The 500 largest sales forces in America employ more than 24 million salespeople.15 These companies will seek to recruit 500,000 college graduates. A large number of additional salespeople are employed by smaller companies. In addition, the number of new sales positions is consistently increasing and sales positions commonly rank among the jobs considered most in demand.16 A close examination of these positions reveals that there is no single “selling” occupation. Our labor force includes hundreds of different selling careers and, chances are, there are positions that match your interests, talents, and ambitions. The diversity within selling becomes apparent as you study the career options discussed in this chapter.

Although two-thirds of college graduates take jobs as salespeople,17 often it’s not their first career choice. Students tend to view sales as dynamic and active, but believe a selling career requires them to engage in deceitful or dishonest practices. The good news is that old stereotypes about sales are gradually going by the wayside. Students who study the careers of highly successful relationship salespeople discover that ethical sales practices represent the key to long-term success.