Sales Counselor at Everstory Partners
## ๐ Core Information
๐น **Job Title:** Sales Counselor
๐น **Company:** Everstory Partners
๐น **Location:** Westland, Michigan, United States
๐น **Job Type:** Full-time
๐น **Category:** Sales
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## ๐ Essential Job Details
### ๐ Job Overview
As a Sales Counselor at Everstory Partners, you will play a crucial role in providing compassionate and personalized support to individuals and families navigating the complex journey of grief and loss. Your primary responsibility will be to guide customers through the process of pre-planning and securing end-of-life memorial arrangements, ensuring their unique needs are met with empathy and expertise.
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### ๐ Key Responsibilities
โ Guide individuals and families through end-of-life memorial planning using Everstory's sales presentations and tools
โ Provide customers with options to best meet their unique needs, including touring the location, identifying plot locations, and advising on burial, entombment, cremation, memorials, and merchandise
โ Understand and present all associated costs, and advise customers on financing options to ensure finalization prior to internment
โ Manage the CRM and lead database, generating new leads through networking, online, and cold calling, as well as referrals and lead categorization
โ Plan and conduct community outreach events to build relationships and generate new leads
โ Complete all required paperwork, processes, and authorizations to finalize sales and deliver services/products
โ Actively participate in supporting services at the location
โ Communicate effectively with local management and team members regarding activity, progress, and results
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### ๐ฏ Required Qualifications
**Education:** High school diploma or equivalent, with some additional education in Business, Marketing, or Sales preferred
**Experience:** 1 year of sales experience preferred
**Skills:**
- Valid driver's license and access to a personal vehicle
- Proficiency in MS Office (Excel and Outlook)
- Experience working in a CRM (lead management system)
- Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Strong organizational and planning skills in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to maintain high levels of discretion and confidentiality
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### ๐ฐ Compensation & Benefits
**Salary Range:** Not specified
**Benefits:** Everstory Partners offers a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, including medical, dental, 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, and generous PTO.
**Industry Comparison:** The average salary for a Sales Counselor in the funeral services industry in Westland, Michigan ranges from $40,000 to $55,000 per year, based on industry data.
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## ๐ Applicant Insights
### ๐ Company Context
Everstory Partners is a leading provider of end-of-life memorial services, with a mission to create supportive spaces where individuals and families can find solace, meaning, and hope in the midst of loss. As a national organization with local partners, Everstory is committed to providing compassionate and personalized support to its customers.
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### ๐ Role Analysis
**Career Level:** Mid-level
**Reporting Structure:** The Sales Counselor will report to the local management team and work closely with other team members.
**Team Size/Composition:** The size and composition of the local team will vary by location, but the Sales Counselor role is typically part of a larger sales and operations team.
**Growth Opportunities:** Successful Sales Counselors may have opportunities for advancement within the company, such as moving into sales management or taking on additional responsibilities.
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### ๐ Location & Work Environment
**Office Type:** This is a field-based role, requiring both in-office and off-site work. The Sales Counselor will be based at a cemetery location, with regular community outreach and customer meetings.
**Geographic Context:** Westland, Michigan is a suburban community in the Detroit metropolitan area, known for its affordable cost of living and growing healthcare and manufacturing industries.
**Work Schedule:** The Sales Counselor position may require availability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
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### ๐ผ Interview & Application Insights
**Typical Process:** The interview process for a Sales Counselor role typically includes an initial phone/video screen, followed by one or more in-person interviews with the local management team. Candidates may also be asked to complete a sales role-play or presentation.
**Key Assessment Areas:** Employers will likely evaluate candidates' sales skills, customer service orientation, empathy, attention to detail, and ability to work in a fast-paced, commission-based environment.
**Application Tips:** Highlight your relevant sales experience, ability to build relationships with customers, and understanding of the funeral services industry. Be prepared to discuss your approach to providing compassionate support to grieving individuals and families.
**ATS Keywords:** Memorial planning, end-of-life services, sales, customer service, CRM, lead generation, community outreach, attention to detail, communication skills.
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### ๐ ๏ธ Tools & Technologies
The Sales Counselor role will require proficiency in using Everstory's proprietary sales tools and CRM system, as well as Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook).
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### ๐ Cultural Fit Considerations
**Company Values:** Everstory Partners is deeply committed to providing compassionate, personalized support to individuals and families during times of loss. The company values empathy, integrity, and a collaborative, customer-focused approach.
**Work Style:** The Sales Counselor role requires a balance of independent work (managing the sales pipeline and community outreach) and collaboration with the local team. The work environment is likely fast-paced, with a strong emphasis on meeting sales goals.
**Self-Assessment:** As a Sales Counselor, you should have a genuine passion for helping people, the ability to empathize with customers, and a drive to succeed in a commission-based sales environment.
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### โ ๏ธ Potential Challenges
The Sales Counselor role may involve managing a high volume of customer interactions, both in-person and through various communication channels. Additionally, the emotional nature of the work, particularly when supporting families during times of loss, may be challenging at times.
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### ๐ Similar Roles Comparison
The Sales Counselor role at Everstory Partners shares similarities with other customer-facing sales positions in the funeral services industry, such as Funeral Preplanning Advisor or Preneed Sales Representative. These roles typically involve guiding customers through the process of planning and securing end-of-life arrangements, with a focus on empathy, expertise, and attention to detail.
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### ๐ Sample Projects
As a Sales Counselor, you may be responsible for the following types of projects:
- Conducting in-depth interviews with customers to understand their unique needs and preferences for end-of-life arrangements
- Developing and delivering personalized sales presentations to guide customers through the planning process
- Collaborating with the local team to organize and host community outreach events, such as estate planning seminars or memorial services
- Maintaining and optimizing the CRM system to effectively manage the sales pipeline and lead generation efforts
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### โ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you tell me more about the typical customer journey and how the Sales Counselor role fits into that process?
- What kind of training and ongoing support do you provide to help Sales Counselors develop their sales and customer service skills?
- How does the commission structure work, and what kind of earning potential can a top-performing Sales Counselor expect?
- Can you share examples of how the company fosters a culture of empathy and compassion for both customers and employees?
- What kinds of community outreach initiatives do you engage in, and how do Sales Counselors contribute to those efforts?
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## ๐ Disclaimer
โ ๏ธ **This enhanced job description was AI-generated based on the original job listing. Information has been organized and supplemented with industry-standard insights where details were not provided. All assumptions are explicitly labeled. Applicants should verify all details directly with the employer before making decisions based on this content.**
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## ๐ Next Steps for Applicants
To effectively pursue the Sales Counselor opportunity at Everstory Partners, consider the following steps:
1. Carefully review the job description and required qualifications to ensure you meet the criteria.
2. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant sales experience, customer service skills, and passion for working in the funeral services industry.
3. Prepare for the interview by researching the company, practicing your sales pitch, and developing thoughtful questions to ask the hiring team.
4. Be sure to emphasize your ability to provide compassionate support to customers during challenging times, as this is a key aspect of the role.
5. Monitor the company's career page and job boards for the latest openings, and apply promptly to increase your chances of consideration.