I recently started a new career in auto sales. By "recently," I mean five days ago. I've sold half a car. That's the wording in the biz. It means I assisted another salesperson in a deal that became a sale, or he assisted me, which is, of course, the actual case.
In sales, in order to make a living, a person needs to sell something. I sold myself the other day. And I'm so proud.
I was in the customer lounge, right outside the office where a customer of mine was working out the numbers with my assistant manager, and this guy came up to me and commented on the wait. He and I talked at length about just how long buying a car can take.
After chatting for fifteen minutes, I notice my customer leaving the office, so I excuse myself and ask him what's going on. The numbers can't be worked out, so he's leaving. I do my "sorry it didn't work out, here's my business card" shpeel (which is, in fact, quite lovely and sincere), he leaves, and to my surprise, the man I've been talking to asks for my business card and informs me that he's a business owner and will do his business with me in the future. He just bought a truck and is buying another next week, and he's going to send all his employees and business contacts to me as well. He knows I'm still horribly green, but I'll do everything in my power to make the buying experience painless and perhaps even pleasant.
The moral of the story is, be yourself, and you'll go far. Yay, me! I can't sell anything but myself, but in this case, it's perfectly acceptable.