you’re selling for offers to hire you, you’ll probably see that carrying on by yourself is the better option.
A freelance agent works on commission, and the commissions tend to be very lucrative. With drive, sales experience and confidence in your abilities, this is a profession that knows no crisis. After all, if a company is still open, it’s because it’s still selling. Less than before the crisis? I’m sure it is. That’s exactly why it now needs good salespeople and freelance agents.
Featured image: stephaniejanelle, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr.
