WOMEN WHO SELL WITH CLAIRE TURLEY

‘Women Who Sell’ is all about showcasing women who sell and are thriving and challenging stereotypes. We feature real perspectives of what it’s like, the barriers and the breakthroughs.

Here, Claire Turley International Sales Manager at Acacium Group shares her take.

What is your job title?

International Sales Manager.

How did you get into sales and what makes it the career of your choice?

My sales career started when I joined Hays back in 2007.

Recruitment is an excellent way of starting in sales and Hays were the best at training their newbies to do well. They push their people really hard, and you must be exceedingly resilient, but it gave me such a good base to start my sales journey.

I moved into sales management in 2011 when I worked for Trinity Mirror and I absolutely loved it, watching and helping people develop and grow into amazing salespeople is so rewarding, and so many of the people who have worked for me have gone on to be great managers and that is the best bit about my job. Obviously working in sales is also about the money, once you get that first bonus you’re hooked, but alongside that, the thing that motivates me is making my team successful. They win I win, it’s a great feeling!

Are there any barriers you have faced as a woman working in sales, and how have you overcome them?

So interestingly, I feel there is a perception that sales is very male orientated but over my career I have always worked for and with incredibly successful women, which has always inspired me to do well and I’ve learned so much from them.

I think being a woman in sales makes you tough and resilient as you do come across quite a lot of A-grade alpha males but also I think women have a lot of advantages over men in sales too. Women support one another and help you through the tough times and very often will act as cheerleaders for their colleagues. I don’t think a lot of men have that same support (except from their female colleagues).

But on the flip side I’ve worked for some awful female bosses who thought that they needed to be super hard to get ahead and that was a shame. In my experience that does not work, being a good person wins every time.

What do you like the most about being a woman in sales?

Sales is just a great career choice if you like working with people. As I said I love coaching and mentoring my team to be the best and that has undoubtedly been the best bit. I am a single mum so being able to earn a lot of money to support my son was absolutely key.

Being in sales has allowed me to do that and I believe I have been an excellent role model for him, I wasn’t a very academic person growing up, but have had a very successful career and this has been because anyone can do well in sales with the right work ethic and determination to succeed. I love this about the industry.

What advice do you have for a woman wanting to get into sales and those wanting to advance?

Set yourself a goal, a career path and stick to it.

Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done as it can.

Get your game face on and push on through the tough times - it’s all there you just have to take it.

I have made the best of friends over the years I have worked in sales. Don’t be afraid to rely on people you work with - asking for help is not a weakness it’s a strength. Ask the most successful woman in your organisation to mentor you and learn from her. You got this!!!