Kati Koos of San Francisco has been in sales since she was in grammar school. "I began working Christmas holidays in a family friend's clothing store when I was 13 and I was hooked," she laughs. "One afternoon when I was in college in the Bay Area, I took the bus into San Francisco and decided I would look for a job at the first place the bus stopped."

So when the bus lumbered to a stop on Market Street she got off and walked into the (now closed) Emporium store where they were hiring for a sales position. She took a short test and management hired her to be "on call."

Persistence Pays

"Every day I sat in the personnel office until the manager asked me why I was there," she remembers. "I said I was on call and the manager laughed and said, 'No, no, you don't understand. That means we'll call if we need you.'"

Koos told her supervisor that if the store needed a salesperson that day, she was already there. Her persistence paid off and she landed a permanent job. She soon switched her educational focus from college pre-med to a sales training program, and started her quick ascent up the sales ladder as an assistant buyer and then buyer for a large Sacramento store.

Now she finds herself on the other side of the interviewer's desk. "When I look for salespeople in my store I don't care about the qualifications most employers care about," she confides. "I don't care if they have sales experience or any product knowledge, and I don't care about their personal goals. What I do care about is their personality, if they are smart, enjoy being with people, and that they enjoy what they do." It also helps to park your problems at home, she advises.

She believes she can train people about sales and products, but enthusiasm and 'smarts' aren't qualities that can be picked up in a classroom. People who are consumer-oriented definitely have potential. But Koos is not a fan of high-pressure tactics, noting that some otherwise talented salespeople can be overly aggressive, selling customers what they don't need.

"My credo is to sell items that make a customer happy," Koos declares. "My store is filled with whimsical and unusual artwork, clothing and candles that are perfect for satisfying the soul."

She admits sales are not suitable for every personality because it's more than just making money. "You need to have an upbeat, cheerful personality," she advises. "Having that and passing it along to customers is certainly cheaper than therapy."

People with Drive

The transition from the relative solitude of a computer job to the fiercely competitive world of auto sales is not a step for the meek or timid. But Dominik Overstreet, sales manager of S&C Ford in San Francisco, did it with drive and enthusiasm.

"I came from an Internet background and decided I wanted to be more involved with people rather than just having a relationship with my computer. I like cars and I like the people. So, I was fortunate to find a job that put the two together."

If you are looking for a sales position, Overstreet says first impressions are much more important that what is typed on your resume. And he has some practical advice.

"I would suggest candidates get their appearance together first," he counsels. "For men, that means buying a good-looking (not necessarily expensive) suit that fits, and a good shirt and tie."

Emailing a resume is acceptable to apply for most jobs, but a sales position requires a more individual touch. Overstreet "pounded the pavement" and met many sales managers personally to see if he fit in with the company. That approach proved very effective.

"Employers want to see the 'glint' in your eye and feel a firm handshake," he observes. "Sales are all about how you enjoy interacting with people. So, if you are a hermit you don't want to be in this business."

It is one of the few occupations where education matters least. Product knowledge and selling yourself outweigh a hefty academic resume.

"One key to a successful sales career is using body language effectively," Overstreet continues. "I would suggest reading books on the subject and perhaps taking some acting classes so people will feel comfortable with you. But, most importantly, never stop learning."

Self-Starters Get Credit

Tarik Smith, president of California Credit Solutions in Concord, is looking for candidates who are friendly, hard working and self-motivated.

"Above all, we need salespeople who are self-starters," he explains. "We are a growing credit service company and we train on site, so the only background we require is that spark of self-confidence. The amount of salary is also up to the salesperson. Employees work their own hours as little or as much as they want."

Smith began his career as a mortgage broker and continually came in contact with people who did not have sufficient credit scores to buy a home. He began referring clients and then bought the company, which helps people restore their credit. Staffers help sell prospective clients on the different service packages available.

"We are a truly service-oriented business, period," he emphasizes. "We're helping those who have had credit issues that are still holding them back from enjoying a better life."

Smith says the first thing he notices about job candidates is their smile and if it warms him. Other factors for jobseekers to remember are proper use of grammar, making eye contact and overall professionalism.

"You are the face of my company and its representative," he declares. "Our positions are the highest paid and, I think, the easiest. Best of all, there is no need to go to school for 13 years because it's a people business."

If the job description sounds intriguing, Smith has one more piece of advice: "Give me a call. We train our staff and we are looking to fill specific openings in a wide range of sales.

"I'm willing to give anyone a shot at success."