How did I transition from being a waiter to sales?
There have been very few aspects in this life that I've said "I'm proud of" about myself.
One of them is - I never stand still.
Today, my salary allows me to live my life comfortably. But still, I say "it doesn't feel like enough" and chase after "what else can be done?"
When people say, "I don't have time," "I can't manage," I've always tried to manage. Because it's not always about talent. Sometimes, it's about doing what everyone else complains about.
Even when I was working as a waiter, those around me were reluctant to become order takers. Because the job involved sales, communication, and responsibility. In a few months, I moved to that position. I saw that I was good at it, it seemed to suit me. I worked more on my communication skills.
One day, when I was an order taker, I sold both a ribeye steak and a Canadian lobster to a customer. My manager Jeffrey cheered that "no one in room dining had done this before". That's when it "clicked" that I should pursue this job, this sales thing. From that moment on, I applied for sales-related experiences and job postings, taking advantage of opportunities. Thankfully, an offer came for a sales specialist position at Burj Al Arab, and I accepted it. Until this offer came, I participated in everything from reading books to unpaid internships. My advice to you:
1 - Don't stand still. Your brain will always try to put you in a comfort zone. It will say you're good, it's enough, relax. But your potential is higher than you can imagine.
2 - Don't shy away from working for free. Now many will tell you not to work where they don't pay. The one saying this is in a comfortable position. Do they ever tell you that they've been through the same path? Ignore it. If you see a chance and your situation allows, take advantage of it. (When I was working as an order taker, besides my 10-hour job, I did 2-3 hours of cross-training in another department - without a single penny)
3 - Listen to everyone, but listen to your inner voice. There are many who give advice from the outside, but the inner voice is rarely wrong.
4 - Don't be selective when opportunities arise. Even if it's not entirely to your liking, take advantage of it. Because in most cases, the doors we're looking for are at the end of corridors we don't expect.
That's all for today. Thank you for your time. Don't forget to share your thoughts about the article.
