CAREER GROWTH STORY: Janelle
Building a Career in Sales: Meet Janelle, an Outside Sales Representative Trainee
The best salespeople don’t start by pitching a product. They start by asking a question.
That’s one of the biggest lessons Janelle has learned through The Home Depot’s Outside Sales Representative Trainee (OSRT) program, but it’s also what first sparked her interest in a sales career. “I became interested in sales after learning about consultative selling in one of my classes at Texas A&M University,” Janelle says. “The idea of partnering with customers to solve their problems seemed like a rewarding challenge.”
What Inspired Janelle to Apply for The Home Depot’s Outside Sales Representative Trainee Program?
Janelle learned about The Home Depot’s Outside Sales Representative Trainee program while attending a sales competition in college. “I realized that this was a special opportunity to begin a career at an amazing company,” she shares. “As I met more associates throughout the interview process and heard about their career journeys, I knew that this was an opportunity I could not pass up.”
What Is The Home Depot’s Outside Sales Representative Trainee Program?
The OSRT program is a 10 to 12 month rotational program where early career sales graduates build the knowledge, tools, and hands-on experience they need to support our Pros as Outside Sales Representatives. Based in Atlanta, the OSRT cohort learns from leaders and associates across our corporate offices and stores. In the final month of the program, participants will relocate to their assigned markets to complete the final rotation ahead of their full-time placement.
The program has provided a strong foundation for Janelle to understand both the Outside Sales business and the Pro customer. “This program is designed to set you up for success as an Outside Sales Representative,” she says.
We learn about Home Depot’s products, partnerships, and customers while strengthening our selling skills.
– Janelle
Through the program, Janelle has studied the phases of construction, explored Home Depot’s different product categories, learned from vendors, and practiced her approach in sales role plays. “Each week is ultimately focused on understanding the Pro customers and how we can support them,” she says. “But no two weeks are exactly the same.”
What Makes the Outside Sales Representation Trainee Program Special?
Mentorship is built into every step of the OSRT journey. Janelle meets with her mentor every month and learns from associates who’ve spent years working with Pro customers. “I have felt so fortunate to have so many people pouring into me and rooting for my success, and I think that is something special about The Home Depot,” Janelle shares. Home Depot’s supportive culture is something that she noticed from the start. “I’m lucky to be a part of a company that truly lives by its core values.”
How Does the OSRT Program Build Consultative Selling Skills?
The skill that first drew Janelle to sales has become her biggest area of growth. "Instead of immediately trying to sell a product, I've learned the importance of asking deeper discovery questions and active listening," Janelle says. "Understanding my Pros' challenges will help me find the right solution to each customer's needs."
The opportunity to spend a rotation working in our stores has shown her how much Pros value this approach. "Although they typically manage multiple projects at once, the Pros that I have met in the store have been willing to take the time to explain their projects and goals to me," she says. "They really trust Home Depot to provide them with the partners that can meet their needs."
Janelle has also discovered just how important it is to build relationships in sales. “I originally thought I would have to become an expert on every product,” Janelle admits. “But I’ve learned that the relationships we build with our vendors, merchants, and stores are just as important for serving our Pro customers.”
Why Is Janelle Excited to Become an Outside Sales Representative at The Home Depot?
In the OSRT program, Janelle is surrounded by a cohort of top sales talent that shares her ambition. “Being around people with the same drive for success and excitement to learn has helped create a really great experience,” she says. “Getting to know the other OSRTs has been one of my favorite parts of the program.”
Janelle is still early in her career journey, but the trajectory is clear. She’s building confidence, sharpening her skills, and growing into the kind of sales professional who can walk onto a jobsite and earn a Pro’s trust. “Everyone knows about the retail capabilities of The Home Depot, but our next chapter is focused on growing the Pro business,” Janelle says. “I am excited to start my sales career at The Home Depot and I feel confident in my future as an Outside Sales Representative.”
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