Someone with fantastic sales skills is enormously attractive to employers in almost any sector. In fact, many careers today involve an aspect of sales even if they are not (strictly speaking) a sales role. So, it makes a big difference to hone an effective sales skill set – and these are just some of the ways that working in charity fundraising can help you do it.

1. Charity Fundraising Encourages you to Create Opportunities

Often, it’s the idea or perspective that the person you’re speaking to hasn’t thought of that will convince them to sign up and support your cause. Being able to identify and communicate that idea or perspective means you can create opportunities, instead of just waiting for them to happen.

2. Develop Educating through Communication

Many of the projects in charity fundraising need explaining to consumers – and this information can make all the difference to whether someone is willing to support, or not. That’s especially so as you’re educating them on how their support for your cause will also make a difference to their own lives. Being able to show someone how something will improve their lives gives them a reason to invest in it and that’s the basis of being a great salesperson.

3. Variety as an Energy

In Charity Fundraising no two situations are the same and learning how to navigate – and optimise – that will also give you a robust set of skills for any sales situation. Embracing variety and being able to effortlessly move from one situation to the next provides a firm foundation for confidently building relationships and communicating.

4. Charity Fundraising will develop your People Reading Skills

These are the skills that help you to know when to encourage , when to hold back, when to listen and when to apply all your communication skills to convince. There are many benefits to being able to read people, in sales and in life too.

5. A Positive Attitude

When you’re working in charity fundraising, you will develop a positive attitude that will provide a firm foundation for any other area of life, including a sales job. Looking for the positives, intentionally challenging negative narratives around rejection or failure and rewarding yourself for small steps achieved are all part of this.

6. Building Networks of Positive Relationships

These relationships are essential in both charity fundraising and sales – and also provide a lot of enjoyment and positive reinforcement. Relationship building is a key skill you’ll pick up in charity fundraising.

7. Accelerated Problem Solving

As a charity fundraiser you’ll get used to hearing objections and finding new ways around them that result in a positive outcome – that’s a powerhouse skillset to have in sales.

Develop your Future through Charity Fundraising

If you’re keen to improve your sales skills for a future version of yourself, a job in Charity Fundraising is a great place to start. Explore our live-in or local fundraising roles, and get in touch to continue the conversation.